TL;DR
- Sandra Spitz, a drag queen pro wrestler, is running against Keir Starmer in local elections.
- Braines, the performer, has a comedic wrestling persona gaining popularity.
- He switched from Labour to the Green Party due to disappointment with Starmer.
- The Greens are seen as a viable option after recent successes.
- Braines emphasizes the importance of conscience in political decisions.
In a dazzling display of charisma and courage, drag queen pro wrestler Sandra Spitz is stepping into the political ring, ready to take on none other than Keir Starmer in the upcoming local elections on May 7. Representing the Green Party in Newham, East London, Sandra—whose real name is Steven Braines—is not just a contender; she’s a force of nature.
Speaking to the Daily Star, Braines shared how the Green Party has surged in popularity under the leadership of Zack Polanski. “The party numbers have soared, and people now see that the Greens have a chance of winning, especially after the Gorton and Denton byelection,” he said, showcasing the party’s growing momentum.
But it’s not all serious politics for Sandra. On election day, she’ll be performing at the queer-owned Hustle Wrestling in Hackney, bringing her unique blend of humor and athleticism to the ring. Sandra’s comedic wrestling routines have been making waves on social media, even attracting the attention of pop icon Lana Del Rey and fellow drag queen Violet Chachki, who both follow her on Instagram.
“Sandra is a Blackpool landlady whose magician husband left her for his new assistant Abraca-Debra,” Braines explained, giving us a glimpse into the fabulous character he created during lockdown boredom. “She started as a stand-up character, and it takes me about five minutes to get ready in her costume. It’s very much of the Lily Savage style of drag. But I like to put the costume on; I feel like a court jester a little bit. You can speak truth to power using the character.” Now that’s what we call a political statement!
Once a loyal Labour voter, Braines severed ties with the party, citing disappointment with Starmer’s leadership. “As someone who has a lot of trans friends, I saw how the Labour government let those people down. I was disappointed with their stance on Gaza, the winter fuel cut, and how slow they were at lifting the two-child benefit cap,” he lamented. “It just didn’t feel like a typical Labour government. I know they have done some good things, but Keir Starmer is not my favourite choice for Labour leader.”
Now, as a proud representative of the Green Party, Braines is all about the party’s inclusive and flexible approach to politics. “I like that Zack Polanski has the attitude of, ‘we might not agree on everything, but as long as we have the same moral outlook, we’ll be ok,’” he shared. “I also like how their councillors aren’t whipped to vote in line. I think there are many things that should be a matter of conscience. So, unless there is a huge policy lurch, the Greens are my home now.”
With a drag queen in the political arena, the future looks fabulously fierce. Will Sandra Spitz bring the heat to the elections? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: she’s ready to rumble and make her voice heard!