Elton John urges Brits to vote Labour as he joins raft of celebs backing occasion

Sir Elton John led a string of celebrities sending messages of support to Keir Starmer – and urging Brits to vote Labour.

Game of Thrones star Kit Harrington, funnyman Jason Manford and Dragon’s Den legend Deborah Meaden all sent messages of support.

In an event in London to mark the final weekend before the general election, the Labour leader told supporters: “You can be part of changing our country next week. We can heal the wounds, bring our country together, return politics to service, and start to build a new Britain…”

“Change only happens if you vote for it, and it is time for change. Time to stop the chaos, turn the page and rebuild our country by voting Labour on July the 4th.”

Mr Starmer was introduced at the event by comedian Bill Bailey and TV presenter June Sarpong.

Sir Elton’s message drew attention to Labour’s plan to increase support for the creative industries – both for young people and working artists. In a video message alongside husband David Furnish, Sir Elton said: “It’s heartbreaking to see the hopes of Britain’s next generation of creative talent downtrodden by bureaucracy and red tape.”

He went on: “The rich cultural exchange and education that informed my early years and paved the way for my career and success is drying up and in danger of dying out completely.” Mr Furnish said Labour’s manifesto “sets out sensible and practical proposals that promise to give every young person a creative education and help young and emerging musicians achieve the routes to success that have been cruelly and pointlessly snatched away from them.”

Sir Elton added: “That’s why we’re backing Keir and Labour to win this election.” Mr Manford’s message joined Sir Elton in welcoming Labour’s plan to ensure arts education is available to all children in schools. “I think that’s massive,” he said. Mr Harrington’s message welcomed Labour’s commitment to tackling climate change. “The climate is teetering,” he said. “And we really can’t afford 14 more years of the Tories’ inaction. Labour have a practical plan which I believe can deliver for all of us…Vote for change and vote for Labour on 4 July.”

Reality star Georgia Harrison backed Labour to tackle violence against women and girls, saying: “There is so much negative misoginy all across social media at the moment, and it’s essential that we’re combating that in a safe setting, and instead of people looking up to the Andrew Tates of the world, they’re looking up to role models. I really, really think that this plan could shape so many role models for the future.” And Ms Meaden said: “Having spent some time with Keir I find him thoughtful, caring, reflective – you know, he listens, takes away what you’ve talked about and formulates a plan. I think that’s everything you really want in a leader.”

Mr Starmer warned hope has been “kicked out” of voters as he said Labour still has to convince people to go to the ballot box. He told activists in London: “British people want change but the hope has almost been kicked out. They need to be convinced that change is possible, and most of all they need to be convinced to vote for it. Because change doesn’t happen unless you vote for it. Nothing is decided, not a single vote has been won or lost, and each and every vote is out there.”

He warned supporters against complacency, asking them to imagine the Tories winning unexpectedly next Thursday.

“How do you feel about the future of our country on a morning like that? To see them back in power, and not just back, entitled. Emboldened. Vindicated,” he said.

“Believing they could get away with anything. They could run the NHS into the ground, another unfunded spending spree, your mortgage through the roof again. As they get on with serving themselves, the same old same old, and nothing you can do about it. Because we’ll be stuck in same doom-loop. Pay more and get less. For five years.

“That’s what’ll happen, if there is no democratic reckoning on Thursday, and we cannot allow that to happen. Don’t forget what they have done, don’t forget party-gate, don’t forget the Covid contract, don’t forget the lies, don’t forget the kickbacks. Don’t forget the cronyism, don’t forget the division, the scapegoating of minorities, the failure to invest, the trips to the bookies, the decimation of your public services.

“Telling working people “we’re all in it together”, the people who hurt your family finances, swanning around the House of Lords, after giving tax cuts to the richest 1% that crashed our economy, don’t forget any of it. And don’t risk it. Because you don’t have to, you can stop it, and don’t forget that.”