Gary Neville rules out bid to become Labour MP as he joins Keir Starmer on conference stage
The former Manchester United and England footballer, now a Sky Sports pundit, confirmed he had joined the Labour Party back in January this year.
Monday 26 September 2022 19:19, UK
Former footballer Gary Neville has ruled out any future bid to become a Labour MP.
Appearing at the party's conference in Liverpool on Monday, he said he has "no intention of going into politics" as he does not want to give up the businesses he co-owns or his work in football.
The Manchester United defender turned Sky Sports pundit added that he is "not going to be tempted" to stand in the upcoming by-election in West Lancashire.
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The former England star confirmed he had joined the Labour Party back in January this year.
But speaking to broadcasters on Monday, he ruled out any further progression.
"It's something that I've been asked regularly over the last 12 to 18 months," he said.
"I've got no intention of going into politics at all because the reality is I love what I do so much.
"I love what I do in football. I love what I do in Greater Manchester with the businesses that I co-own.
"And I have to say that I wouldn't want to give that up. I feel as though I'm happy in what I'm doing.
"I want to continue to do the things that I'm doing locally in Greater Manchester. I have to say that I feel politically motivated, but I can do as much, I think, for the Labour Party being here today as I can do being an MP."
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'Get behind Keir Starmer'
In a later conversation on the main conference stage with Keir Starmer and shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell, Neville urged delegates to "get behind" the Labour leader as he is a "serious politician".
Asked what advice he would give the party to put it on the path to victory, he said: "Remain laser-focused and aligned behind a single goal - which is to remove this Conservative government and put everything else aside and focus on that alone."
Gag-a-minute Gary a winner for Labour
On the pitch, England legend Gary Neville was a tough-tackling, no-nonsense defender. A bit dour, perhaps. Grumpy and not exactly a bundle of laughs.
But from the moment he stepped on to the political playing field at Labour鈥檚 conference in Liverpool, the Sky Sports football pundit was gag-a-minute Gary.
During a Q&A with the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, the former Manchester United captain made several amusing references to his bitter rivalry with Liverpool FC and its players.
鈥淯sually when I see red in Liverpool I鈥檓 in trouble,鈥� he said at the start of the half-hour session. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the best reception I鈥檝e ever had in Liverpool.鈥�
When the Labour leader said he plays five-a-side every Sunday, Neville quipped: 鈥淢ake sure you play left-of-centre midfield.鈥�
And in a verdict on Labour鈥檚 conference at the end of day two, he added: 鈥淭hat left wing is being a bit noisy.鈥�
As Labour鈥檚 Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell asked him if he鈥檇 seen the Women鈥檚 Euros trophy on display at the conference, he said: 鈥淚鈥檝e never seen an international trophy.鈥�
And when claimed Liz Truss鈥檚 鈥渇ailing government鈥� was in stoppage time, he said: 鈥淪he鈥檚 tanked the pound lower than my reputation in Liverpool.鈥�
Controversially, recalling the PM鈥檚 past as a Liberal Democrat and a Remainer, he wondered whether she opposed windfall taxes on energy companies because she once worked at Shell.
And referring to the freeze on alcohol duties in Kwasi Kwarteng鈥檚 Budget on Friday, he quipped: 鈥淧erhaps she had a part-time gig at Bargain Booze!鈥�
His party conference debut was a game of two halves for the former footballer, who joined the Labour Party earlier this year and has been tipped for a move into politics.
But in the first half, as fans crammed into an auditorium in the city鈥檚 convention centre for a morning fringe event, he said: 鈥淚鈥檝e no intention of going into politics at all.鈥�
Discussing proposals by the former Tory Sports Minister Tracey Crouch for an independent regulator of football, he showed off all his Sky Sports commentating flair.
鈥淭he cross has been played into the box,鈥� he said, as if he was alongside commentator Martin Tyler in the gantry. 鈥淎ll Liz Truss and her Cabinet need to do is head it into the back of the net.鈥�
One thing all party leaders have in common is that they love to have celebrity supporters on their team. And Neville was player of the match here in Liverpool.
Tough and uncompromising as a player, he was a winner on the pitch. And now gag-a-minute Gary looks like a vote winner for Labour.
He added: "Not only is this current government damaging us in our country, our relationships with our partners in Europe and around the world are broken and shattered.
"We need to rebuild our reputation and that is not going to happen under a Conservative government."
Asked for his view on Liz Truss, Neville said: "She has tanked the pound lower than my reputation in Liverpool."
Entering the stage, he had joked: "Usually when I see reds in Liverpool I'm in big trouble. It is the best reception I have ever had here."