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Election 2015: Ed Miliband says he 'profoundly' disagrees with Russell Brand's views on voting

Labour leader was seen visiting the comedian's house on Monday night, fuelling speculation Brand was about to declare his support for Miliband

Matt Dathan
Wednesday 29 April 2015 04:32 EDT
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Ed Miliband visited Russell Brand's Shoreditch home on Monday night
Ed Miliband visited Russell Brand's Shoreditch home on Monday night

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Ed Miliband has said he "profoundly" disagreed with Russell Brand over the comedian and activist's view that voting does not make a difference.

The Labour leader was spotted leaving the Shoreditch home of the comedian turned activist on Monday night, fuelling speculation he had persuaded Brand to endorse him at the 11th hour.

But the excitement was short-lived after a Labour party spokesman said Miliband had visited Brand's Shoreditch home to record an interview for his satirical YouTube channel The Trews.

And speaking on the campaign trail today, Miliband said there were big differences in opinion between him and Brand, who has never voted, famously urges his followers not to bother on polling day.

He also batted away mocking comments from David Cameron, who said he did not have time to "hang out" with the "joke" figure of Brand.

However, defending his decision to accept the interview invitation, Mr Miliband said that if he talked only to people he agreed with, he "wouldn't be doing many interviews".

He said: "I'm going to go anywhere and talk to anyone to take that message out to people about how we can change this country so it works for working people again.

"I say to all of the politicians in this campaign, here is the danger, the danger is that politics is being played in an increasingly empty stadium.

"If we don't recognise that, if we don't engage in different ways with the people who aren't engaging in this election, then we will have fewer and fewer people voting.

"So I'm proud to be engaging with people in this election. Russell Brand asked me for an interview and I was very, very happy to accept."


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