Russell Brand on the New Era Estate rent row

Comedian Russell Brand tells Channel 4 News why he is supporting tenants at the New Era Estate who fear their rent could be increased after a takeover by a US property company.

[annereddin]

There seems to be a lot of people that agree with Russell's but dont like him cos he's rich. Its the message that matters and his fame gives him a great platform to spread it. He does come from a working class background, that is why he feels empathy for these people. We all need to start working together to spread this message (which isn't his by the way)  and not let our differences tear us apart.

[siliconstate]

That reporter is worse, he very likely has a nice big house! The difference is even if Russell Brand has earned money, he could just hide in an ivory tower and do nothing to help other people, but he's there showing solidarity with them. Which is far more than the majority of rich celebs who couldn't give a stuff about the rest of us mere mortals do. Good on him, we need more like him!

[SpadaBelformaOfficial]

Never been a fan of Brand or consider him a funny person but you gotta admit he's got a heart of gold

[merlinoman]

For the journalist it was all about that last smile on his face. He wasn't interested in the 'New Era Estate'. His only goal was just to get Russel frustrated. And having Russel shouting at him was the best possible result.

[bunnyspangle]

What Brand says is interesting - this situation reminds him of his childhood, a sense of powerlessness - this autobiographical fact explains why he identifies strongly with others in an unequal power balance as evidenced by his support for the powerless against powerful landlords.

[TristanJCumpole]

Ultimately the magnitude of difference in wealth between the "super rich" and the poor has been brought into stark reality the last few years. Is Russell one of these "super rich" because he made a bit of money and can rent a house in London? No. Certainly not. His money is not made off the misery of throwing the poor out of their homes. Reframing the debate is correct, and I am glad he managed to point that out whilst this reporter harangued him at high speed in an attempt to rattle him. Bad show. The whole point of this is about better social equality in education, housing and choice of government representation. The poor can't afford the private education that it seems is necessary as a gateway to politics. They don't have a reasonable guarantee of housing and support from the state. You can be sure that you don't want them voting for anybody that represents or affords them any degree of choice either! That would mean....a democracy of sorts....

[BobutBrody]

"You care about the poor, yet you still own a car. Please explain yourself."

Just awful, lazy stuff.

[GabagoolForeverAndAlways]

The public need people like Russell as he is bringing a lot of attention to these issues which otherwise would be ignored if he never.

[seriouslydont]

Russell is using his voice as he said to amplify the problems present. These issues wouldn't get any media coverage whatsoever but Russell is happy to give support and stand side by side people battling to survive. He's standing up for just ordinary people that are having their properties taken away from them, pretty special if you ask me; this isn't to glorify himself and there's nothing for him to gain. he just understands ordinary people because he is one... You do not have to be poor to help the poor people, if you are rich or poor they will say either way your opinion isn't valid, sod off.

[PRT]

bang on point.. the undermining little snide. Well played Russel.

[untitled]

i love how journalists try and make a negative of the fact that he's rich. Sure he's made money from his career but how many rich people do you see out campaigning for the rights of less wealthy people? Very few

[buhce]

I used to hate Russell Brand - My Booky wook and all that. But I first starting to realise there was more to him after watching a BBC documentary he was in about Jack Kerouac called Russell Brand on the Road. Since then I've given him a chance and have been quite surprised.
The interesting thing is, how out of touch and out classed experienced journalists seem when talking to Russell Brand, it's really quite remarkable. They're trained to look for the angle, find the scoop. So when they're faced with someone that just wants to help they don't know what to do, so that whenever someone attempts to 'bang him to rights' they always end up looking stupid and out dated.  I've followed this whole Brand thing all quite closely, the media are slowly pecking away at Brand and trying to find that weak point that every human being has so that he'll crack and do something silly to show us that he's not worth listening to. You have to wonder why they are trying to do this, especially during this report. Why they're are trying to ridicule a person that is using his fame and fortune to help. Sure he's a media whore, but he's at least doing it in a way that is fairly open, encourages positive debate and highlights causes that'd be otherwise buried by media/businesses.

[lewisgrace]

The New Era Estate resident who chimes in near the end is superb.

[Merlinthehappypig]

Guys, the reporter isn't just saying "oh why don't you just give the money to the poor instead of a fancy flat" like most of you are saying. He is saying Russell is CONTRIBUTING to an major issue (super rich buying property in london)
So the reporter is right, kinda.

[Mrpaulscott]

Massive respect for Russell Brand, he's using his celebrity status to do what many of us average Joes only wish we could do. And as usual, the media are doing everything they can to discredit him because he's waking people up. Keep going fella, we'll get there!

[billingtonmarc]

There needs to be adequate housing for all income groups the reporter was being an idiot by saying Russell was part of the problem just because he has a home in London.

[drmarrese]

pathetic nonsensical question, of course Brand has money... whats one supposed to do before trying to help others, give away all their money? The point is he is trying to help, and there are many as rich and far richer that don't give a shit about anyone else. Moot point, the TV crew are only there because of him highlighting the issue, brands only there because of his celebrity, with celebrity comes money. 

[dulcettonezzz]

What a hero. A millionaire who when he isn’t flashing in front of women, he’s taking a stand against the people who are doing the same thing he himself does

[glennoconnor]

Why so much hate? Finally a guy who has celebrity status wants to Only to find people hate him for doing that haha! Strange you lot

[MikeNewlad]

Russell was born in London, he's a West Ham fan and he was raised on a council estate. Is the journalist saying he should move out of town just because he's earned enough money to live in the nicer part of it? 

Wanna know why more rich people don't stick up for the poor? It makes them an easy target for assholes like this journalist to call them hypocrites. Brand lives in the same system as all of us, he can't help that and the boy done good. Now he's trying to give back, so why attack him for it.