TL;DR
- Michael Felse, ex-drag queen, runs for Reform UK.
- Led Manchester Pride in 2011 as Ethol Mary.
- Criticized for his shift to Reform UK.
- Calls for councils to cut Pride funding.
- Promotes a new ‘butch Captain England’ persona.
In a twist that’s as unexpected as a surprise drag performance, Michael Felse, the former drag queen who once led the Manchester Pride parade, is now strutting his way into the political arena. This flamboyant figure has announced his candidacy for Reform UK in the upcoming Salford by-election, and let’s just say, the reactions are anything but muted.
Felse, who has lived in Salford for three decades, is no stranger to the spotlight. He previously made headlines as an independent candidate in Doncaster’s 2009 mayoral election and as a representative for the English Democrats in Salford’s 2012 mayoral election. Spoiler alert: he didn’t exactly take home the crown, finishing in eighth place with a mere 3.6 percent of the vote. But hey, in politics, it’s not about how you start; it’s how you sashay to the finish line.
Back in 2011, Felse was the star of the Manchester Pride parade as his drag alter ego, Ethol Mary. He described himself as “more like a Grimsby docker than Lady Gaga,” but that didn’t stop him from leading over a hundred floats through the city. When he was dared to compete for the title of Parade Queen, he embraced the challenge, saying, “It’s considered to be an honour to be the Pride Queen and for some strange reason this year it is going to be me.” Talk about turning a dare into a dazzling moment!
But now, Felse has swapped his sequins for a more serious political persona. He’s ditched the drag and is launching a new alter-ego: the “butch Captain England,” a character he claims will fight for diversity, inclusion, and kinship. He’s not just playing dress-up; he’s making a statement about how politics can be engaging without being boring. “I don’t think I’ll be taken as a joke,” he insists. “It’s really important that we don’t suddenly think that everyone fits in one box.”
However, not everyone is on board with Felse’s political pivot. He’s faced backlash from some corners of the LGBTQ community, particularly from readers of PinkNews, who criticized his decision to align with Reform UK. Felse didn’t hold back, stating, “Hundreds of online lefties on PinkNews attacked my honest opinion instead of facing up to the facts of left wing councils’ woke projects that waste millions.” Ouch! Sounds like he’s ready to stir the pot.
Felse has also called for local councils to stop funding Pride events, which he believes do little to improve social cohesion. Instead, he argues that the focus should be on practical solutions, like providing council tax cuts for pensioners facing poverty. “Councils need to stop funding woke projects which are egotistical efforts to fool we council tax payers,” he declared. It’s a bold stance that’s sure to raise eyebrows.
As he prepares for the Salford by-election, Felse is determined to bring his unique flair to the political scene. Whether you love him or hate him, one thing’s for sure: he’s not afraid to shake things up. So, will this former drag queen turn politician be able to make a splash in the political waters of Salford? Only time will tell, but you can bet we’ll be watching closely!