Category: GE2024

Jonathan Thackray is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Dewsbury and Batley.  We spoke with Jonathan about his decision to stand.

“there is a real need for a new party to the right of British politics as the Conservatives shift to the left”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I am a local lad, who has had enough of the status quo: high debt, high migration both legal and illegal, useless public services from our broke NHS to our woke Police who’d rather police words than police crime.

What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?

I joined Reform just over a year ago as it was the only political party that was willing to take on the establishment. I made the decision to put my head above the parapet not long after, as I was taught from a young age to fight for what I believe in and what I believe in is the Reform UK message. Additionally, the political climate we find ourselves in has meant that there is a real need for a new party to the right of British politics as the Conservatives shift to the left while pretending to be Conservative with their ‘catchy’ slogans. I believe we at Reform UK will fill the void and I think it’s clear to see by looking at our rampant rise in the polls.

“At Reform UK we have a clear message that we need to make work pay, as for too many people it does not pay to work as they could be financially better off on out of work benefits”

You’re the spokesperson for Dewsbury and Batley what’s made you decide to represent this area?

As I have already touched upon, I am local to the area and have spent a lot of time in both Dewsbury and Batley. But the main reason I decided to represent Dewsbury and Batley is because in my view it is one of the most mistreated constituencies in the country, mistreated by both Westminster and the local Kirklees Council. Furthermore, Mark Eastwood (Current Conservative MP for Dewsbury) and Kim Leadbetter (Current Labour MP for Batley & Spen) due to the remapping of the constituency have decided to run elsewhere so I feel there is a good chance to get in and try and make real meaningful change for the people of Dewsbury and Batley.

“Labour led Kirklees Council, over the past few months they have been planning closures across the board from leisure centres to care homes”

What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?

One of my biggest concerns is that in Dewsbury and Batley just under half of our constituents are economically inactive, this is a huge problem. But unfortunately, this has been completely ignored by the government and it certainly looks like to me that they simply aren’t bothered about getting people off benefits and into work. At Reform UK we have a clear message that we need to make work pay, as for too many people it does not pay to work as they could be financially better off on out of work benefits. One policy which I will certainly be championing is lifting the minimum income tax threshold from £12,571 per annum to £20,000 this will free up 6 million people from paying income tax which amounts to approximately 1 in 5 taxpayers.

Another one of my biggest concerns is the Labour led Kirklees Council, over the past few months they have been planning closures across the board from leisure centres to care homes, they have backtracked on most of their planned closures due to the public outrage. However, there is no doubt in my mind that cuts will soon be forthcoming as they have manged to rack up a £47 million deficit due to their wasteful spending and the Conservatives poor economic management which has left everyone worse off.  

For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?

Anyone can volunteer on our website, using this link https://www.reformparty.uk/volunteer-and-help their local candidate will then be in touch with details about how they can help when needed. Alternatively, volunteers can contact their local candidate via email.

I’d be very grateful for any support to help me in my campaign, anyone who wishes to contact me can send me an email at [email protected] I appreciate all whom email me and I do my best to respond in a reasonable time. You can also follow me on X at https://twitter.com/JRThackray. Alternatively, you can donate to my GoFundMe https://gofund.me/ee656d3c. 

I would like to thank all those who have read this article. 

Hamish Haddow is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Chipping Barnet.  We spoke with Hamish about his decision to stand.

“My personal vision is, when I leave this mortal coil, to have left this country in a better state than when my grandparents left it”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I am Hamish Haddow, Reform Party Spokesman for the Chipping Barnet Constituency.  Having been brought up in Kent, I have also had the privilege in living in both South Africa & Zimbabwe. After doing a Business Degree, I have been in IT Management for thirty years with industry qualifications.  I live in Hertfordshire, near to Chipping Barnet, with my wife. I have three children.  I am very active in the local community and a member of the local Rugby club, PCC, and other charity work.

My personal vision is, when I leave this mortal coil, to have left this country in a better state than when my grandparents left it. 

“Migration is out of control, RNLI working as a taxi service for illegal immigrants. Reckless spending and not on the British residents. Retired Servicemen sleeping on the streets”

What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?

My father was a Conservative Councillor for Holborn and my family have always supported the Tories, as I have done in the past.  However, I feel betrayed.  They do not represent my Patriotic and Conservative values anymore, having made our Great Britain worse than when they got into power, 13 years ago.  Migration is out of control, RNLI working as a taxi service for illegal immigrants. Reckless spending and not on the British residents. Retired Servicemen sleeping on the streets, whilst illegal asylum seekers are placed in 4-star hotels.  British History is still not being taught in schools, but rather LGBT rhetoric and other nonsense.  My father is turning in his grave.

You’re the Spokesman for Chipping Barnet what’s made you decide to represent this area?

I used to work for the Barnet Council and know Barnet very well, living close by.  My grandparents used to live in Barnet, before moving to Kent.  I love the high street and iconic St John’s and Hadley common with St Mary’s.  People have a lot to be proud of.

“Working for the council I saw the waste that councils spend money on and whilst Barnet is not as bad as others, there is no accountability when they ask for a bail out”

What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?

Barnet has the worse potholes on record in the country.  The Mayors thieving fingers are taking out of the pockets of every Londoner, most especially now with ULEZ.  Working for the council I saw the waste that councils spend money on and whilst Barnet is not as bad as others, there is no accountability when they ask for a bail out.  Antisemitism is out of control in London and this needs to end.  Enough is Enough of woke police and teachers. Enough is Enough of migration destroying our beautiful country and taking away housing and opportunities from Londoners.

For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?

We are slowly building up a fantastic team of Volunteers in Chipping Barnet and we need more help to get out there and speak to all our residents. Anyone interested in getting involved can contact me on [email protected]. 

We are very active on Twitter @rukchipbarnet.  We have setup a Just Giving page to help with producing flyers and banners etc. https://t.co/MBq6d3BPYq

You can also find out more about Reform at https://www.reformparty.uk/.

Thomas Mallon is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Chatham and Aylesford.  We spoke with Thomas about his decision to stand.

“I believe in fairness in society and in the power of people governance and free speech”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I have lived and worked in and around the Kent area for over 28 years, firstly in Building Construction and housing, before moving into Warehouse and Logistic Management. During that time, I met and married my Wife, who is from a loving and caring Chatham family.

I have an NVQ in Political Modern Studies and have been interested in Politics and how it can, and should work for the people, for most of my life. As I believe in fairness in society and in the power of people governance and free speech.

Therefore, I would be honoured to represent the people of Chatham and Aylesford constituency. To help make the constituency a safer place to live, and bring about the changes and reforms the area needs to make the area, Medway, Kent, and Great Britain great again.

What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?

I have put myself forward to stand for the Reform Party as we are the only party willing to listen to the people, and to put forward common sense policies on making Britain great again, by putting money back into people’s pockets by cutting taxes on incomes and at the same time have a plan for growth, growing the police force with more bobbies on the beat, reforming the NHS for the better and making fuel bills cheaper.

“I have seen the outcome of over 20 years of the failure by Labour and the Conservatives to protect people, property and small businesses in the area”

You’re the Spokesman for Chatham and Aylesford what’s made you decide to represent this area?

My Wife and all her family are from Chatham, and after living and working in the Kent area for 28 years I have seen the outcome of over 20 years of the failure by Labour and the Conservatives to protect people, property and small businesses in the area. We can reform Chatham and the surrounding areas to be safer places to live and work.

“A lot of the problems facing the area are safety, high bills, high rents, NHS waiting lists”

What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?

A lot of the problems facing the area are safety, high bills, high rents, NHS waiting lists, finding a Dentist, homelessness, adequate housing for families and road infrastructures. All this needs to be addressed, I will look into all of them.

For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?

Anyone can get involved with helping out in any matter of ways, by either becoming a full member at www.reformparty.uk or help out by assisting with posting leaflets, street stalls and word of mouth, you can also find out about events and meetings by following us on these platforms. 

Email: [email protected]
Twitter (X): @ReformChatham
Facebook: Reform UK – Chatham and Aylesford
Instagram: reformukchatham
Go Fund Me: https://gofund.me/b31491a5

William Fotheringham-Bray is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Sittingbourne and Sheppey.  We spoke with William about his decision to stand.

“I am a strong advocate for the concept of individual liberties such as the freedom of speech, the rights to own property, and the right to a fair trial”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I am a 23-year-old, fresh out of university, man working within my local communities here in Sittingbourne and Sheppey. I studied film at University and am now focusing on my independent film projects, my day-to day work, and providing a voluntary service for the local libraries whenever I can. I was too young to vote for Brexit but I would have most certainly have done so and I would do again! Unlike what keyboard warriors would have you believe, I am a strong advocate for the concept of individual liberties such as the freedom of speech, the rights to own property, and the right to a fair trial. My personal key political aspirations is the lowering of income tax, bringing down immigration figures, and the abolition of the undemocratic First-Past-the-Post voting system. That doesn’t sound far-right to me!

“I took the pledge to stand for Reform UK because I was betrayed! Boris Johnson failed to make the most of the Brexit opportunities we were given. On top of this, we shattered our economy by locking the nation down”

What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?

I took the pledge to stand for Reform UK because I was betrayed! Boris Johnson failed to make the most of the Brexit opportunities we were given. On top of this, we shattered our economy by locking the nation down which only saw mega-corporations make a decent profit whilst small to medium businesses were decimated. Then there’s the spending, end money pits of spending that haven’t improved the British standard of living in the slightest! The wasteful HS2 project, funding the endless suffering and conflict in Ukraine, and simply throwing BILLIONS away to nations that do not need our aid (India). I became politically homeless, until I discovered Reform UK in my last year of uni. I did my research, make some calls, and then decided that I wanted to be a part of of a REAL conservative party, something new, something filled with ordinary working to middle class people. I’ve stood for Reform in the 2023 local elections as well as a by-election, and I have every intention to fight against the Tories in my home constituency.

You’re the Spokesman for Sittingbourne and Sheppey what’s made you decide to represent this area?

Apart from my time away at university, I have known no other home then Sittingbourne and Sheppey. I live on both the Isle of Sheppey and Sittingbourne and have come to love the familiar highstreets, as well as seeing my home constituency develop and grow its amenities and local businesses. During COVID, the high street took a beating, but thankfully it still has that familiar feeling for me. In addition to this, the farming sector here is strong, and with food security becoming an every more prevalent problem, I would look to bolster the farming industry here as much as I can.     

“I would tackle head on the net zero lunacy that threatens our farmers from axing carbon taxes to making it easier to obtain licenses to remove badgers from infecting livestock with TB”

What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?

Being a Kent constituency, the issue of illegal immigration is a constant reminder. I’ve had calls from concerned citizens from neighbouring Faversham about illegal migrants being dropped into local communities without informing or having the consent of the locals. Under Reform UK, I would do my all to ensure that NO illegal migrants are settled in Sittingbourne or Sheppey. Another key focus, as mentioned prior, is the farming sector. Both me and Reform UK know that without Farmers, there is no food, and the growing globalist agenda is that of war against farmers. We’ve seen it in the Netherlands, France, Germany, and practically the entire EU. Under Reform UK administration, I would see to it at our British farmers are not driven out of their own markets by cheap imported food, and I would tackle head on the net zero lunacy that threatens our farmers from axing carbon taxes to making it easier to obtain licenses to remove badgers from infecting livestock with TB.

For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?

You can find out more about Reform at https://www.reformparty.uk/.  My Twitter account is @WillReformUK. For anyone eager to help in my campaign, please email [email protected]

Richard Barker is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Woking.  We spoke with Richard about his decision to stand.

“While it is understood that a pandemic would challenge any government, many of the draconian measures deployed to achieve compliance, particularly the shutting-down of opposing views, were totally unacceptable”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

Born and schooled in Hastings, on the south coast of England, an interest in science and a passion for the natural world at an early age led me to study geology at university. This was followed by an enjoyable career of more than 30 years as a geoscientist in the global oil and gas industry, with significant focus on optimising production for the UK.

I moved to the outskirts of Chobham village in 2007, just to the north of Woking, where I live happily with my wife, son, two spirited chihuahuas and a garden full of nature that consumes far too much of my time to maintain!

“Reform UK will thus protect what are often cited as the ‘Four Pillars of Civilisation’: Cheap Energy, Meritocracy, Law and Order, and Freedom of Speech.
All pillars are currently under attack!”

What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?

Passionate about my country and wanting to see it thrive, I will never forget the sense of relief and hope I felt as the Tories were swept to power on election night in December 2019. Yet this only made the subsequent betrayal by the Tories, on so many levels, even harder to bear.

While it is understood that a pandemic would challenge any government, many of the draconian measures deployed to achieve compliance, particularly the shutting-down of opposing views, were totally unacceptable. Such groupthink that pervaded Westminster was (and is) only paralleled by the eco-zealotry with which climate change fanaticism took root; championed by the Tories, ‘Net Zero’ policies now unleash havoc across British industry, the economy and the public, with the consequent shocking rise in energy bills and taxes to subsidise unreliable, intermittent energy sources. The same ‘Net Zero’ under which imports to the UK receive an emissions ‘free-pass’ under the Climate Change Act! This will impoverish the British people and we need to change direction fast.

The established parties have morphed into a single mindset. Uncontrolled mass immigration, high taxation, low growth with big state/state interference are now endorsed across the political spectrum. A total failure by the Tories to address the ‘woke’ agenda taking root across society, eroding freedom of speech, promoting anti-white racism, re-writing our history and threatening our culture, can only be interpreted as endorsement of its objectives. Furthermore, the total failure to implement Brexit simply raises suspicions as to the Tories’ belief in our country’s future as an independent sovereign nation.

Reform UK stands almost alone in promoting those values which made Britain a prosperous nation: Freedom (of speech, from tyranny or coercion), the Enterprise Economy (supporting entrepreneurs and businesses), Excellence in Public Services (education, health, police etc.) and Sovereignty (of the people legitimately transferred to parliament, Brexit, free trade). Reform UK will thus protect what are often cited as the ‘Four Pillars of Civilisation’: Cheap Energy, Meritocracy, Law and Order, and Freedom of Speech.

All pillars are currently under attack!

“ULEZ expansion is also a concern for many, with potential additional transport costs for private individuals and businesses alike. Reform would scrap ULEZ altogether.”

You’re the Spokesman for Woking. What’s made you decide to represent this area?

Woking is the main town and business centre close to where I have lived, on the outskirts of Chobham, for the past 17 years. I wanted to represent a constituency near home that had both its own strong business community, where I believe I could have a positive impact, but was also a significant London commuter hub, likely presenting both domestic and international commerce perspectives.

What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?

Many of Woking’s issues are caused by a failure of central government policy cascading down, causing local problems. For example, a report in the Woking News & Mail in January 2023 highlighted that of around 18,000 people living in poverty in the constituency, about 11% had a cardiovascular or respiratory condition. This is a concern because, as stated by the Office for National Statistics, people in poverty are more exposed to the cold, and so more likely to be hospitalised or die as a result of such conditions. The high cost of energy is literally putting lives at risk and needs addressing urgently.

ULEZ expansion is also a concern for many, with potential additional transport costs for private individuals and businesses alike. Reform would scrap ULEZ altogether.

“Perhaps of greatest concern was the effective declaration of Woking Borough Council’s bankruptcy in June 2023 which now threatens services and facilities within the borough, such as the much enjoyed ‘Pool in the Park’ recreational centre”

Another ‘Net Zero’ drive, the UK Energy Bill 2023 passed with little opposition and yet grants enforcement rights to enter private properties to ensure home owners meet energy performance regulations. Failure to comply could lead to fines of up to £15,000, or 12-months imprisonment. This is state over-reach to a level not before witnessed in Britain with such legislation heaping additional costs onto private individuals against the threat of a custodial sentence.

Local businesses I have spoken to comment on increased amounts of bureaucracy, particularly in regards to accounts reporting to HMRC. This is wasted time and effort, that could be better spent growing their business.

Perhaps of greatest concern was the effective declaration of Woking Borough Council’s bankruptcy in June 2023 which now threatens services and facilities within the borough, such as the much enjoyed ‘Pool in the Park’ recreational centre. Government commissioners’ investigation into the (then Tory) council yielded serious concerns as to the ‘exceptional level of financial and commercial risk’ and ‘its approach to strategic financial decision-making’. My initial review of the causes of failure suggest the whole governance structure of local government needs reforming, to ensure decision-making at an appropriate level of competence, effective processes with appropriate checks and balances, peer review, and oversight.

For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?

If you are also disillusioned with the established parties and support a significant shift in politics, then join the Reform Party, volunteer and help us campaign.

I can be contacted on email: [email protected]

You can also follow me on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ReformUKWoking and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReformUKWoking/