Reading (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Comedian Eddie Izzard threw his surreal wit behind the campaign to keep Britain in the European Union on Tuesday, calling June 23’s vote “the biggest decision of our lives”.
Izzard, known for his rambling monologues and cross-dressing, is appearing at a string of universities around the country to encourage young people to vote — and to back staying in the EU.
As well as drawing support from establishment figures in industry and politics, Prime Minister David Cameron’s push to keep Britain in the 28-nation bloc has attracted a string of entertainers.
These include actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Jude Law and Helena Bonham Carter, all of whom signed an open letter last week.
“Don’t let other people decide your future for you — this is the biggest decision of our lives,” was how Izzard summed up his message to AFP ahead of a debate at the University of Reading at the start of his 31-stop tour in 31 days.
He joked that the EU was set up to help Europeans make “beautiful stuff” and stop them from fighting each other.
“I say we’ve fought wars from Alexander the Great to World War II,” he said.
“Two and a half thousand years in Europe where we were fighting — in between that, we were making beautiful stuff, getting on, and then we’d do fighting again.
“The European Union was set up for that.”
Young people would notice a string of changes to their lives if Britain left the EU, from more expensive flights to Europe to the loss of free healthcare access on the continent, Izzard added.
The comedian, who performs in French and German as well as English, said he has gigged in 18 European countries and hoped young people in the future would enjoy the same kind of access.
“We can all do this,” he said. “I want all young people to have these opportunities.”
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