PRESS RELEASE

CAMPAIGN MOUNTS TO RE-ELECT CAROLINE

Broadcaster Sir David Attenborough lends his voice to endorse the UK’s first Green MP –  national treasure amongst host of household names to support the re-election of Caroline Lucas

Joanna Lumley, Billy Bragg, Lily Cole and Stephen Frears also lend their support: ‘She is a strong and inspirational presence in Parliament ... it’s crucial that Caroline Lucas, the Green Party’s sole MP at this time, should be re-elected’

A HOST of celebrated household names have today united behind the bid to see Caroline re-elected as Green MP in Brighton Pavilion.

In a remarkable display of support for an individual candidate, a group of 40 leading campaigners, writers, actors, scientists, broadcasters and business people have called for Caroline to be returned to Parliament.

Legendary broadcaster Sir David Attenborough is amongst those to sign his support, alongside film director Stephen Frears, actors Joanna Lumley and Jeremy Irons, campaigner and actress Lily Cole, impressionist Rory Bremner and singer-songwriter and activist Billy Bragg (*full statement and list of signatories below*)

In a joint statement, the group says that - regardless of personal political allegiances - they believe “our democracy can only be strengthened by maintaining such a strong and inspirational presence in Parliament”.

They add that, as mainstream parties struggle to address crucial climate and social justice issues, Caroline’s leadership in Westminster matters ‘all the more’.

It comes in the same week Brighton legend Dick Knight, former chair of Brighton & Hove Albion - speaking in a personal capacity - backed Caroline for re-election. Speaking on Wednesday, Dick said: “Caroline’s earned the right to continue her genuine commitment to improving our society - in the place where she will stand up and can be counted on to make a difference. I wish all MPs were as brave.”

Campaign Manager Adam McGibbon said: “Caroline has stood up for her constituents tirelessly and we need her to continue being our strong, independent Green voice in Westminster, to hold parties to account and press them to be fairer, bolder and more progressive, for a politics that works for everyone.”

ENDS

Today’s full statement and list of signatories (signed in their personal capacity)

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR CAROLINE LUCAS

“Most of us are not members of the Green Party, and many are not much involved in party politics. But we all feel it’s crucial that Caroline Lucas, the Green Party’s sole MP at this time, should be re-elected in her Brighton constituency on May 7th.

Over the last five years, Caroline has eloquently addressed many of today’s most pressing issues – from accelerating climate change to sustainable farming, from human rights to a just and sustainable economy. This leadership matters all the more at a time when the mainstream parties are finding it so hard to address these challenges properly.

Regardless of our own political allegiance, we believe that our democracy can only be strengthened by maintaining such a strong and inspirational presence in Parliament.”

John Ashton CBE

Special Representative for Climate Change at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 2006-2012

Sir David Attenborough

Naturalist and broadcaster

Phil Bloomer

Executive Director, Business and Human Rights Resource Centre

Billy Bragg

Singer-songwriter

Campaigner

Rory Bremner FKC

Impressionist and satirist

Tom Burke, CBE RSA

Environmentalist

James Cameron

Barrister and environmentalist

Lily Cole

Model, actress and environmental campaigner

Mark Constantine OBE

Businessman

Founder, LUSH cosmetics

Joseph Corré

Businessman, environmental and human rights campaigner

Joyce d'Silva

Campaigner for animal welfare and the environment

Stephen Frears

Film director

Dr Jane Goodall DBE

UN Messenger of Peace

Katharine Hamnett CBE

Fashion designer, pioneer of ethical and environmental fashion

Jeremy Irons

Actor

Prof Tim Jackson

University of Surrey

Bianca Jagger

President and Chief Executive, Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation

Tony Juniper

Environmentalist, writer and sustainability advisor

Satish Kumar

Activist for the environment and peace; teacher

Dr Jeremy Leggett

Green energy entrepreneur and writer

Joanna Lumley OBE FRGS

Actress and author

Dr Brian May CBE

Astrophysicist, musician and songwriter, animal welfare campaigner

Kevin McCloud MBE

Designer, broadcaster, developer of sustainable property

Alistair McGowan

Actor, impressionist and author

George Monbiot

Journalist, author, campaigner on environmental and human rights issues

Michael Morpurgo OBE, FRSL, FKC

Children’s author, poet, playwright

Cornelia Parker OBE RA

Sculptor and installation artist

Sara Parkin OBE

Environmentalist and author

Jonathon Porritt CBE

Environmentalist, broadcaster and writer

Diana Quick

Actress

Prof Christopher Rapley CBE

Scientist

Gordon Roddick

Founder, 38 Degrees

Co-Founder, The Big Issue

Co-Founder, The Body Shop International plc

Oliver Rowe

Chef

Charles Secrett

Environmental activist, author and broadcaster

Sir Tim Smit KBE

Entrepreneur, environmental educator and author

Co-founder and Executive Vice-Chairman of the Eden Project

Mark Steel

Social commentator, writer and comedian

Mark Thomas

Comedian, investigative journalist, political campaigner

Dale Vince OBE

Entrepreneur

Tracy Worcester

Animal welfare campaigner

Thom Yorke

Musician, singer, songwriter (including Radiohead)

*Each of us has signed this Statement in our personal capacity*