Will Bernie Sanders's brother replace David Cameron?
New York-born Green Party veteran Larry is running in the Witney by-election next week
Former Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders (pictured) has released an endorsement video for another political hopeful – and it's not Hillary Clinton.
The US senator has given his support to his older brother Larry, who is running to replace David Cameron in his Witney constituency.
Larry Sanders was born in Brooklyn, New York, and moved to the UK in the 1960s to study for a masters in social work at the University of Oxford. He has lived in Oxfordshire ever since and previously stood as a Green Party candidate in Oxford East.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In the video, Sanders says he does not know "a heck of a lot about British politics", but he does know his brother, who he describes as having "a very strong influence over my life".
He says: "My brother is a very, very caring human being, who wants to see government represent all of the people, not just the people on top."
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_original","fid":"101843","attributes":{"class":"media-image"}}]]
He also paid tribute to Larry Sanders's dedication to state-run healthcare – one of the senator's own major ambitions for the US. Sanders Sr is the Green Party's health spokesman.
Sanders says: "For decades now - and I hear this from him almost every week - he has been working to strengthen the NHS to ensure that it is the quality system that everyone in the UK is entitled to," he tells voters in the clip.
Wresting control of Witney away from the Conservatives will be no mean feat. Considered an ultra-safe seat, the district has returned only Tory MPs since it was created in 1983. At the last election in 2015, the Green Party took 5.1 per cent of the vote, building on a small but steady increase across previous elections.
Conservative candidate Robert Courts, currently the deputy leader of West Oxfordshire district council, is firm favourite to win. Labour is represented by Witney East councillor Duncan Enwright, who took 17.2 per cent of the vote when he stood in the general election last year.
Voters go to the polls on 20 October, the same day that the Batley and Spen constituency will hold a by-election to replace murdered MP Jo Cox.
Although the major parties agreed not to contest the election as a mark of respect to Cox, Labour candidate Tracy Brabin will face opposition from the far-right parties BNP, National Front and Liberty GB.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Melting polar ice is messing with global timekeeping
Speed Read Ice loss caused by climate change is slowing the Earth's rotation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Stick guitar
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'Sports executives ushered a fox into the henhouse'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Can Cameron put the Falklands sovereignty dispute to bed?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary says issue 'not up for discussion' ahead of visit amid renewed push from Argentina
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will America recognize a Palestinian state?
Today's Big Question Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the move. Some see it as the only route to peace.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Fasting to burger buffets: the weird and wonderful diets of politicians
Why Everyone's Talking About Rishi Sunak reportedly starts his week with a 36-hour fast
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published