COMEDIAN Eddie Izzard has repeated his intention to pursue a political career from 2020.

The star was in Hove at the weekend to support Labour candidate Peter Kyle’s campaign to return to the commons on June 8.

Known for his pro-European stance, Izzard said he was still determined to make a move to become an MP in a few years time, despite the earlier than expected election.

He said Brexit did not mean Europe was going to go away and the country should not be isolating itself.

Izzard said: “The idea that Europe’s just going to disappear off and we’re just going to sail off somewhere to another part of the world is not going to happen.

“It’s all still there. You want to be able to trade into the single market so people can get the jobs.

“If people are losing jobs because we are pulling out of the EU, that seems like a crazy thing.”

Izzard is a well-known political activist and supporter of the Labour Party.

He has often appeared on talk shows, including BBC Question Time.

Topics on the agenda have included the EU, housing, immigration, and gender politics.

In 2009 and 2015, he appeared in the party’s election videos.

This week he has been out and about in constituencies up and down the country to try to boost votes for Labour candidates.

Izzard said he was supporting Mr Kyle because they had a similar approach.

He said “We need people who are pro-business and pro unions and want a decent life for everyone.

“This referendum has happened and now we have this post referendum situation.

“Peter going to fight very hard to get the best deal for the people in his constituency.

“We are going backwards economically and going backwards with our ideas about the world and how we see ourselves.”

Izzard said the UK had held two referendums over the EU and for the past 40 years those who had not been happy with the decision to enter would have not been happy about it.

He said: “We are just going to have to keep looking at this and keep the pressure going.”

The star said despite the referendum vote and the prospect of a hard Brexit, he had no intention of leaving the country permanently.

He said: “I’m proud to be British and I’m proud to be European. I’m a remainer and I’m a returner as well.

“This is our country and our continent.

“The idea that we are looking to trade with far flung places when we’ve got a continent right next to us makes not sense.

“There is no reason for this election. It is not going to strengthen any deals.

“The idea that it will give us a better hand in Europe is not gong to happen.”

The star joined Mr Kyle at the St Anne’s Well Gardens spring festival in Hove on Saturday to speak to residents and visitors.

He previously supported Mr Kyle at the last election in 2015, joining him at the polling station.

Mr Kyle said: “It has been great to get the support from Eddie because he fits seamlessly into our campaign.”

Izzard grew up in Bexhill and has strong links with Sussex.

He rose to fame in the mid-1990s on the back of his surreal hit shows Definite Article, Glorious and Dressed To Kill.

He has been a patron of the De La Warr Pavillion since 2005, having worked in its cafe as a teenager.

In 2012 he performed a show entirely in French on the venue’s roof.

He also sponsored a memorable art installation by Richard Wilson, inspired by the closing scenes in The Italian Job.