Eddie Izzard on her priorities for Brighton Pavilion

The comedian and activist is among those vying to become the Labour Party candidate for the constituency, currently held by Green MP Caroline Lucas, at the next general election.

In an exclusive interview with The Argus, Eddie said that electing a Labour MP for Brighton Pavilion for the first time in more than a decade would allow the city to have a seat at the table to shape policy and see the issues residents care about addressed in legislation.

Eddie Izzard told The Argus about the priorities she would have as an MP for Brighton Pavilion (Image: The Argus/Andrew Gardner)

She said: “If you're a Green voter and you want policies in the statute books, Labour can do that. A party of one can never do that.

“In the last 13 years, green issues have gone backwards under the Tories, and even though Caroline Lucas has done a sterling job and fantastic job as a constituency MP, she can't get those policies into power.

“If you want policies to change the country, a Labour MP in Brighton Pavilion will help get the majority to do that.”

Eddie outlined her key priorities, ranging from greater mental health provision to action on climate change.

Housing

On housing, Eddie pledged to push for more affordable housing in the city and ensure landlords are on a register to ensure they are held accountable, with a ban on no-fault evictions.

She would work to ensure new builds are more environmentally friendly to help towards net zero targets, as well as “championing solutions” to provide shelter and essential services for people who are homeless.

“For me, a home is so much more than bricks and mortar. It’s about your health, your job prospects and that warm sense of belonging in our communities,” she said.

Healthcare

For Eddie, the NHS is personal.

“My mother was a nurse, so I absolutely want to fight for that and make sure there's enough funding going in,” she said.

In particular, Eddie had a focus on improving mental health provision within the health service and making sure carers get the support that they need.

“The NHS is in our country’s DNA and we need to fight for it,” she said.

• READ MORE: 'I have best chance of becoming Labour MP': Eddie Izzard on Brighton campaign

Education

She said Brighton had a “great reputation for a fantastic level of education” and she would want to work to build further on that, with further investment and a focus on extracurricular activities in the arts as well as sports.

“It is the thing that means the next generation of people who might have come from a low-income background, like my parents did, to be able to go forward,” she said.

“Education, education, education - that is the crucible for which we will have the next generation going forward and Brighton is a great example for that.”

Eddie Izzard is hoping to become Labour's first MP for Brighton Pavilion for more than a decade (Image: The Argus/Andrew Gardner)

Climate change

Eddie would lead by example in the global climate fight, with a commitment to make Brighton Pavilion carbon neutral and tackling the sewage releases along the coast.

“I know the Green Party have fought for the environment, but if you want those policies to go into the statute books, that's what I can do if people elect me,” she said.

Investment

Eddie said her high profile will help attract investment into Brighton, with the comedian talking about Brighton to people attending her recent stand-up tour.

She said: “It is one of the top places for tourism so I would be pushing hard for that inward investment and better jobs.

“As a businesswoman of 35 years, I know how vital it is to support local businesses and keep that money here in our community.”

Eddie added: “All the energy that I have and that I have been putting into my career, I will be putting into things like this.

“The Tories are the party of chaos, the Greens are the party of protest, Labour is the party of government.”

Labour is expected to pick its candidate for the general election by the end of the year.

The candidate will face off against the Green Party's Sian Berry, who has already been chosen as her party's candidate after sitting MP Caroline Lucas announced she would not run for re-election.