Eddie Izzard to stand as Labour MP for Sheffield Central

Comic and movie star Eddie Izzard has officially launched her campaign to be selected to stand as Labour MP for Sheffield Central.

The constituency’s incumbent Labour MP, Paul Blomfield, announced in February that he was standing down at the next general election.

Although born in Yemen and schooled on the South Coast of England, Izzard has many connections to Sheffield as the city where she studied accounting, launched her creative career, ran one of her 43 marathons for Sport Relief and campaigned against the closure of the Leadmill music venue.

In a message on her campaign website, Izzard wrote that she wanted to “support the city that has supported me” as well as “take the fight to the Tories and get Keir Starmer into No 10”.

She added: “When I’m faced with a challenge, I work my hardest to deliver. This next challenge is the most important of my life and I need your help.”

Izzard said that the city had been “held back” by 12 years of Tory government. She added: “A Labour government will embolden Sheffield to achieve its true potential and I believe I am the right person to build on Paul Blomfield’s tireless work for this city.”

Izzard has already posted a campaign video to Twitter, although the next election is not expected until December 2024: 

Labour ideals of fairness and equality have been at the core of my life. I’m standing to be the next Labour MP for Sheffield Central to support the city that has supported me.

Please join me, in taking on this great challenge.https://t.co/aVjaLLga9L

For Sheffield. For Labour. pic.twitter.com/Mw6xK7cBXA

— Eddie Izzard for Sheffield Central (@EddieIzzardLab) October 11, 2022