General Election 2015: David Cameron dismisses Russell Brand as “a joke” ahead of Ed Miliband interview

By: Catherine Neilan

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David Cameron has called comedian-turned-political activist Russell Brand “a joke” and said the public should ignore his stance on not voting. 
 
Speaking at an event in North London, Cameron said he "profoundly disagreed" with Brand. 
 
"He says don't vote, it only encourages them. That's funny, right, it's funny. But politics and life and elections and jobs and the economy are not a joke. Russell Brand is a joke," Cameron added. 
 
"I haven't got time to hang out with Russell Brand. This is more important, these are real people," the Conservative leader said.
 
"Don't listen to Russell Brand, get out there with your stubby pencil and vote."

 
Brand has not been backward in coming forward during the election. His YouTube channel The Trews proclaims to offer "the true news so you don't have to invest any money in buying newspapers that charge you for the privilege of keeping your consciousness imprisoned in a tiny box of ignorance and lies". 
 
Clips include "Are the Lib Dems the most Pointless Party?" and "Unhappy Britain: Blame Immigration?". He has been parodied on Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe. 
 
Brand is expected to unveil an interview with Ed Miliband later today, after the Labour leader was spotted leaving his house. 
 
https://twitter.com/ElisaMisu/status/592795306225459203
 
The picture has sparked speculation that Brand – who famously said he had never voted and bemoans the political status quo for the current levels of voter apathy – would come out to back Miliband. 
 
But could this backfire? Certainly Brand is a divisive figure – a recent YouGov poll found the self-proclaimed revolutionary was regarded as playing a more negative role in public discourse than controversial former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson.
 
Update: Brand just got his own back. 
 
https://twitter.com/rustyrockets/status/593044490409136128
 
Update number two: Brand has now released a trailer of the interview – the full version will be released tomorrow. Miliband's people might be pleased with the way he responded to Brand's meandering questions… But is there a hint of a mockney accent surfacing?