Luvvies for Labour! Billy Nighy and Imelda Staunton among stars to throw their weight behind Starmer ahead of election

27 June 2024, 15:11

Labour has received backing from a host of stars in a letter calling for the end of the 'political chaos of the last few years'.
Labour has received backing from a host of stars in a letter calling for the end of the 'political chaos of the last few years'. Picture: Alamy

By Jenny Medlicott

Labour has received backing from a score of stars within the arts after publishing a joint letter calling for an end to the “political chaos of recent years”.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Keeley Hawes and Hugh Bonneville are among some of the star names who have signed the letter endorsing Sir Keir Starmer’s party.

Ranging from actors, to artists and directors, the stars have signed up to Labour’s pledges and its manifesto promise to provide a “creative education for every child”.

“Labour has shown that it wants to work with every part of the creative industries with a bold and sensible strategy for the creative industries sector,” the letter published in The Times reads.

“We want a government that will value the creative industries and put them at the heart of the drive for growth. Our industry would benefit from the ambition of a Labour government.”

Labour has traditionally garnered support from those within the creative industries, however the current government did receive praise for its £1.5 billion culture recovery fund during the pandemic and theatre tax relief schemes.

While the Labour manifesto does not centre on the arts, it does include a pledge to “support children to study a creative or vocational subject until they are 16”.

Read more: 'So which lavatory would they actually use?': Nick Ferrari presses shadow minister on trans women and public toilets

Read more: Number of police officers accused of placing bets on election grows to seven, as Met gives update on investigation

Bily Nighy is among the signatories of the letter.
Bily Nighy is among the signatories of the letter. Picture: Alamy

It comes amid concerns that the creative subjects have been neglected in the state school system.

Labour has also pledged to tackle issues with ticket resales, increase loans from publicly funded museums in London to regional locations and to “transform” the apprenticeship levy.

The letter emphasised the importance of Britain’s creative industries, adding that it employs one in 14 people in the country’s workforce.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said that the Tories would continue with a £50 billion growth plan for the creative industries, which is aimed at generating a million new jobs.

It comes amid a clash between the Tories and the David Tennant over the weekend.

Imelda Staunton is also on the list of signatories.
Imelda Staunton is also on the list of signatories. Picture: Alamy

The Doctor Who star, who was named Celebrity Ally at the British LGBT awards on Friday, said of the Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch amid a trans row: "I don't wish ill of her, I just wish her to shut up.”

Ms Badenoch hit back: "I will not shut up. I will not be silenced by men who prioritise applause from Stonewall over the safety of women and girls.”

Rishi Sunak later waded into the row, telling Tennant he was "the problem" for telling Ms Badenoch he wished she "didn't exist" at an awards ceremony.

He said: "Freedom of speech is the most powerful feature of our democracy. If you're calling for women to shut up and wishing they didn't exist, you are the problem."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The 64-year-old previously revealed he was days from death before undergoing surgery

Jeremy Clarkson issues major health update after life-changing surgery as he tells fans he is 'better than ever'

US Capitol Police arrested a man on Tuesday

Man arrested at US Capitol for 'smelling like fuel and bringing a flare gun and a torch', police say

Israeli PM Netanyahu has fired his defence minister Yoav Gallant.

Israeli PM Netanyahu fires defence minister Yoav Gallant in surprise announcement

Donald Trump after casting his vote on Tuesday

Donald Trump claims he's 'very confident' of victory in US election race after casting his ballot

Conor McGregor has been accused of raping and choking a woman in a Dublin hotel

Conor McGregor accused of raping and choking woman after snorting cocaine

The ex-Manchester City footballer married Stephen Darby in 2018, a few months before he was diagnosed with the condition

Ex-Lioness captain Steph Houghton reveals husband's 'life-changing' operation amid MND battle

Underground train, Barbican Tube Station, Smithfield, England, United Kingdom

Tube drivers call off planned London Underground strikes after improved pay offer

Playa de los Pocillos puerto del carmen Lanzarote, Canary Islands, spain

British tourist, 34, found dead on beach in Lanzarote

Trump and Harris go head to head

US Election night guide: What time do polls close and who is favourite to win?

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had only just turned 12 when he took part in the violent disorder

Britain's youngest rioter: Boy who had just turned 12 sentenced for involvement in violent disorder

The 170-metre red bridge over wetlands in Canada Water, south-east London, opened last week

Security guards to stop cyclists from using bright red ‘wildlife boardwalk’ at £3.3bn London housing development

Rubert Gispin was visiting flood-hit parts of his native Valencia

Spanish influencer defends ‘shameful’ decision to deliberately cover himself in mud in Valencia’s flood damaged streets

Sara Sharif's father denies murdering the 10-year-old.

Father claims he begged to save Sara Sharif before being told ‘Leave it, she’s dead’

Queen Camilla is unwell with a chest infection and has withdrawn from her engagements this week

The Queen withdraws from engagements this week after being taken ill, Buckingham Palace announces

Tesco customers are furious after being forced to wait hours to book a Christmas delivery slot.

'It's like getting Beyonce tickets': Fury as Tesco shoppers face 'ridiculous' online queues for Christmas delivery slots

Ladbaby has broken its silence on historic allegations of gripping.

Charity chart-topper Ladbaby breaks his silence on 'groping' allegations