Marian Newton is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Lewisham West and East Dulwich. We spoke with Marian about her decision to stand.
“I believe this country needs drastically reforming, and I just want to help with this as much as I can”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
Born, and grew up in North Derbyshire, I went to art school and a college of technology. I eventually moved to London, and then abroad, to work on the airlines.
I joined the Brexit Party in 2018 and then I became a member of ‘Reform UK’.
“I’d like to give the people the chance to vote for a new common sense, and honest party”
What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?
I believe this country needs drastically reforming, and I just want to help with this as much as I can.
I was asked to ‘stand’ in West Lewisham & Dulwich East. I’d like to give the people the chance to vote for a new common sense, and honest party.
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?
Some of the things that I would look into are the following:-
Lewisham is the 3rd most dangerous borough in London. With violence and sexual offences, homelessness, premature deaths of 75 year olds and education of 19 year-olds without a level 3 qualification etc.
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?
Paul MacDonnell is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for North East Somerset and Hanham. We spoke with Paul about his decision to stand.
“I am an anti-authoritarian Austrian. Brexit was the first step. There is much work to be done to reform the UK”
Briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
Paul MacDonnell was executive director of Global Digital Foundation—a technology-policy think tank which he co-founded—from 2016-2024. He is a specialist in public policy that affects the development and use of digital technology. He is currently researching the threat to free speech posed by government regulation, organisations’ speech-codes, and censorship by digital platforms.
Prior to founding Global Digital Foundation, Paul was head of European policy at the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) in Brussels. Before that he spent 12 years as director of regulatory policy and EU affairs at Insurance Ireland, the industry association of the national and international Irish insurance industry. In 2015 he launched an initiative, supported by the OECD, to develop a workplace auto-enrolment pension for all Irish workers. He began his career with Hill & Knowlton’s government affairs division in London where he provided advice to a number of Fortune 500 companies. In 2001 he co-founded an economic policy forum in Dublin, Open Republic, which, as well as hosting events aimed at policy-makers and politicians on such issues as pensions, taxation and the EU, was the Irish publisher of the Economic Freedom of the World Report. Paul has extensive broadcast and print media experience and has contributed articles to The Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, The Critic Magazine, Economic Affairs, EurActiv, EU Observer, and Europe’s World. He holds a BA in Medieval & Renaissance English Literature and Philosophy from Trinity College Dublin, an MBA from University College Dublin, and a masters degree in Classics from the University of Exeter.
What made you decide to stand for Reform UK
I agree with its platform. The Thatcher-Hayek-inspired revolution has curdled into corporatism and this needs to be opposed. Also I am an anti-authoritarian Austrian. Brexit was the first step. There is much work to be done to reform the UK.
“Jobs are very important, as are skills. We also have issues with poverty in Somerset”
You’re the Spokesman for North East Somerset and Hanhamwhat’s made you decide to represent this area?
I live in Somerset (in the constituency of Wells next-door) and I am interested the county.
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?
Jobs are very important, as are skills. We also have issues with poverty in Somerset and I believe that a clear lead from government where help is sharply defined and decisively offered to those who need it should be available while those who do not understand their obligations to work and improve their skills need to be encouraged to re-engage with the community as workers and citizens.
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?
Ian Cooper is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Tamworth. We spoke with Ian about his decision to stand.
“I joined Reform UK because like many individuals across the UK. I had grown disillusioned with the main parties, both, having a credit card thickness between them on many issues”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Ian Cooper, originally from Nottingham. I’ve worked in business and industry all my professional life. First on the shop floor, eventually ending up as a business director.
I’m from a working/middle class family background. I started as an apprentice lithographic printer with a local firm, moving through various aspect of the industry. I’ve worked along the length of the industry supply chain, from manufacturer, sales & marketing to end user/customer. On my business journey I did a business degree and finally a post graduate MBA. Later I spent approximately 10 years in politics. After my experience with politics, I worked with a variety of businesses both large and small, ending up as a director of an accounting company based in Birmingham.
What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?
I joined Reform UK because like many individuals across the UK. I had grown disillusioned with the main parties, both, having a credit card thickness between them on many issues, and both only offer the electorate a “Uni-Party” choice at the ballot box. Reform UK supply an opportunity for the electorate to choose a party that has the interests of the whole of the UK at heart, and not the current offering of a technocratic-managerial approach to managed decline of the UK. Reform offer something fresh and new, with a positive vision of the UK, and an alternative the vast majority support, if given the opportunity.
“I’ve lived in Tamworth nearly 30 years, I do business in Tamworth with SME’s and I’m a member of a local business networking group”
You’re the Spokesman for Tamworthwhat’s made you decide to represent this area?
I’ve lived in Tamworth nearly 30 years, I do business in Tamworth with SME’s and I’m a member of a local business networking group. My children also grew up here (now grown up and moved away) etc. Outside school, they were members of the swimming club, drama group and sports teams. Also, I was the “Head Steward” on the Day, for the local Canwell Agricultural Show (one of the largest one day shows in the Midlands) for 11 years. Plus, I was also a former borough and parish councillor. So, I’ve lots of local roots and connections.
“There is extreme pressure to build more homes in an already overcrowded borough, the road infrastructure is crumbling, we don’t have enough GPs or hospital capacity”
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?
The biggest concerns for Tamworth are the cost of living, housing and local services. As one example (there are others) These problems are exacerbated by mass uncontrolled economic migration. The UK has seen an explosion in the population over the past 25 years, both legal and illegal economic migration, combined with stagnant economic growth (over a long period of time). This has resulted in the prosperity of everyone in the UK declining (GDP per capita) due to, too many individuals chasing too few resources. There is extreme pressure to build more homes in an already overcrowded borough, the road infrastructure is crumbling, we don’t have enough GPs or hospital capacity and we have competition for low wages being undercut by new arrivals, making everyone poorer. Finally, our only purpose built hotel in the town centre has been requisitioned and is full of illegal economic migrants who freely roam the town with the resultant consequences.
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?
If you live in the Tamworth Constituency, would like to help, and/or donate then please get in touch by emailing me at: [email protected]
