Month: March 2025

Paul Murphy, SDP candidate for the Runcorn & Helsby by-election

Paul Murphy is the SDP candidate in the Runcorn & Helsby by-election being held on May 1st. We spoke with Paul about his decision to stand.

“I care deeply about the constituency and the country and believe that together we can end the indifference that exists within our political system”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run again?

I was born and raised in Bradford, West Yorkshire, but have lived in Cheshire for the last 10 years. I’ve now lived in Ashton Hayes for 3 years with my wife, daughter and 2 dogs.

I’m not a career politician; I’ve worked in IT as a Product Manager for 22 years. I’ve spent the majority of that time focusing on finding out what people want, then working to deliver it.

As a typical no-nonsense Yorkshireman, I can assure you that with me what you see is what you get. I care deeply about the constituency and the country and believe that together we can end the indifference that exists within our political system.

I decided to stand again for very similar reasons to why I stood last time, people deserve the opportunity to have a real say in the running of the country, something that they do not get considering how similar the two major parties are.

“From the need for well-paying industrialised jobs, to the erosion of the basic services that we all rely on – we can all see that the UK is heading in the wrong direction”

What do you see as the major local concerns for residents in the constituency?

The main concerns haven’t changed since the general election, people feel that the government is out of touch and have a general indifference to the daily lives for their constituents. From the need for well-paying industrialised jobs, to the erosion of the basic services that we all rely on – we can all see that the UK is heading in the wrong direction, and I feel that the SDP is best placed to get the country back on track.

“The reindustrialisation of the UK economy is the area that would be my main goal in parliament”

If elected, what national issues do you hope to champion?

The reindustrialisation of the UK economy is the area that would be my main goal in parliament. The country will simply be unable to grow until we start to produce things for ourselves.

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?

I’d advise people to check out our website, sdp.org.uk. In particular our general election manifesto Homecoming – as well as watching many of the SDP videos on YouTube, or the excellent SDP podcast, Take Me Home.

You can also find out more in our previous interview with Paul.

Ashley Dickenson, Christian Peoples Alliance candidate for the 10th April Sutton Central ward by-election

Ashley Dickenson is the Christian Peoples Alliance (CPA) candidate for the Sutton Central ward by-election in the London Borough of Sutton. We spoke with Ashley about his decision to stand.

“I’m running to promote the Christian Peoples Alliance in this Borough and not least our policies that could benefit Sutton High Street that’s in this ward”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run?

I’m running to promote the Christian Peoples Alliance in this Borough and not least our policies that could benefit Sutton High Street that’s in this ward.  For example, our turnover tax of 5% on turnovers of at least £85,000, offset against corporation tax, in order to reduce business rates that have cost us our High Street shops.  Just earlier this month I read of an independent coffee shop, Tazza, that has been forced to close owing to the ‘chain’ coffee shops in Sutton.  OK this is an issue that needs to be addressed at a national level but, if elected, this is what I would raise, given the opportunity. 

On a more practical level: school buses!  Given that more money has been raised through the ULEZ scheme, is it not possible that a % of that could not fund school buses to reduce school-run traffic and thereby reduce even further any pollution, to say nothing of increasing road works owing to the pressure on our roads.  At one time the Tramlink was proposed for Sutton: this will be pointless unless there’s a re-vitalisation of our High Street, not least through independent and family-run businesses.  

“At least one main concern brought to my attention is the site of the former B & Q on which it is proposed to build new developments called Chalk Green.  Not least the increased pressure on one of our Health Centres”

You’re the candidate for Sutton Central. What are the main concerns in the area?

At least one main concern brought to my attention is the site of the former B & Q on which it is proposed to build new developments called Chalk Green.  Not least the increased pressure on one of our Health Centres; the limited parking which means that homeowners who own cars will have to park (creating ‘overflows’) on nearby roads, adding to parking pressures.  

“Time and again I have witnessed overcrowding on our regular routes by pupils.  If our excellent schools had their own buses, this would go a long way to alleviating the ‘school run’ traffic”

What do you see as the major issues more widely in Sutton and if elected what do you hope to champion?

The housing issue as well as speeding restrictions.  The latter as, if you’re going to have 20 mph imposed on some roads then drivers will increase speeds on other roads to make up ‘for lost time’ as it were and so risk accidents and breaking the speed limit, even 30 mph.  Regarding roads, I refer you back to the need for school buses. 

The benefits of a school bus:

  1. Children are always on time
  2. They can make new friends
  3. Children learn to look after their things
  4. Children learn about time management
  5. Lower accident/crime rate against our children
  6. Parents’ peace of mind.
  7. It would restore the face-to-face contact between friends considering the enforced separation of each other since this pandemic started. As:

When children are being driven to school they contact friends via mobile or tablet. A school bus encourages more natural contact and would help reduce over-dependency on technology, as marvellous as it is.  Though I accept that contact via mobiles will still take place, even on buses.

Time and again I have witnessed overcrowding on our regular routes by pupils.  If our excellent schools had their own buses, this would go a long way to alleviating the ‘school run’ traffic.  We have excellent schools in this Borough. 

Also: leaves!  They are not swept away as regularly as they should be and those that are left I take it on myself to use as compost for our shared garden.  The more upswept leaves end up inside our drains they are blocking the same and so rainwater is not efficiently or sufficiently dealt with. 

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?

You can find out more about the CPA at https://cpaparty.net/ and contact Ashley at [email protected].

Joanna Bishop, Reform UK candidate for the 10th April Sutton Central ward by-election

Joanna Bishop is the Reform UK candidate for the Sutton Central ward by-election in the London Borough of Sutton. We spoke with Joanna about her decision to stand.

“I felt we had been gradually suffocated by the red tape and regulations putting a strain on businesses and making the future seem quite bleak”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run?

My name is Joanna Bishop and I am standing in the Sutton Central ward by-election for the London Borough of Sutton. I have lived in Sutton for 23 years and the wider local area for my entire life.

I decided to run as a candidate having become disillusioned with the successive governments over the past couple of decades. I have always followed politics to a degree but I never felt compelled to join a party before. I started to pay more attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it struck me how badly our country was being run. I felt we had been gradually suffocated by the red tape and regulations putting a strain on businesses and making the future seem quite bleak. Nigel Farage has been on my radar for some time, and I have massive respect for his bravery in standing up and challenging the establishment. I read every word of Reforms contract to the people before the July 2024 general election, and it resonated with me in such a way that I felt compelled to not only vote for Reform but to get stuck in and help.

I have a burning desire to help Reform flourish from grass roots up. I feel like local residents have become so used to inefficient and sometimes incompetent councillors that that’s what they now expect. I would love to turn that around and establish a local support network where I can meet and speak with residents on local issues.

“Sutton high street is the target of shoplifters and local residential properties and vehicles are being targeted by thieves on a regular basis”

You’re the candidate for Sutton Central. What are the main concerns in the area?

Although the violent crime rate is low in Sutton in comparison to the other London boroughs it is still prevalent, and residents would like to see more police presence on our streets. Sutton high street is the target of shoplifters and local residential properties and vehicles are being targeted by thieves on a regular basis.

Local residents have been calling out for their council representative to be accessible and for their concerns to be listened to. I pledge to be a strong voice on the council so that the resident’s voices will finally be heard.

“The council needs to spend the residents’ tax more wisely and cut waste”

What do you see as the major issues more widely in Sutton and if elected what do you hope to champion?

Overhaul Suttons infrastructure. Reduce the mass of restrictions on our roads. Reverse the ULEZ expansion. Better transport links and affordable housing. The council needs to spend the residents’ tax more wisely and cut waste.

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?

You can find out more about Reform UK at https://www.reformparty.uk/, follow us locally on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ReformUKCroydonSutton and get in touch by emailing us at [email protected]. 

“local residents have become so used to inefficient and sometimes incompetent councillors that that’s what they now expect. I would love to turn that around”

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Adam Williams, SDP candidate for Totteridge and Bowerdean in the Buckinghamshire Council elections

Adam Williams is the SDP candidate for Totteridge and Bowerdean in May’s Buckinghamshire Council elections. We spoke with Adam about his decision to stand.

“my standing is an investment in the future of our town. I want to see it succeed for my children and their children after them”

Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us what made you decide to run?

My name is Adam Williams, I’m 27 years old and originally from the West Midlands. I’ve set up shop in Buckinghamshire and I am putting down roots in Wycombe. I’ve decided to run because I believe that High Wycombe offers a lot of potential for young people and their families, and my standing is an investment in the future of our town. I want to see it succeed for my children and their children after them.

I’m standing for the Social Democratic Party as the party of the traditional left. We’re culturally conservative and left leaning on economics. We seek the common good of the British people. We believe in a social market economy, the family, the fraternity of the British nation and aim to provide a political party for those who have given up on the current batch in Parliament and are looking for a hopeful alternative.

“Windrush Drive has appalling potholes, the Red Kite council estate is in disrepair and the tenants are not looked after properly”

You’re the candidate for Totteridge and Bowerdean. What are the main concerns in the area?

Windrush Drive has appalling potholes, the Red Kite council estate is in disrepair and the tenants are not looked after properly, the London Road is used a racetrack at times, and we have major issues with speeding. We’re seeing a rise in major crime events, just the other day the train station had police surrounding it, as well as minor ones such as fly tipping, making the area feel dirty and unsafe.

“I would push for the construction of data centres in Iver and Wycombe in order to facilitate economic growth in the county”

What do you see as the major issues more widely across Buckinghamshire, and if elected, what do you hope to champion?

The major issues across Buckinghamshire and what will I champion are:

  • Drug Crime and associated disorder
  • Pressures the council budget faces from unfunded mandates
  • Economic growth – more jobs in the county rather than being a stop over for London commuters, in particular low and medium skill jobs.
  • Housing for young people

I would push for the construction of data centres in Iver and Wycombe in order to facilitate economic growth in the county, and in my ward in particular I would be focusing on anti-social behaviour, such as littering, fly tipping and speeding, pressuring the council to carry out much needed road repair and advocating for a restoration of the Red Kite council housing to properly suit the tenants needs.

“We seek the common good of the British people. We believe in a social market economy, the family, the fraternity of the British nation”

How can people find out more or get involved in the campaign?