Dave Rowntree, the drummer for the long-time UK indie revivalist group Blur, told The UK Independent that he plans to run for his local council as a Labour candidate in Marylebone.
“I’ve been a long-standing member of the Labour party and active in local politics for a while,” Rowntree said. (See video below)
“I’m a Westminster resident and in my experience of living here, it all looks lovely – there are hanging baskets everywhere – but you only need to scratch beneath the surface and see that there’s a lot of deprivation and a lot of inequality around. I think someone needs to do something about it.”
Despite his notoriety, Rowntree will have to campaign hard for the position because the Marylebone ward is traditionally conservative.
One fan – Lovelyrita – wrote on the band’s official message board: “I’m sure Damon [Damon Albarn, songwriter/founding member and singer] has always known Dave’s labour convictions, so I don’t think that can be a problem between them.
The problem for us, though is that if Dave is elected, well, I don’t think it’s very appropiated [sic] for a politician to play music in a band… even if that band is Blur. That’s my opinion, at least. So, let’s hope he doesn’t get elected… sorry, Dave.”
