The Latest: Being an MEP Izz 'ard? Not for Eddie

Given many other commitments elsewhere, I have been pushed for time to write articles. Luckily I have some free time now so I am able to continue for The-Latest, alongside my work on my blog and Photoshop gallery. Today's piece concerns my favourite comedian, Eddie Izzard, and his potential future career. Read it below or visit The Latest directly to see it!



EDDIE Izzard, one of Britain’s leading stand-up comedians and actors, told Newsweek yesterday of his desire to become a politician in the European Parliament.

Izzard, 46, strongly advocates the European Union - now the largest international democratic electorate in the world - and told the New York magazine that people have “got to make it work in Europe”.

Izzard believes that the EU does not compromise the identities of nation states, but brings them together for the collective good of all Europeans.

“People are very worried about sovereignty and the loss of sovereignty,” Izzard continued. “I think the stakes are if we don't make the European Union work, then the world is screwed. End of story.”

The United Kingdom has long been traditionally cynical of European federalism, but Izzard has regularly spoken out against these views citing the European Commission’s agreement for subsidiarity amongst member states - a policy of local governance as outlined by the Maastricht Treaty of 1993.

In 2005 on BBC‘s Question Time, Izzard went on to describe himself as “British-European,” comparing it to the term “African-American”.

And with the success of the European Regional Development Fund and humanitarian aid programs, alongside the growing strength of the Euro, Izzard’s comments come at a time where national beliefs are changing.

The fervent pro-European campaigning of Izzard was awarded with two honorary doctorates in Letters from the Universities of East Anglia and Sheffield after his comedy was seen to have “transcended national barriers,” particularly in light of his successful multilingual stand-up performances in France and Germany.

And with his recent international success in FX’s The Riches and Hollywood blockbuster Ocean’s 13, Izzard may not fully commit to his proposal yet - but if he does, he will no doubt be successful.

Izzard begins his eighth stand-up tour, Stripped, on April 28 in Boston, and stars alongside Tom Cruise in upcoming war epic Valkyrie.