A famous eccentric is aiming to win 1,000 votes in Hampstead and Kilburn after a homeless friend gave him the £500 needed to register his candidacy.
“Rainbow” George Weiss, 76, said he is “confident and excited” about his chances in the June 8 election because he is carrying the “magical, mystical, musical” message of late Eurovision singer Ronnie Carroll.
The Brexit-backer’s central policy is to create a “European utopia” based on a “Europe with no countries”.
He said: “I want a universal world of wonders, and I want London to be a city state.
“Everything is relative and we’re all related.”
Rainbow George, who became famous after winning the deeds to a three-storey mews home in Perrins Court which he squatted in for 20 years, said he was able to register to stand today after a homeless man gave him the necessary £500.
“I’ve known the guy for 30 years – he lives on the Heath,” George said. “He’s very eccentric.
“He’s got money and I haven’t got any and I’ve got a home and he is homeless.”
He added: “He’s my carer and guardian angel.”
George, who is standing as an indepedent, said he tried to register his name as “Apprentice Prophet” but was told he was not allowed.
But the political veteran, who stood in 13 different seats in the 2005 general election, is not letting such things derail his campaign.
“I usually say, ‘Don’t vote for me in the election’ – and then I count the number of people who didn’t vote and claim them as my supporters,” he said.
“But this time I want 1,000 votes – and I’m confident I will get them.”
He added: “I’m looking forward to it very much. It feels like I’m coming full circle.”
His campaign, which will run from May 31 until the election day on June 8, will include street performers and a “band of buskers” putting on shows in Hampstead High Street.
He will also print postcards and attempt to sell them at £1 each, he said, adding that the campaign will be “historic”.
George, who lives in a retirement home in Highgate, also told the Ham&High about one of his proudest political exploits.
A Newcastle United supporter since ending up surrounded by the team’s fans in Wembley during their 1952 FA Cup final against Arsenal, he said he just about succeeded in getting Toon great Jackie Milburn to stand for his Captain Rainbow’s Universal Party in Tyne Bridge in 1985.
“He was keen to do it,” George said of the legendary striker.
“I was so excited – but then he was advised not to do it at the last minute and he said no.”
He added: “He would have won if he did stand.”
George ended up standing himself in the by-election, winning 38 votes.
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