April 10, 2007 11:54

Blur drummer to stand for election

Dave Rowntree gets political as Labour candidate

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Blur drummer Dave Rowntree has announced he intends to stand in the UK local council elections this May as a Labour candidate.

Rowntree has confirmed his selection to stand as Labour's candidate for a forthcoming council by-election in Marylebone.

Speaking about his new career direction, Rowntree told The Independent. "I’ve been a long-standing member of the Labour party and active in local politics for a while.

"I’m a Westminster resident and in my experience of living here, it all looks lovely – there are hanging baskets everywhere – but you only need to scratch beneath the surface and see that there’s a lot of deprivation and a lot of inequality around. I think someone needs to do something about it."

However the drummer may face difficulties in getting elected, as the Marylebone ward traditionally maintains a strong Conservative stronghold.