A former drag queen who once played a prominent role in Manchester Pride has been elected as a councillor for Reform UK and is calling on local authorities to stop funding Pride events.

Michael Felse, who previously performed under the drag name Ethol Mary and led the 2011 Manchester Pride parade, won a by-election in Salford on 22 April after switching to Nigel Farage’s political party. Since then, he has distanced himself from his drag persona and now presents himself with a more traditionally masculine image, which he refers to as “Captain England.”

Despite his past in the drag scene and his earlier involvement in Pride, Felse has been openly critical of what he describes as “woke” policies within local government. He argues that councils should stop subsidising Pride events, claiming that such initiatives bring little value to social inclusion, and should instead focus on what he considers the core responsibilities of municipal governance.

He also responded to criticism following his political shift, stating that he was strongly attacked online after revealing his affiliation with Reform UK. According to him, much of the backlash came from people who disagreed with his views.

In a 2011 interview, however, Felse described it as an honour to serve as Pride Queen. At that time, he emphasised the importance of diversity and individuality, stating that people do not fit into a single box and that self-expression can play a meaningful role in society.