Harry Potter Star Daniel Radcliffe Backs Jeremy Corbyn In Labour Race
Even Harry Potter Is Under Jeremy Corbyn's Spell
Sara C Nelson— The Huffington Post UK
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Labour leadership favourite Jeremy Corbyn has notched up the endorsement of yet another celebrity backer.
Daniel Radcliffe, who made his name playing JK Rowling’s schoolboy wizard Harry Potter, has spoken warmly about the MP, claiming he reminds him of a favourite teacher.
Talking to the Big Issue, Radcliffe said: “In the only sit-down, casual interview I have seen with Jeremy Corbyn, he talks about his allotment and making jam, so he reminds me in the loveliest way of my English teacher, who is someone I am very, very fond of – so he has a fast track to my heart!”
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Jeremy Corbyn is the favourite to win the Labour leadership vote
Radcliffe also praised the left-winger for “energizing” politics, stating: “It is incredible. It is just so nice to have people excited about somebody. It seems to be more or less because they are excited about sincerity.
“I think we all suddenly realized that we are so used to politicians lying. Even when they are being sincere, it feels so scripted that it is hard to get behind them.”
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Daniel Radcliffe has been spoken warmly about the Labour MP
Voting has now closed for the three-month contest and Corbyn is the favourite to win the ballot of 550,000 Labour members and supporters and succeed Ed Miliband on Saturday.
Further A-listers backing Corbyn include the comedian Russell Brand, singers Charlotte Church and Billy Bragg, actress Maxine Peake and Guardian columnist Owen Jones.
A round-up of all the biggest names backing those vying to lead Labour:
Who Is Backing Who In The Labour Leadership Race?
The Corbyn Collective(01 of04)
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The left-winger and front-runner has arguably the most high-profile backers, including genuine A-list celebrities: comedian Russell Brand, singer Charlotte Church and actress Maxine Peake. While notably Labour big beasts have made their opposition to a Corbyn leadership clear, pioneering MP and television regular Diane Abbott is in his corner. Guardian columnist Owen Jones has rejected his newspaper's line to get four-square behind the Islington North MP and the Daily Record, Scotland's biggest-selling daily, has come out for Corbyn.
The Brotherhood And Sisterhood Of Burnham(02 of04)
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The Shadow Health Secretary has healthy support. Ex-Labour Cabinet ministers David Blunkett and Margaret Beckett have swung behind the Leigh MP, as have current Shadow Cabinet members Hilary Benn, Michael Dugher and Rachel Reeves. The Mirror Group newspapers - The Mirror, Sunday Mirror, and The People - have printed editorials urging their readers to back Burnham. Former Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, now an MP, is a supporter. The celeb count includes actor David Walliams, comedian Steve Coogan, indie band The Courteeners, Liz McClarnon from Atomic Kitten, actor Stephen Tompkinson and ex-footballer Neville Southall. Abby Tomlinson, who became famous on social media for setting up an Ed Miliband fan club, or "Milfandom", is also on board.
Cooper's Troopers(03 of04)
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The Shadow Home Secretary's supporters are a noisy bunch. Labour grandee Alan Johnson, seen as one of the great leaders the party never had, urged members to "end the madness" of a possible Corbyn leadership by endorsing the Castleford MP. The actor and comedian Robert Webb said a Corbyn win was "almost designed by Tories to lose the next election" and he would back Ms Copper "without going mental or turning cartwheels or imagining that she is the answer to literally everything". Gordon Brown gave a speech warning Corbyn could damage international relations, before later revealing he would back his former ministerial colleague. His wife, Sarah, is a Cooper-ite too. Campaigner Baroness Doreen Lawrence was among 150 women from the Labour party and beyond to back her to lead. The Guardian newspaper has offered its support.
Kendall's Clan(04 of04)
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The outsider in the race, who has stood on a platform of the party needing to modernise, New Labour-like, was hailed for boasting "plain speaking, fresh thinking and political courage" by David Miliband. Another to give her their first preference vote is former Chancellor Alistair Darling, who said the Leicester West MP "recognises the scale of the challenge we face”. Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is a backer, as are current Labour frontbenchers Chuka Umunna, Emma Reynolds and Tristram Hunt. Blur drummer Dave Rowntree says she would make the best leader. "You have to win elections – there’s no benefit being right if nobody is going to put what you’re saying into action,” the musician said. The Sun newspaper said she is “the only prayer (Labour) have”.