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More than 40 celebrities, including linguist Noam Chomsky, actor Steve Coogan and poet Kate Tempest, are backing Jeremy Corbyn for prime minister.

The famous faces have signed a letter supporting the Labour Party ahead of the General Election next week.

It states Mr Corbyn's leadership "offers a transformative plan that prioritises the needs of people and the planet over private profit and the vested interests of a few".

Other leading cultural figures on the list include film directors Mike Leigh and Ken Loach, the band Massive Attack and musician Roger Waters.

"We are alarmed by the global rise of far-right nationalism and the authoritarian turn taken by many governments following the global financial crash of 2008," the letter states.

(Image: Getty Images North America)

"We are shamed by extreme levels of inequality, neglect and environmental impoverishment resulting from decades of neoliberalism, in Britain and across the world.

"We are inspired by growing movements, from Chile to Lebanon and beyond, calling for dignity, accountability and economic justice.

"People are demanding a future that promises their children decent education, health, jobs and homes, and humane and sustainable solutions to the climate crisis."

The letter, which has been published online tonight, also accuses Boris Johnson and the Conservatives of having "nothing to offer but the prospect of an ever-more unequal and divided society, and dog-whistle politics".

(Image: Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)

The band Clean Bandit, actors Rob Delaney and Mark Rylance, and comedian Alexei Sayle are all also backing 70-year-old Mr Corbyn, who became Leader of the Opposition four years ago.

It continues: "Between hope and despair, the choice before British voters on 12 December could not be more stark or more urgent."

Author Naomi Klein, who also signed the letter, said: "The next government will hold power during fateful years on our planet's climate clock.

"There is only one leader who possesses both a path to victory and a bold plan on the scale of the crisis. That leader is Jeremy Corbyn."

(Image: Redferns)

Full list of the 40 celebrities

Ronan Bennett, writer and producer

Noam Chomsky, author

Chipo Chung, actor

Clean Bandit, band

Steve Coogan, actor

Rob Delaney, actor

David Edgar, playwright

Brian Eno, musician

Andrew Feinstein, film producer

Stephen Frears film director (Image: Redferns)

David Graeber, author

Steve Gribbin, comedian

Kane “Kano” Robinson, rapper

Asif Kapadia, film director

Aki Kaurismaki, film director

Peter Kennard, artist

AL Kennedy, author

Naomi Klein, author

Mike Leigh, director

Ken Loach, film director

Lowkey, rapper

Sabrina Mahfouz, playwright

Esther Manito, comedian

Michael Mansfield, barrister

Francesca Martinez, comedian

Massive Attack, band

Bill McKibben, author and co-founder

Robin Rimbaud (Scanner), musician

Michael Rosen, poet

Martin Rowson, cartoonist

Mark Rylance, actor

Alexei Sayle, comedian

Gillian Slovo, writer (Image: Getty Images)

Robyn Slovo, film producer

Ahdaf Soueif, author

Joelle Taylor, poet

Kate Tempest, musician

Jess Thom, artistic director

Mark Thomas, writer

Yanis Varoufakis, economist

Ashley Walters, actor

Roger Waters, musician

Benjamin Zephaniah, poet (Image: PA)

The campaign trails continued today meanwhile. Boris Johnson visited Salisbury, Wiltshire, and helped out behind the till at a butchers

Serving up sweets in front of a phalanx of cameras later, the prime minister, had to ask his team for a loan for a box of chocolate brownies.

Fumbling through his wallet, Johnson said: "I'm out of cash." Someone eventually handed him a £10 note.

Mr Corbyn, meanwhile, revealed he carries a little red book with him all over the country.

"The wisdom that is there amongst people all over the country is something that absolutely inspires me, I go around with a notebook everywhere," he said during a television interview, waving the book.