<p> Eddie Izzard is standing for a place on Labour’s ruling executive.</p><p>Observers says the comedian and campaigner will be ‘hard to beat’ as his star status will galvanise support in the internal elections that traditionally have a low turnout.</p><p>Announcing his intentions to run for the national executive committee in an article for <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/eddie-izzard-am-standing-labour-7436733"> the Mirror</a>, Izzard said: ‘After many years of campaigning for Labour I want to take the next step and get more closely involved by representing members.’</p><p>A 20-year veteran of the party, he said: ‘I’m my own person, not standing as part of any slate. I’m a radical moderate. I do radical things with a moderate message.</p><p>‘My priority is to take the fight to the Tories on behalf of all of the people who desperately need a Labour government… I will stand up for ordinary people and fight against cuts and privatisation of our NHS and attacks on our trade unions while keeping the NEC focused on winning elections so that we can make Britain a fairer, kinder, more prosperous country.</p><p>I’m now a veteran of three general election campaigns, campaigning where it really counts - at grassroots level. I’ve put in the hours, the miles and the graft which I think make me worthy of an NEC candidate.’</p><p>Izzard is currently attempting to run 27 marathons in 27 days across South Africa, in honour of Nelson Mandela’s 27-year imprisonment and raising money for Sport Relief. Today is day three.</p><p><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rf2BNdYdURc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>



Published: 25 Feb 2016