Rugby legend Shaun Edwards proud of son’s ‘noble’ decision to go into politics

James Small-Edwards is the son of Rugby Union coach Shaun Edwards (Image: Clara Molden for Metro Newspaper)

When James Small-Edwards informed his father he needed to enter politics, quite than turn into an expert rugby participant, he was nervous to say the least.

Comprehensible, maybe, as his dad is rugby league legend Shaun Edwards.

However the former sporting star, who now works as a coach for the French rugby union staff, couldn’t be prouder of his son.

‘Everybody thought I needed him to turn into a rugby participant,’ Shaun stated as he helped James, 25, canvas round Bayswater, west London, the place he's standing for Labour in Thursday’s native elections.

‘He didn’t know I all the time needed him to enter politics. When he informed me he was virtually a little bit apologetic,’ the 55-year-old added.

Shaun joined his son canvassing in Bayswater (Image: Clara Molden for Metro Newspaper)

At a time when belief in politicians is low, each dad and son insist events throughout the spectrum are dominated by respectable individuals attempting to assist others.

‘I feel it’s a noble journey, to make anyplace within the nation a greater place to reside for individuals,’ Shaun added.

Of his personal ambitions, James stated: ‘I wouldn’t be going into one thing if I believed it was only a bunch of self-serving individuals. I actually need to make a distinction.

‘Do I feel we have to restore a little bit of honesty and decency in politics? Completely.

Shaun Edwards at the moment coaches the French Rugby Union staff (Image: Stu Forster/Getty Photos)

‘The individuals making the legal guidelines can’t be breaking the legal guidelines,’ he stated, referring to the federal government’s Partygate scandal.

From a younger age, he was taken with politics — rising up in a family the place such issues have been a daily matter of dialog for his dad and mom Shaun and M Individuals singer Heather Small.

‘My opinion was valued and that gave me the curiosity,’ he defined.

However the inspiration to face got here from the early days of the pandemic, when he volunteered to assist at a meals financial institution.

‘The modifications we have been making have been short-term. I realised the one technique to make long-term modifications in individuals’s lives is thru politics,’ he stated. Points raised on the doorstep embody acquainted matters reminiscent of bettering waste collections and avenue repairs.

However James added: ‘One factor that retains developing is the cost-of-living disaster — there may be a number of anger about it — and the prime minister and events.’

And what's residents’ response after they open their doorways to seek out James and his well-known dad standing there?

‘There was power,’ Shaun stated. ‘He’s higher wanting than me, so I keep out of the best way.’

For a listing of candidates standing within the Could 5 election go to westminster.gov.uk.

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