Sen. Bernie Sanders boosts brother in UK election

Bernie Sanders is backing a Green Party candidate — his brother, Larry Sanders.

The Green Party of England & Wales posted a video of the Vermont senator and former Democratic presidential candidate touting his elder brother, who is running to fill to the British Parliament seat vacated by former prime minister David Cameron.

“Let me be very honest with you and tell you that I do not know a heck of a lot about British politics,” Sanders says in the video. “But I do know a lot about my brother, Larry Sanders. I know a lot about him because Larry has had a very, very strong influence over my life.”

Larry Sanders, who lost a long-shot parliamentary bid last year, grew up in New York City and has dual British and U.S. citizenship after moving to Oxford in 1969. He may be known in this country for his emotional tribute to his brother as he announced the delegate vote tally for Democrats Abroad, a contest Bernie Sanders won, at the Democratic National Convention in July.

“It’s with enormous pride that I cast my vote for Bernie Sanders,” Larry Sanders said, as his brother could be seen fighting tears.

Bernie Sanders showed similar admiration in his video, calling his brother a “very, very caring human being who wants to see government represent all of the people, not just the people on top.”

Larry Sanders, health spokesman of his party, has served as a local councillor and spent eight years as leader of the Oxfordshire County Council Green Group, according to the party. He is campaigning for progressive policies, including fighting privatization of the National Health Service. The election is on Oct. 20.

His campaign statement, targeting the shift of resources and power “from the majority to the richest,” sounds Bernie-esque.

“This is a rich, capable and decent country,” Larry Sanders says. “We can do better."