Jeremy Corbyn took to the stage with part of UB40 as reggae band endorses his Labour leadership campaign
Embattled veteran leftie and the divided group who had hits in the 1980s are the perfect match
JEREMY Corbyn took to the stage with UB40 today as they endorsed his leadership campaign in a Labour of Love to keep him at the top of the party.
The reggae band, who have been beset by acrimony and division in recent years, are a perfect match for the embattled leftie as he takes on Owen Smith in the party contest.
Its singer Ali Campbell left the group and joined forces with two other band mates, leading to a bitter battle over use of the group's name.
reports the other band which also calls itself UB40 – which is fronted by Ali Campbell, Robin’s younger brother and the original group’s lead singer, and features other original members Mickey Virtue and Terence “Astro” Wilson – is not endorsing Mr Corbyn.
In a statement released through their PR company they said: “Ali, Astro and Mickey have always been great supporters of the Labour party, and they look forward to the new leader taking the Labour party back into government at the earliest opportunity.”
So it is the remaining members, led by guitarist and vocalist Robin Campbell, who have endorsed Mr Corbyn.
The similarity of the band’s problems and the internal struggles of Labour were not lost on Mr Corbyn.
After announcing he was not going to sing he said bands teach us to work together – until they fall out.
And it was not lost on Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall, who is definitely no friend of Mr Corbyn.
He tweeted:
UB40, who were chart-toppers in their heyday during the 1980s and 1990s, hailed the Opposition leader as "incorruptible" and a "man of the people" at a press conference in London.
Despite presiding over a year of turmoil and division since winning the Labour leadership, the 67-year-old is on course to comfortably hold on to his job.
In a joint statement, the band said: "Jeremy has re-ignited an interest in politics for people who no longer felt included, and engaged and inspired a new generation of young voters who, for the first time, believe that they have an incorruptible politician who truly represents them.
“For these reasons he has our full support as leader of a genuine, believable Labour Party."
Mr Campbell added: "We support Jeremy Corbyn because he is the only one willing to speak up for working people, who have been badly treated by successive governments, including new labour, in recent decades.
"He is the only leader offering something different to business as usual.
“Westminster needs big change, and Jeremy is the man to do it."
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Named after a dole claim form, UB40 formed in 1978 and went on to enjoy chart success with a number of songs, including Rat In Mi Kitchen, Red Red Wine and Can't Help Falling In Love.
They are one of the most commercially successful reggae acts of all time, selling more than 70million records.
The endorsement was welcomed by Mr Corbyn, which comes shortly after he was criticised by Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who said he was a lousy leader.
Mr Corbyn said: "I am delighted to receive the endorsement of UB40, one of the most successful British reggae acts of all time.
"UB40's story was and remains inspiring; people from across cultures and backgrounds coming together and combining their talents - in a time when prejudice was more prevalent - and creativity to produce music that has endured across decades.”
As well as expressing their support for Mr Corbyn during the press conference the band were asked about grammar schools and said they were against them.
Mr Corbyn said he did not want to go on Strictly Come Dancing but wished Ed Balls luck and said as well as liking political artists, he liked classical composers such as Mahler.
reports he told the audience: “Music affects people in different ways.
“You associate it with different parts of your life.
He added: “I enjoy going to the Proms at least once a year.
“Trying to understand what motivated someone to sit in a garret room and turn out something that was stupendous.
“They had to write it out, and then find an orchestra that would support it.”