Vote me for MP, says Big Bro's Mikey

Oct 23 2009 by Lorraine Howard, Irvine Herald

KILWINNING Big Brother runner-up Mikey Hughes has pledged to clean up the streets if he wins a seat in the Glasgow North East by-election.

On Thursday, the 33-year-old blind radio DJ held his first press conference in the streets of Glasgow where he told the media and voters he wants to become the next “David Blunkett.”

Mikey is standing as an independent in the by-election to be held on Thursday, November 12.

And his dad Grant dismissed the idea this was a publicity stunt and told the Irvine Herald Mikey had been interested in politics and world affairs since he was a youngster.

“He used to make us turn the TV over every time the news was about to start, he just wanted to hear as much as he could about the world.

“He studied philosophy and has always had a passion for people, I believe he will give this his best shot, it’s a lot of work but he has put his mind to it.”

Mikey, who now lives in Clydebank hopes to stand in Ayrshire and Arran against Katy Clark to represent his home town of Kilwinning in the future.

Talking at the launch of his campaign, Mikey said he knew the area was “die hard Labour” but the furore over the expenses had left an impact on them.

Armed with a can of furniture polish, a feather duster and a leggy model, Mikey said: “There’s certainly been a lot of bad feeling in the constituency about the expenses row.

He said: “It’s a big, big challenge but I’m a straight talker. I spoke my mind last year on Big Brother and I will do so again for the people of Springburn.”

Asked whether he thought being on Big Brother had given him an advantage over the other candidates, he said: “Without an absolute shadow of a doubt.

“Everybody knows my name, they want to come up and chat.”

Asked whether it was a publicity stunt the Insight Radio presenter said: “It’s no way a publicity stunt. I have been wanting to do this well before the Springburn by-election came up.”

Mikey who was runner-up in Big Brother last year, has also pledged to introduce Big Brother-style lodgings for MPs if elected.

“After your four years you give up the house. It’s state-owned,” he said.

“I’m determined to get down to Westminster and do some straight talking, this is not a stunt I have wanted to be an MP since I was seven.

“People voted for me on Big Brother, so fingers crossed.”