Russell Brand: what exactly is his 'revolution'?

It's been difficult not to notice a certain individual who's been dividing opinion, recently; he's been likened to Communist revolutionary Che Guevara, called a 'prancing perm on a stick', 'the leader of the revolution', and even compared to Jesus Christ. This particular individual is comedian-turned-activist Russell Brand. 

telegraph.co.uk
Political activist Russell Brand

It's easy to get swept along with the whirlwind of opposing opinions surrounding Russell Brand without really understanding what he's about. So, I'd like to offer a little summary of Mr. Brand's protests, his ideas and some opinions on him.

Who is Russell Brand?

esquire.com

Born in Essex, Russell Brand became notorious as the host of a spin-off of British reality show Big Brother. He has had various film roles in movies such as St. Trinian's, Get Him To The Greek, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Despicable Me. He published his autobiography My Booky Wook in 2007 and married singer Katy Perry in 2010 - they divorced two years later. Brand's comedic material has been based around promiscuity, alcoholism and substance abuse. He is known for his 'Bohemian' lifestyle, from his 'weavy' hair to his love of yoga and Buddhist beliefs.

Brand was interviewed by Jeremy Paxman for Newsnight, where he was challenged about his editing of The New Statesman, and then interviewed again by Evan Davies for the same programme in 2014. In his second interview for Newsnight, he was asked about his 'revolution' and explained that we should remain 'open-minded' to the possibility of the US government instigating the 9/11 attacks.

digitalspy.co.uk
Brand was interviewed by no-nonsense Newsnight
host Jeremy Paxman in 2013

He launched the YouTube channel Trews (True News) in early 2014 in which Brand 'analyses the news truthfully, spontaneously and with great risk to to his personal freedom'. 

youtube.com
Russell Brand offers his analysis and opinions
on new stories via his YouTube channel, 'The Trews'

What are his issues?

One of the comments Russell Brand is most commonly challenged about is his endorsement of not voting, after having said 'I've never voted, I never will', because he feels that the UK's political system has created a 'disenfranchised, disillusioned underclass' which it has failed to serve and that 'there is nothing worth voting for'. He has said, however, that if people feel there is a party representing their views, they should 'by all means vote for them'. 

thesun.co.uk
Brand has been likened to Communist
revolutionary Ernesto 'Che' Guevara

Brand has also called for a new system based on the 'massive redistribution of wealth', holding the belief that politicians being only interested in 'serving the needs of the corporations'. 

He has said that through is rise to fame and subsequent acquisition of wealth, Russell Brand has seen that 'capitalism is not the answer'. Because of this, Brand has been categorised as socialist. 

johnteehan.com
Poster from Russell Brand's tour

What form have his protests taken?

Russell Brand's YouTube channel (Trews) to 'analyse and dismantle media' and his website are the main platforms for his views.

He has also joined various protests, such as the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York. Perhaps his flagship protest in this the New Era estate protest: Brand joined residents' protests against eviction from a Hackney housing estate by a US investment company wishing to develop the estate.

Alongside Jolyon Rubenstein, Oona Chaplin, Heydon Prowse, Professor Green, Miquita Oliver, Jack Whitehall and Rick Edwards he has appeared in a video for Don't Panic London entitled 'Make Lying in Parliament History', which has racked up around 15,000 views so far, with an e-petition available to sign attached to it. 

change.orgOona Chaplin, Jolyon Rubenstein and Russell Brand
are amongst various celebrities initiating a campaign
to 'make lying in Parliament history'

Has he had any victories?

The residents of the New Era estate and Russell Brand have claimed a recent victory, as Westbrook Partners apparently submitted to public protest and sold the estate to affordable housing group the Dolphin Square Foundation.

Through publication of his book Revolution and high-profile protests, Brand could claim to have had a victory in that his issues have been pushed further up the public agenda.

hackneycitizien.co.uk
Residents of the New Era estate claim victory with
Russell Brand's helped, as their eviction notices are
overturned

What do his supporters think?

Many people like the idea of a socialist revolution, redistribution of wealth and a society which works for the majority, rather than an elite few. His supporters often feel that Brand provides a high-profile voice for their feelings of disillusionment with the current system.

What do his opponents think?

Equally, there are those who think that as Brand doesn't vote, he has no right to criticise the system if he doesn't engage with it in this way. The view is also held that his utopian ideal is just that - utopian, and unachievable.

What is his appeal?

On a superficial level, the way he speaks sometimes appeals - he calls almost everyone 'mate', and tends to use plain English (mostly). He seems relatable, and almost like a normal bloke.

People often find him appealing because of his awareness of his privilege. Unlike many who are wealthy, he appreciates that not everyone has been as fortunate as he has, and has seen how money is not always a force for good. He uses his status and influence 'as a force for good', giving a voice to those who may otherwise have struggled to be heard.

hackneygazette.co.uk
Brand marches with New Era estate supporters

Has he had a positive effect on British politics?

This will very much come down to your personal opinion.

In a November 2014 YouGov poll involving a range of celebrities, Russell Brand was selected as the one with the most negative influence on political debate (46%). This poll also found that 60% disliked him, and 28% liked him.

howmuchmoneytheymake.com

In my opinion, Brand has highlighted some of the issues with the current system in politics, and may well have shed some light onto the reasons behind rising political apathy, especially amongst young people. However, I find his manner and personality occasionally abrasive, which means that I struggle to get past. I also struggle to sympathise with his endorsement of not voting - yes, protests and petitions can bring about change, but generally only on particular issues. If you really want to change how our country is run, I feel that you must cast a vote. If Brand really wants to bring about significant change, then he could be best off voting for the Green Party: the Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems and UKIP all sit on the right-authoritarian section of the political compass, whereas the Greens are in the left-libertarian section. 

Regardless of your opinions of Russell Brand, we must all agree that his actions have certainly got people's attention - if that is at least part of his goal, then Mr. Brand should congratulate himself.

theguardian.com

You can visit Russell Brand's website here, or follow him on Twitter as @rustyrockets.