Political Job for Caine as star joins UK campaign
By Estelle Shirbon Estelle Shirbon – 7 mins ago
LONDON (Reuters) – Michael Caine, the movie actor loved by generations of Britons for his roles in cult classics like "The Italian Job" and "Get Carter," put in a different kind of performance on Thursday when he waded into British politics.
Caine made a surprise appearance at a campaign event staged by the opposition Conservatives, who are seeking to unseat the ruling Labour Party in an election on May 6, to present their plan for a "national citizen service" for 16-year-olds.
"You may think to yourself 'what the hell is he doing here?'," Caine said as he stepped onto the podium with Conservative leader David Cameron, who will be the next prime minister if the party wins.
"I'm here because I'm a representative of all those youngsters that have been forgotten in this country," said Caine, 77, who rose from the tough London area of Elephant and Castle to glory in Hollywood, where he has won two Oscars.
The Conservative proposal is an eight-week program aimed at bringing together teenagers from different backgrounds, setting them sporting challenges to foster self-discipline and team work, and encouraging them to get involved in community work.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_britain_election_caine;_ylt=AokmL8C0KsWH.EUGH9LbZOXmWMcF![](http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20100408/i/r1941201345.jpg)
British actor Michael Caine speaks during a news conference with Conservative Party leader David Cameron and Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Michael Gove
(2nd R) in central London, April 8, 2010. REUTERS/Toby Melville