Maureen Martin is (until they were postponed) a Greater London Assembly candidate for the Christian Parties Alliance (CPA). Maureen has run for parliament in Lewisham East in every election since 2015, which has included a by-election. The CPA is as you would suspect a Christian Party and also has a comprehensive manifesto that offers a full programme for Government. We have previously spoken with Candace Mitchell who stood for the CPA in Croydon North in GE2019. We spoke with Maureen about what led her to run or the CPA, her experiences running and their priorities for London.
Maureen thank-you for your time.
Could
you tell us a little about your background?
I am
a born and bred Londoner from South East London. I lived in Canada for 14
years between 1989-2003 where I became a born again Christian. It a very
valuable experience living in another culture who have a different world view
than most Europeans. North American’s are much more Patriotic on a whole.
I have been in property management/housing for the past 13 years which I
enjoy immensely. I am single with no children.
“Britain needs Christian values again, the moral decline must be stemmed. When government Legislation is a willing accomplice in the moral decline of our nation it is time to act”
What
lead you to be a candidate in the Greater London Assembly elections?
I have been a member of the Christian Peoples Alliance since about 2009 an active member since 2015 when I ran in my constituency in the GE representing the CPA. I have, since voting age been a very conscientious voter seeing it as my civic duty. Especially as a person of colour I honour those who sacrificed for me on two counts, being an ethnic minority and a woman, for me to be able to vote. Britain needs Christian values again, the moral decline must be stemmed. When government legislation is a willing accomplice in the moral decline of our nation it is time to act.
Some of our readers might not be familiar with the CPA. At a national level what are you key priorities?
Our priorities are clear: Support Marriage and the family, Respect life from conception to natural death. Protecting unborn babies is one of our key objectives, Make tax fair and care for the poor. We would end the scandal of the multinational corporations such as Facebook and Google avoiding Corporation tax by moving their profits abroad with a turnover tax to offset corporation tax. Also provide free shelters for the homeless. Fight Crime: support people leaving prison to lower re-offending rates. Also empower the police to do their job concerning the knife crime epidemic.
CPA General Election 2019 campaign video
You ran in Lewisham East by-election against David Kurten and Sean Finch who we have worked with. How did you find the experience?
It was a valuable experience I found David very friendly and I thoroughly enjoyed his presentation, in fact I agreed with just about everything he said. His focus the knife crime issue and how the current mayor had dealt with the growing problem. I like working with other candidates even if we have different views.
The police should have arrested the protesters and allowed the Hustings to take place. Free speech was hindered that day!
You were part of the by-election was the bazar and infamous hustings that the police closed down. (Watch on YouTube) What are you memories from that day?
This was quite bazaar. I had to be escorted into the building by two police persons because of the human blockade. There was a great deal of jostling, thankfully I was able to get into the building, some of my CPA party members did not gain access. The police should have arrested the protesters and allowed the Hustings to take place. Free speech was hindered that day!
“Another major issue being ignored by this administration is homelessness which in London is quite clearly on the increase”
The GLA and Mayor have key duties on Transport and Policing. What are your priorities for London?
The CPA priorities would be to tackle knife crime, this is a scourge in our communities and must be met head on with a comprehensive plan which this mayoral administration has failed to do. Another major issue being ignored by this administration is homelessness which in London is quite clearly on the increase and of course this links into the London Housing crisis, which again the CPA will address with a comprehensive housing policy outlined in our manifesto.
Any thoughts you would like to leave us with?
London needs a fresh approach, new ideas that are creative and innovative. If the same old parties are continually given the reigns of control in government the result for the electorate will be mush of the same, ineffective unproductive policies that often just waste money and yield very little results.
The British Government could be set to ramp up its measures to control the spread of the Coronavirus, amid mounting criticism of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s handling of the situation. Mike Swadling, School Governor and member of the Croydon constitutionalists, reflects on the subject.
+++ As so often is happening at the moment events overtook what was said +++
“There is an importance to keeping these children educated, there is an importance to allow their parents and families to work and schools provide a lot of facilities for children beyond just their education, and the longer we can keep that going; the better”
“I think that it’s important that the British Government tries to get things as back to normal as possible, as quickly as possible and that we aim for that bounce back”
“It’s not like you can’t have a video conference or an audio conference and agree on the way forward, there is nothing that has fundamentally changed about the fact that the UK has left the EU, and frankly the European’s completely inept response so far, suggests all the more reason for us to free ourselves quicker”
Owing to the ongoing Coronavirus crisis and following the latest government advice we are postponing the drinks we had planned for Saturday 21st March in New Addington. As soon as things are back up and running we will reschedule and hope to see you there.
With the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland all but certain to leave the various clutches of the EU and its institutions on the 31st of December 2020 (after some false starts), Peter Sonnex – Parliamentary Candidate for the Brexit Party in Croydon South, then Croydon Central – reflects on the Brexit Party, his role in the 2019 General Election and the future. Is that Brexit done, then?
“I am proud of what we achieved. I remain humbled by the selfless support of a team of volunteers, coming from all walks of life and political persuasions”
As a veteran, definitely not a politician, I was involved in
politics for the first time to achieve an effect: delivery on the result of the
2016 Referendum; the UK becoming, once again, a self-governing, independent
coastal nation; and, setting the conditions for wider political reform. I am
proud of what we achieved. I remain humbled by the selfless support of a team
of volunteers, coming from all walks of life and political persuasions, who
committed themselves in all weathers to the causes of upholding our democracy
and restoring trust in our institutions. We got it done!
My wife, Lesley, was the greatest supporter. Without
question she walked more miles, delivered more leaflets, stood on more street
stalls and, as my election agent, went through the nomination process twice as
I stood first in Croydon South, then Croydon Central. My debt of gratitude, as
with my carbon footprint, is irredeemable.
My campaign manager, “Chris”, provided energy and
challenge in equal measure. His experience, local knowledge and drive for
justice as much as political reform were invaluable. It is a sad reflection of
politics, with its unnecessarily toxic environment for those who choose to get
involved, that “Chris” will be known only as “Chris”.
Some wailing about ‘splitting the vote’, the very odd expletive when canvassing and petty online trolling aside – I enjoyed the election experience; from being energised by political rallies, the overwhelmingly positive reception on the fabled “doorstep”, street stalls, hustings, leafleting, social media interactions to media opportunities – all mysteries hitherto. Even without the prospect of electoral success, save for any seismic national factor which didn’t materialise, I was compelled to take part. I felt it was important enough to provide a voice and a candidate on the burning issues of the day. More than I could have hoped for, I was marginalised (some may say, brilliantly) by the Conservative Party campaign as they necessarily and increasingly took up the rhetoric, focus, determination and manifesto (Contract) of the Brexit Party and Nigel Farage.
Listening to Croydon’s Chris Philp MP and Councillor Mario
Creatura change their tune on the EU in the interests of capturing the
electorate and for their party to exist at all, let alone remain in power, was
as enlightening about politics as it was – a sad reflection on me – amusing.
Sorry…
Strategically, I think there were four elements to the (even
now barely a year old) Brexit Party achieving its effect:
Winning the 23 May 2019 election to the EU Parliament, especially in the Labour Party heartlands of the North East and the North West (the so-called Red Wall). Labour had been found wanting among the five million Labour Party supporters who had voted to leave the EU. This became key in winning support for the Conservative Party who promised to “Get Brexit Done!”
Failure, thank goodness, at getting Theresa May’s Chequers-launched withdrawal agreement through parliament, combined with the EU election result, led to a change of PM and a new cabinet;
The Brexit Party standing up over 600 credible prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) on the 4th of November 2019 provided an existential threat to the Conservative Party. Even the Evening Standard was forced to headline that day with “Nigel Farage pushes Tory general election campaign off track” (as ministers plead [with] him to withdraw Brexit Party Candidates); and,
The unilateral decision on the 11th of November, just a week later, to stand down 317 Brexit Party PPCs* so as not to risk either a hung parliament, a second EU referendum or a referendum on Scottish independence.
[*The strict rule of not standing in a seat with a
Conservative hold or win in the 2017 General Election was not without criticism
(understatement). It did not account for seats where ‘remainer’ Conservatives
had joined other parties or where they had retired or otherwise stood down. A
great deal of talent and political goodwill/horsepower was lost or
disenfranchised as a result.]
“the government’s approach to control of our territorial waters, are being monitored by legacy Brexit Party MEPs and supporters”
That said, operationally on Brexit, there is still a long
way to go… Much remains to be resolved. We should be most wary of the following
during the transition period:
Our contingent liability to the European
Investment Bank (EIB). After joining the EU, the UK became a member of the EIB,
with a 16% capital share. The UK has contributed over €3.5bn and has over
€35.4bn of ‘callable capital’. ‘Callable capital’ is a contingent liability,
i.e. money which the UK would be obliged to pay if the EIB suffered losses it
was unable to cover using its accumulated reserves. As shareholders in the
European Central Bank (ECB), our contingent liabilities could be as high as
€200-400bn – who knows…;
The wedge hammered into our Union (in relation
to NI) by continued ‘dynamic alignment’;
Existing commitment or further consideration (as
required in the Political Declaration, given legal effect in the Withdrawal
Agreement) of integration in military Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO),
similar to NATO, as part of the EU’s security and defence policy (CSDP) over
normal bilateral cooperation as necessary in the national interest;
Fragility of the Eurozone economies;
Fragility of EU cohesion amid, among other
things, high EU youth unemployment; and,
Challenges on the Greece-Turkey border as we
speak!
These topics, with the government’s approach to control of our territorial waters, are being monitored by legacy Brexit Party MEPs and supporters as part of a Brexit Barometer. We are not going away until Brexit is truly done.
I am no cheerleader for the Conservative Party, but…
Nationally, I think we can be heartened by the government’s
opening approaches to Brexit negotiations. The sticking points at the end of
the first week are those relating to our independence: withdrawal from the
European Convention on Human Rights; the role of the European Court of Justice;
the maintenance of a level playing field for UK and EU businesses; and,
conditions on future access for EU fishing fleets to UK waters. The EU may just
be realising any final deal has to respect that the UK shall be independent of
its institutional orbit, laws and courts.
I think we can be encouraged by the government’s intention
to honour manifesto pledges on immigration and infrastructure investment. It is
good to see the spotlights falling on the House of Lords and the BBC. Our
government and institutions must be held to account for what they promise, do
and say in our name. Whatever they do, they cannot be institutionally
dishonest, biased, unaccountable or wasteful.
I think we can be buoyed by the government’s handling of the
recent flooding and the ongoing Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak. History will
tell… Would a Labour Party in government have done any better?
The gulf between provision in the NHS and in social care
remains to be addressed, and we are watching here, too. We are keen to see
enduring cross-party approaches and consensus removing health and social care
as perennial political footballs. No political party owns our NHS.
“We are in a complete pickle over free speech as debate, even the truth, is shut down by either cancelling an opposing view or legislating against it”
We are in a complete pickle over free speech as debate, even
the truth, is shut down by either cancelling an opposing view or legislating
against it. I see light in the topic of free speech being discussed more often
and more openly. It requires as much education as it does leadership and
example. But please, no more legislation to appease sensitivities…
As a teacher, leader and example, how good a PM is Boris
Johnson? We don’t know yet. On the evidence, he remains ambiguous, past and
present, on so many issues, including on those relating to the EU. He is
utterly unambiguous though on power as it relates to his party being the party
of government. The lesson learned in our democracy is to listen to the people.
In particular he is and needs to keep listening to those who lent their votes
in order to uphold our democracy and get Brexit done!
Locally, we have a failing Mayor of London hiding in plain
sight. On knife crime and housing alone he can only be found wanting. And yet,
on a typically low turnout he is most likely to be re-elected to deliver more
of the same in the face of no credible opposition candidate. It hurts that earlier
this year, the Brexit Party chose not to engage in the Mayoral, GLA and local
elections. Voices for an electorate looking at slates of least-worst options
have been denied. Democracy, eh?
“For Croydon, I really do hope for a democratically elected mayor to be empowered to deliver for everyone and be held to account by the borough as a whole”
Closer to home, we see the usual partisan Punch and Judy show that is the Croydon Borough Council. What a revelation it would be to see councillors united in their approach to knife crime, development, housing and reform solely in the Borough residents’ interest, and for the long term. For Croydon, I really do hope for a democratically elected mayor to be empowered to deliver for everyone and be held to account by the borough as a whole. DEMOC – now, let’s get that done!
The debate too hot for the BBC to handle… (we asked they declined)
Owing to the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, we have had to postpone this event. We still intend to hold and will share new dates as soon as possible.
The Croydon Constitutionalists are delighted to host a forum on the Future of the BBC.
Croydon Councillor Jeet Bains, Yasmin Fitzpatrick former Brexit Party candidate and Harry Fone of the TaxPayers’ Alliance will present their views on what’s next for the Corporation.
We are then pleased to give you the opportunity to present your thoughts for a couple of minutes to the panel and those assembled. Followed by a panel discussion.
Join us 7pm Tuesday 21st April. – New date to be announced. South Croydon Conservative Club 60 Selsdon Road. South Croydon. CR2 6PE
Yasmin Fitzpatrick was the Brexit Party PPC for East Surrey. Yasmin is a former BBC Executive and Channel 4 Commissioning Editor.
Conservative Councillor Jeet Bains stood in Luton North in the 2019 General Election. He first became a councillor in 2010 in the then Coulsdon West ward. In 2018 he ran in Addiscombe East and in a surprising result split the ward taking the seat from Labour.
Harry Fone is developing the TaxPayers’ Alliance grassroots network to apply pressure on the government and local authorities across the country. He often found in Croydon campaigning for local Council Tax payers or canvassing across the country.
We are joined once again by Sean Finch of the Libertarian Party and Hoong-Wai Cheah of UKIP to discuss the future of democracy & freedom in the UK, Progressive Liberalism vs Classical Liberalism and how we can fight back against the woke culture so prevalent in parts of our society today.
Mike Swadling from the Croydon Constitutionalists was interviewed on Sputnik Radio about the Confederation of British Industry call on the UK’s government to make businesses aware about potential changes to bureaucracy after Brexit.
“we are talking almost four years now since the referendum, and obviously the referendum had a running period itself, businesses have had lots of opportunities, and I think that most big businesses would have already implemented their Brexit plans”
“The only sensible decision for the EU countries is to have a Canada style free trade deal with the UK, but I’m not sure that they will do that, and I fear that the dictatorship in the Commission may win, but for Britain, it works either way”
“it just depends on whether the EU has any vestiges of democracy left in it or not”
GLA Member David Kurten was elected as part of the UKIP list in 2016, he now sits as part of the Brexit Alliance. He has stood for UKIP leadership, been the party Education spokesperson, and ran in the 2018 Lewisham East by-election and in Bognor Regis & Littlehampton in the 2019 general election. David has a local connection to Croydon, working as a teacher at the Royal Russell School. David has also spoken at two of the Croydon Constitutionalists’ events, discussing Britain’s Opportunities outside the EU, and Freedom of speech.
David is now running as an Independent Candidate for the Mayor of London and London Assembly.
David thanks for your time.
“I’m very much an outsider against the progressive hegemony which rules politics in the UK and especially in London”
You have been in the GLA for the last 4 years holding Sadiq Khan to account. How’s that experience been, and what do you make of Mayor Khan’s tenure?
It has been tough as I’m very much an outsider against the
progressive hegemony which rules politics in the UK and especially in London. I
have stated that the housing crisis in London is the result of over-demand
caused by mass, rapid immigration, called for a no-deal Brexit and supported
President Trump, and have got a lot of flak for doing so. Mayor and Khan are
two words which should not really exist together: he has been a terrible Mayor
concerned with virtue signalling and self-publicity while presiding over a huge
increase in violent crime which is spiralling out of control.
As well as talking at a couple of the Croydon Constitutionalists events you have taught in Croydon. What are your memories of the town, and what do you see as the major issues today?
I taught Chemistry at Royal Russell School between 2001 and 2003.
Croydon now seems completely unrecognisable with all the new skyscrapers which
have gone up over the last 10 years. It seems to have lost its small-town
suburban feel, and become a place which is far more transient with fewer people
who have a connection or roots in the town. This is a malaise which many places
are suffering from, especially in outer London – as people move out or are
priced out, they are replaced by new people who are not rooted in the town and
it loses its character and sense of community.
Your career has taken you to Botswana, Bosnia-Herzegovina, New York and Bermuda. Any favourite places or weird experiences?
I loved Botswana for its sense of space. It is a huge country
twice the size of France with fewer than 2 million people there. Thus it is
amazing for wildlife, especially in the parks, although once my car nearly got
crushed by a rhino who was not looking where he was going!
“people will have the choice to vote for someone pro-Brexit, pro-Trump and anti-woke if they want to”
What made you choose to stand as an Independent for Mayor?
I’m standing in both the Mayor and Assembly elections in May 2020.
I got actively involved in politics in 2012 because I wanted to leave the EU,
and also to stand up to the suffocating culture of political correctness. We
have now left the EU Parliament and Commission and we will leave the Single
Market and Customs Union on 31st December, although there is
still much to do to ensure that we do not just leave in name only on 31st December.
There is still a great need to restore common sense to the country
in the face of ‘woke culture’ which is becoming more bizarre and insane every
week. None of the other parties who have put forward a candidate will restore
common sense – they are all part of the problem – so I decided to stand as an
independent so that people will have the choice to vote for someone pro-Brexit,
pro-Trump and anti-woke if they want to.
The role of Mayor has significant powers over Transport and Policing what are your priorities in these areas?
We need an end to politically correct policing. The job of the
police is to catch criminals and lock them up. Police need to use stop and
search as a tool to find and catch criminals who are carrying knives, machetes
and guns – there is no excuse for this. Stop and search needs to be targeted at
the people who are most likely to be the perpetrators of these crimes, i.e.
young, black men, who are also disproportionately the victims as well. Stop and
search is not pleasant but it will cut crime and make London safer.
The current Mayor wants to expand the ULEZ charging zone up to the
north and south circular roads, meaning that millions of vehicles will be
caught by an extra £12.50 per day. I disagree with this and would not expand
the ULEZ charging zone.
London’s roads have been clogged up by cycle superhighway
construction on main roads. I would call an immediate end to building cycle
superhighways on main roads, and return some of them to motor vehicles where
possible.
Crossrail must be finished with no more delay, but I am opposed to
HS2. The huge amount of money that HS2 needs could fund hundreds of projects
all over the country, including some in London like the Bakerloo line extension
and Tramlink extension in Sutton.
“Mass, rapid immigration has caused unsustainable demand for housing, especially in London where the population has increased by 2 million in the last 20 years”
What other areas would you like to focus on as Mayor?
London needs more affordable housing, but new homes should be
built in a way which is sensitive to the existing historical character of the
neighbourhoods they are built in. However, no amount of new homes will solve
the current housing crisis until the underlying issues are addressed:
Mass, rapid immigration has caused unsustainable demand for housing, especially in London where the population has increased by 2 million in the last 20 years.
Help to Buy has artificially inflated house prices; it needs to end.
Right to Buy has devastated council housing stocks so there are far fewer affordable homes available – it needs either to end, or be reformed so that Right to Buy homes are sold at market price and councils are able to re-invest the money into building or purchasing new housing stock.
How can people get involved in your campaign?
My website – www.davidkurten.net – has more details of my policies, a sign-up form to get involved and a crowdfunding page. Please have a look!
We are joined by Sean Finch of the Libertarian Party and Hoong-Wai Cheah of UKIP to discuss libertarianism, what it means to them and how their respective parties approach policy making from a libertarian perspective.
