England rugby star Maro Itoje reveals he could one day enter POLITICS, says he’d vote for ‘endearing’ Sir Keir Starmer rather than Boris Johnson – and STICKS UP for ex-minister Gavin Williamson for confusing him with Marcus Rashford
- Maro Itoje has opened up on his passion and aspirations regarding politics
- The Saracens star is currently in the midst of England’s Six Nations campaign
- The 27-year-old has long been considering what life away from rugby will be like
- Itoje said he’d vote for Sir Keir Starmer over Boris Johnson at the next election
England rugby hero Maro Itoje has revealed he will consider going into politics after his playing career has come to an end.
In an interview in the latest edition of Men’s Health magazine, the 27-year-old said he’d vote for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at the next general election. He also offered ex-education minister Gavin Williamson a reprieve after he mixed him up with Manchester United and England international Marcus Rashford.
Itoje, who is part of the England squad currently competing in the Six Nations, still thinks the Conservatives would win the next election.
‘I feel as if we are in a state where we don’t have a government that is impressive, but the opposition is not making a compelling enough case,’ he told Men’s Health UK. ‘If there was an election tomorrow, I think the Tories would win.’
But Itoje added he would vote for Labour and Starmer after choosing the Liberal Democrats at the last election.
‘I would vote Labour this time,’ he said. ‘I think Keir Starmer is a serious politician. He doesn’t have the charisma of Johnson, but he is a serious and more endearing politician, with a deeper feel and affection for the country.’
Maro Itoje has opened up on his views on politics in a wide-ranging Men’s Health UK interview
Itoje, who is in England’s Six Nations side, even said he’d consider a political career after rugby
Itoje revealed that he’d vote for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at the next general election
Itoje also outlined his belief that Gavin Williamson made a genuine error when he mistakenly referred to meeting Rashford instead of Itoje over Zoom in the pandemic.
‘This goes contrary to the narrative, but I actually believe it was a genuine mistake,’ Itoje said. ‘We don’t look alike, we don’t speak alike, but I think it must have been a long interview, he got side-tracked and confused.
‘I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. When we spoke, he knew I was me, not Marcus Rashford.’
Itoje said he has been thinking about life after rugby for a few years and is keen to try something away from the sport.
‘I started thinking about post-rugby a few years ago,’ he said. ‘How you transition, what I might do, how to have a stable financial situation. People find the transition so hard, so it’s important to plan ahead.
‘I try not to be identified exclusively as a rugby player. I want to be a success in a sphere independent from rugby.
‘I’m interested in politics, I am interested in business, I am interested in certain charities, I am interested in art. I would want to keep a connection to rugby, but I won’t be a coach, I wouldn’t want to be a pundit. I’d maybe do a World Cup or a Lions tour, but not on the circuit.
‘Obviously if I didn’t have physical attributes I would not be a rugby player. I’d maybe be a journalist or politician. (Laughs). I was fairly late to rugby and it didn’t come naturally to me.
Itoje believes Starmer has ‘a deeper feeling of affection for the country’ than Boris Johnson
Itoje also said he believes Gavin Williamson made a genuine error when he mixed the rugby star up with England and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford
Williamson said in an interview he had met Rashford (above) over Zoom in the pandemic but it was actually Itoje who he had been speaking with
Maro Itoje was speaking to Men’s Health ‘Talking Heads’ columnist, Alastair Campbell, in the March issue of the magazine, on sale from 9th February. Also available as a digital edition.
‘Speak to coaches from when I was 12 to 15, they would say I was tall, strong and athletic, but there were players far more talented than I was.
‘But I surpassed them and had more success due to how much attention I paid to consistency, work ethic, my mental approach to the game.
‘I would say that I make no excuses but leave no stone unturned. I do whatever I can to be in a position to perform at my best.’
Itoje was speaking to Alastair Campbell for the Men’s Health UK piece, who asked him if his approach to his game makes him focus more on his own game than that of his team.
‘I understand but disagree. I have read your (Campbell’s) Winners book and you’d agree there are different styles of leadership.
‘There is no one way to lead,’ Itoje said. ‘Tony Blair led differently to Gordon Brown, or to Margaret Thatcher.
Itoje said that he has long been considering what his life away from rugby will be like
‘He [Boris Johnson] is very different, yeah. Even looking at Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher, take the politics out of it and it’s fair to say they were two very good leaders, but very different.
‘Or look at basketball: Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, LeBron James – all leaders of their teams, all different.
‘Everyone has scope for leadership and you have to find the way it works for you.’
Itoje was also asked about the mis-reporting of back athletes in the media and said: ‘Black athletes are often getting reported as someone else. You see a picture of Anthony Joshua and they say it is Anthony Watson.
Itoje will return to Six Nations action with England against Italy this coming weekend
Itoje and England lost their opening Six Nations encounter 20-17 against Scotland
‘In rugby, Ellis Genge and Lewis Ludlam have been mistaken for each other numerous times. A lot of it is about the language and the imagery.
‘A white teenager gets murdered and we hear about the great kid from a loving family; a black teenager gets murdered and it’s all about gangs and hoodies.’
Itoje and England lost their first Six Nations match 20-17 against Scotland. They return to action on Sunday against Italy.
Maro Itoje was speaking to Men’s Health ‘Talking Heads’ columnist, Alastair Campbell, in the March issue of the magazine, on sale from 9th February. Also available as a digital edition.
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