Sebastian Moore is the SDP prospective candidate for Manchester Central. We spoke with Sebastian about his decision to stand.
“A party that is serious about fixing the broken political system. A party that recognises that a nation is built on family and community and that the upper limit of democracy is the nation state”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
I grew up in Dorset as the youngest of five children. I’m grateful to my parents that we always ate dinner around the kitchen table and they encouraged talk of politics, religion, and anything else. When I left school, I became an English teacher and lived in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the Maldives. After a friend and I spent some time making YouTube videos around Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, we finally accepted that we should start living an adult life and moved to Manchester. I have lived here a few years now and I work as a maths tutor as well as getting involved in various things in the local community.
What made you decide to stand for the SDP?
Our current era is one of polarisation. If you support the renationalisation of the railways, people think you must be a Corbynite. If you’re proud of the country, you’re deemed conservative. When I came across the reemergent Social Democratic Party, I was amazed. Here’s a party that is both pro-market and pro-public sector. A party that is serious about fixing the broken political system. A party that recognises that a nation is built on family and community and that the upper limit of democracy is the nation state. I realised that for the first time in my life, I wanted to become a member of a political party. They didn’t yet have a candidate for Manchester Central, so I put my name forward and I was delighted that they accepted me. I’m going to tell myself that I fought off stiff competition for the nomination.
“Manchester has become my home. As a city, it is special. Where the industrial revolution took off. The first canal, the first railway. It is international but also local”
You’re the Spokesman for Manchester Central what’s made you decide to represent this area?
When I moved back to the UK, I came to Manchester with all my belongings and no house or job. The first few months were cold and dark, both metaphorically and literally. It turns out that finding either a house or job is no easy task nowadays. I was fortunate that it worked out in the end and in the years since, Manchester has become my home. As a city, it is special. Where the industrial revolution took off. The first canal, the first railway. It is international but also local. I find it hard to walk through town without bumping into someone I know. Our voting system means that the city is often neglected by politics. The Labour party is adamant that it will win the constituency. And so are the other parties. This means that the voters are taken for granted. I want to offer them a real choice. I am standing in Manchester Central because it is my home and I am ready to fight for it.
“For too long, the main parties have been allowed to control the agenda and maintain the status quo while the nation slowly decays”
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?
We face many of the same issues as the rest of the country. Some, like the housing crisis, are felt even more strongly in this area than elsewhere. During the last academic year, Manchester universities paid students to live in other parts of the country because there was not enough accommodation here. Our system currently operates on policies that are in opposition to each other. This is because the establishment parties have no vision. As I cycle around the city bouncing in and out of potholes, I am reminded of the state of things. While the poor condition of the roads is a problem in itself, it is a symptom of deeper fractures. For too long, the main parties have been allowed to control the agenda and maintain the status quo while the nation slowly decays. As the representative of Manchester Central, I will go to Westminster and make the people’s voice heard. It’s time for our politics to be shaken up.
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign
There is a role for anyone willing to help with the campaign. From delivering leaflets, to canvassing, or even strategizing. If you want to help create a society which cares for its citizens, where you know your neighbours, and whose communities thrive, come and join us. This is your call up. It’s time to get on the pitch.
My email address is [email protected]. I live in Castlefield. Drop me a message and I’ll put the kettle on.
You can find out more about the SDP at https://sdp.org.uk/.
