Photo: Wenn
Paul Weller has dismissed the current crop of election candidates - saying that he 'can't stand any of' the major parties and would rather vote for Russell Brand.
Speaking to Shortlist, Weller explained that he is completely disillusioned by modern political landscape.
"I can’t be fucked with it, really – and I’m not voting, either," he said. "Definitely not. I wouldn’t know who to vote for, ’cos I can’t stand any of them."
He continued: "A lot of things that Russell Brand says, I think, are pretty spot on. I’d be more inclined to vote for him, really. He’s kind of doing what the bands were doing back in the '80s, I guess. At least some form of dissent, anyway."
He took particular exception to the campaigning strategies of the various MPs. "I watched the debate a few weeks ago, and it was just laughable. How people can’t see through those politicians is beyond me," he said. "I was watching some of the election stuff yesterday, and I can’t get over how transparent it all is. Watching Ed Balls at a nursery, or fucking George Osborne at a building site – it’s like, for fuck’s sake, it’s 2015, and they’re still doing this bullshit: kissing babies’ heads and all that."
Things have gotten so bad that Weller is even moving away from his traditional stance. "Even doing a tactical vote against the Tories, which I would normally do, I can’t find it in myself to know who to vote for."
He saves his true disgust for Ed Miliband bringing Tony Blair. "They looked like two estate agents, and I just thought, “How can anyone think of them as leaders of anything?” I’m not having any of it. I think the system’s rotten, and they’re just the face of the system. I identify with the general apathy towards politicians, and I’m probably part of it."
Paul Weller's forthcoming new album Saturns Pattern comes out 18 May on Parlophone. He's also recently been announced as playing Sunday night at Glastonbury.
Below: Listen to 'Saturns Pattern' by Paul Weller below
Weller's UK tour dates in full are as follows. For tickets visit here.
November
Fri 20 Brighton Centre
Sat 21 Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Sun 22 Bournemouth BIC
Tue 24 Glasgow The SSE Hydro
Wed 25 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Fri 27 Birmingham Barclaycard Arena
Sat 28 Manchester Arena
Sun 29 Leeds First Direct Arena
December
Fri 4 London Eventim Apollo
Sat 5 London Eventim Apollo
