More about: Glastonbury Festival

Labour MP Gareth Thomas has suggested moving Glastonbury Festival to London in 2023 as part of a European Capital of Culture celebration.

The iconic UK festival has taken place on Worthy Farm in Somerset since 1970. Earlier this month, its founder Michael Eavis admitted that the festival may have to change location, due to the fact that he only owns part of its land. We somehow doubt, though, that he had London in mind.

Gareth Thomas, who is one of the hopefuls for the role of London's next mayor, has suggesed that Epping Forest or Hackney Marshes could host the festival as part of a series of arts and culture pop-ups, if London wins the 2023 bid for European Capital of Culture.

Speaking of the (frankly ludicrous) suggestion, Thomas said, "London is already well-served by major cultural institutions in the centre, but outer London has had a lot more pressure on arts funding and arts venues. There is a huge amount of artistic talent in London."

He continued, "And as part of the overall bid why not bring Glastonbury to London for one year to help anchor the year of arts and culture. We know the mud of Glastonbury is high quality – the mud of outer London is even more refined than Glastonbury."

Thomas is running for mayor against Tessa Jowell, Sadiq Khan, Diane Abbott, David Lammy and Christian Wolmar.

More about: Glastonbury Festival