A singer, guitarist and activist may throw his hat in the ring to be Labour’s next MP for Brighton Pavilion.
Tom Gray, from indie rock band Gomez, said he is considering a bid to become the MP for the constituency.
Should he win the nomination and be elected at the next election, he would oust the Green Party from their only seat in Parliament after 13 years.
Caroline Lucas, the current MP for Brighton Pavilion, will step down as an MP at the next general election, expected to take place sometime next year.
Mr Gray, who lives in Brighton, founded the Broken Record campaign in March 2020, calling for fairer remuneration for music creators and called on then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson for better rights for creators in 2021.
He was awarded the Unsung Hero Award by the Music Producers Guild last year.
Mr Gray told The Argus: “The country is falling apart under the Tories. To be certain we throw them out of office, Labour has to win Brighton Pavilion.
“We can no longer afford the luxury of ineffective, well-meaning Green representation.
“This is my home. I have lived here for over half my life. We love it here so much but our city needs care and attention - not least massive improvement to our mental health provision, practical solutions to the housing crisis and cleaning our sewage-ridden sea.
“I am considering putting my name forward so local Labour Party members can decide who will best stand up for our area.
“I am far from a professional politician but I am a seasoned and determined campaigner for my community.
“I think local folk expect an MP who will speak up for them and is never afraid to shake things up.”
Should Mr Gray decide to contest the nomination, he would face off against comedian Eddie Izzard and likely a number of others to become Labour’s candidate for the constituency at the next election.
A timeframe for Labour’s selection process has yet to be announced.
Sian Berry was selected by the Green Party last month as their candidate for Brighton Pavilion at the next election.
Speaking to The Argus after her selection, Ms Berry said: “Brighton made history electing Caroline and it’s really important we continue the work and service she’d done.
“I am ready to start the campaign right now. I couldn’t be more enthusiastic to start knocking on doors and listening to residents and coming to live in this wonderful city.
“Brighton Pavilion needs a Green MP in Parliament representing all the people across this wonderful constituency and I can promise every voter in Brighton Pavilion that I will work every moment between now and the general election to win their trust and support.
“I’m going to be knocking on doors and listening to what you want from your next MP. I want to hear about the policies you want to be championed and the values you want to see represented.”
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