Politicsuk newsBernie SandersLarry Sanders

Bernie Sanders' Brother Larry Is Now The UK Green Party's Health Spokesman

Bernie Sanders' Brother Larry Is Now The UK Green Party's Health Spokesman
Ned Simons
|
Open Image Modal
Larry Sanders, older brother of United States presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, at his home in Oxford.
Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

The British Green Party has named Larry Sanders, brother of presidential candidate Bernie, as its new health spokesman.

Larry Sanders, who has lived in the UK since the 1960s, stood at the general election as the Green's candidate for Oxford West and Abingdon - coming in fifth place.

In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, the 81-year-old said while 2016 would be a "good year" for the Greens, the party was "not in the public’s eye as much as we should be".

"We’re the only party that is consistently speaking out against NHS privatisation and we know that the public will support us on this issue," he said.

Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(01 of24)
Open Image Modal
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders waves to supporters after officially announcing his candidacy for the U.S. presidency during an event at Waterfront Park on May 26, 2015 in Burlington, Vermont. (credit:Win McNamee via Getty Images)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(02 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders gathers with members of his family after officially announcing his candidacy for the U.S. presidency on May 26, 2015 in Burlington, Vermont. (credit:Win McNamee via Getty Images)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(03 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders delivers remarks while officially announcing his candidacy for the U.S. on May 26, 2015 in Burlington, Vermont. (credit:Win McNamee via Getty Images)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(04 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks to the media about his agenda for his presidential run on April 30, 2015, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (credit:AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(05 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders delivers remarks at a town meeting at the South Church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on May 27, 2015. (credit:Win McNamee via Getty Images)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(06 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders receives a standing ovation while speaking at a town meeting at the South Church on May 27, 2015 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. (credit:Win McNamee via Getty Images)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(07 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks in Burlington, Vt. on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 where he formally announced he will seek the Democratic nomination for president. (credit:AP Photo/Andy Duback)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(08 of24)
Open Image Modal
Supporters listen to Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders speak during a rally with local residents on Saturday, May 30, 2015, in Ames, Iowa. (credit:AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(09 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on June 3, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(10 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders, accompanied by Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), right, and others, speak on labor issues on Thursday, June 18, 2015, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (credit:AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(11 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a town hall meeting at Nashua Community College in Nashua, N.H. on Saturday, June 27, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(12 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at a campaign event at Drake University on June 12, 2015 in Des Moines, Iowa. (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(13 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders greets guests at a campaign event at Drake University on June 12, 2015 in Des Moines, Iowa. (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(14 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders greets guests at a campaign event at Drake University on June 12, 2015 in Des Moines, Iowa. (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(15 of24)
Open Image Modal
Buttons sit on a table during a campaign event for Sen. Bernie Sanders at Drake University on June 12, 2015 in Des Moines, Iowa. (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(16 of24)
Open Image Modal
Richard Rarick shows his support as he waits for the start of a campaign event for Sen. Bernie Sanders at Drake University on June 12, 2015 in Des Moines, Iowa. (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(17 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders chats with supporters during a visit to his Iowa campaign headquarters on June 13, 2015 in Des Moines, Iowa. (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(18 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a news conference to discuss legislation to restore pension guarantees for thousands of retired union workers, in front of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. on June 18, 2015. (credit:JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(19 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a town hall meeting on July 2, 2015 in Rochester, Minn. (credit:AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(20 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders greets local residents before walking in a Fourth of July parade on Saturday, July 4, 2015, in Waukee, Iowa. (credit:AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(21 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders greets local residents while walking in a Fourth of July parade on Saturday, July 4, 2015 in Waukee, Iowa. (credit:AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(22 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at a campaign rally on July 6, 2015 in Portland, Maine. (credit:AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(23 of24)
Open Image Modal
Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders attend a campaign rally on July 6, 2015, in Portland, Maine. (credit:AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Bernie Sanders On The Campaign Trail(24 of24)
Open Image Modal
Sen. Bernie Sanders arrives with his wife Jane at a campaign rally on July 6, 2015, in Portland, Maine. (credit:AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Larry Sanders said the Greens "just need to be given the opportunity" to tell British voters about the full extent of what’s being done by "hard-working Green councillors and activists up and down the country".

"If we want to make the nation healthier, we need to do it by investing in more than the NHS. For example, in housing, we need to insulate our homes better, a measure that could have a profound impact by making the poorest in our society warmer and healthier."

The Green Party currently has just one MP in parliament and failed to make a significant breakthrough at the May 2015 general election.

Leader Natalie Bennett may hope appointing the brother of a potential president of the United States could help the party gain more of the attention it needs.

Commenting on Bernie's run against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination, Larry said: "Bernie’s main platform is almost identical to the Green Party's."

Bernie Sanders won a convincing victory over Clinton in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday. The 74-year-old Senator secured 60% of the vote compared to Clinton's 38%.

SEE ALSO:Larry Sanders Tells HuffPost UK How Left-Wing Politics Can Win

Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip