New Times,
New Thinking.

Did Ken use actors in his election broadcast?

Livingstone's team deny claims and say the voters were "street cast".

By George Eaton

Were the ordinary voters in the election broadcast that moved Ken Livingstone to tears actually actors? That was the claim in yesterday’s Guardian diary, which Labour Uncut has revisited today.

The Guardian reported:

The Labour party confessed yesterday that the Londoners are all actors – but actors who support Ken. Of the crying, it said: “It was very genuine. It really was.”

We know that in at least one case – Rabbi Joseph Stauber – this cannot be true. Stauber, who appears several times in the video, is a former Labour councillor for Stamford Hill.

But what of the others? Ken’s team have taken to Twitter to deny the claims.

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

A member of the team told the New Statesman:

The company that did the PEB [party election broadcast] street cast them … Street cast means they went up to them on the street and asked who they supported.

For the sake of Ken’s credibility, it’s important that they avoid any doubt.

Content from our partners
Data defines a new era for fundraising
A prescription for success: improving the UK's access to new medicines
A luxury cruise is an elegant way to make memories that will last a lifetime