Watch: ‘I Think I Can Get Elected’ – James Ryder’s First Interview As ‘Clown’ MEP Candidate
A confident James Ryder said he believes he can get elected to the European Parliament in the upcoming election.
In an interview with Lovin Malta, the comedian said his experience on the stage gives him an advantage over other candidates in terms of his understanding of pop culture, memes and general humour.
“I think I can reach an audience in a way that other candidates might not be able to,” he said.
Although he described himself as a “clown”, Ryder said his campaign is a serious one and that he intends to listen to the concerns of people and NGOs and enrol a team of canvassers.
He pledged to lobby the EU to recognise Maltese as an endangered language, arguing that such a status will allow the nation to access EU funds to help safeguard the language.
He also promised to push forward policies to safeguard the environment and NGOs, particularly those that organise clean-ups and advocate for animal welfare, women’s rights, and the LGBTIQ+ community.
Ryder said he has been blown away by the level of support at his campaign, which was originally marketed as an April Fool’s joke but which turned out to be the real deal.
“Unfortunately, I think we will reach a stage where my kind of candidature will be necessary,” he said. “Half the population doesn’t feel represented and doesn’t intend to vote. If you allow a place to become a circus, people will eventually want a clown.”
Will you vote for James Ryder at the European Parliament election?
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