Actor Michael Caine offered support Thursday for a Conservative Party proposal of a civilian service program — drawing on his working-class roots to appeal for help for disaffected youths.
The two-time Oscar winning actor appeared on the same stage as opposition leader David Cameron to support the National Citizen Service.
"You may think to yourself 'what the hell is he doing here, why is he here?',
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A supporter of Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s, Caine had been won over by former Prime Minister Tony Blair in Labour's sweep to power in 1997. But Caine has expressed anger over Labour's tax plans — the top bracket income tax rate rose to 50 percent last week — and threatened to leave the country if taxes went higher.
He said last year he would support Cameron,
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"My view of politicians is that we elect them as servants," he said later at a visit to a London school. "For two terms they are our servants,
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Caine has for decades been one of Britain's most popular and accomplished actors, ranging from early roles in classics like "Alfie" and "Get Carter" and "The Italian Job" to contemporary parts in the high-budget Batman series. He has excelled in comedy,
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He has been nominated for six Academy Awards, winning the best supporting actor Oscar in 2000 for "The Cider House Rules" and in 1987 for "Hannah and Her Sisters." He received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2000.
The program offers two-month summer social activities such as looking after the elderly. The Labour Party also has proposed a program aimed at young people.
Last April,
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Caine said he was able to pull himself up from unfortunate circumstances — though he acknowledged times had changed. Young people need a second chance, he said.
"What I had was a loving family, a loving father and an education," he said. "And what I didn't have — I didn't have drugs and I didn't have guns.
"You have now a very, very hard core of people who we've got really to save,
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Associated Press Writers Greg Katz and David Stringer contributed to this story.
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