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

When James Small-Edwards told his father he wanted to go into politics, rather than become a professional rugby player, he was nervous to say the least.

Understandable, perhaps, as his dad is rugby league legend Shaun Edwards.

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

‘Everyone thought I wanted him to become a rugby player,’ Shaun said as he helped James, 25, canvas around Bayswater, west London, where he is standing for Labour in Thursday’s local elections.

‘He didn’t know I always wanted him to go into politics. When he told me he was almost a little apologetic,’ the 55-year-old added.

At a time when trust in politicians is low, both dad and son insist parties across the spectrum are dominated by decent people trying to help others.

‘I think it’s a noble journey, to make anywhere in the country a better place to live for people,’ Shaun added.

Of his own ambitions, James said: ‘I wouldn’t be going into something if I thought it was just a bunch of self-serving people. I really want to make a difference.

‘Do I think we need to restore a bit of honesty and decency in politics? Absolutely.

‘The people making the laws can’t be breaking the laws,’ he said, referring to the government’s Partygate scandal.

From a young age, he was interested in politics — growing up in a household where such matters were a regular topic of conversation for his parents Shaun and M People singer Heather Small.

‘My opinion was valued and that gave me the interest,’ he explained.

But the inspiration to stand came from the early days of the pandemic, when he volunteered to help at a food bank.

‘The changes we were making were short-term. I realised the only way to make long-term