Category: Interview

Alex Culley is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Southampton Itchen. We spoke with Alex about his decision to stand.

“the seemingly constant attacks on our heritage and culture from radical elements which are either indulged or promoted by the legacy parties”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Alex Culley. I live in Eastleigh (next door to Southampton Itchen) and am an owner of a small consulting business based in Southampton. The business helps firms active in the financial services industry understand the raft of regulations they are subject to.

I am a father to two boys. In my limited spare time I enjoy reading, learning new things, travelling and watching a variety of sports.

What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?

I decided to stand for Reform UK simply because I have had enough of the:

• dysfunctional political system. It is no accident that Parliament meanders from one crisis to another. The First Past the Post electoral system gives rise to “safe seats” which are attractive to careerists who appear to stand for nothing other than election. Nepotism is a designed in feature of the system of political appointments to the House of Lords;  
• the seemingly constant attacks on our heritage and culture from radical elements which are either indulged or promoted by the legacy parties; and
• liberal elite’s total contempt for public concerns about the impact mass immigration is having on our country.

Reform UK has an excellent set of policies to tackle these issues. For example, we would:

• shake up our political system by replacing the House of Lords with a smaller second chamber and introducing proportional voting for the House of Commons;
• legislate to stop left-wing bias and ‘woke’ ideology; and
• freeze all non-essential immigration.  

“I can regularly be found at St Mary’s on a matchday. Furthermore, being based in next door Eastleigh, I am a frequent visitor to the city’s bars, restaurants, shops”

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

I have a strong emotional connection to the area.

My father hails from Southampton Itchen (Thornhill). He left when he joined the Royal Air Force during the Cold War. However, as a child I would spend many happy weekends and holidays in the constituency visiting my relatives. Naturally, I caught the Southampton FC bug too! I can regularly be found at St Mary’s on a matchday. Furthermore, being based in next door Eastleigh, I am a frequent visitor to the city’s bars, restaurants, shops and leisure facilities and want to see them thrive.

“Council tax, rents, parking charges and fees on the Itchen Bridge have all risen to help cover the shortfall. Many are anxious to ensure that a Birmingham style financial collapse does not occur in Southampton”

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

In my view, the biggest concern which is specific to the constituency is the financial situation at Southampton City Council. Threatened with bankruptcy, the Council was forced to seek emergency government assistance earlier this year. Council tax, rents, parking charges and fees on the Itchen Bridge have all risen to help cover the shortfall. Many are anxious to ensure that a Birmingham style financial collapse does not occur in Southampton. 

Other significant concerns include the public health risks currently posed by the high levels of e. Coli in the River Itchen, the availability and quality of social housing and improving Southampton’s transport infrastructure, particularly to maximise the benefits of the Solent Freeport.

I especially hope to champion:

• the preservation, and balanced presentation of, British history, culture and traditions;
• the promotion of free speech; and
• prudent financial management, both locally and nationally.

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

Being a snap election, the campaign will largely be comprised of the following activities:

• leafleting;
• displaying boards;
• participating in hustings; and
• possibly, also operating some street stalls or “round town” style events. 

Any offers of assistance would be greatly appreciated. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to get involved.

You can also find me on X/Twitter at https://twitter.com/CulleyC58841.

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 Hanham what’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?

Contact me on : [email protected], see my X profile: @paulmacdonnell and find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ReformUKNESH.

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 Tamworth what’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]

You can also help by liking and sharing my Reform UK Facebook page: www.facebook.com/IanCooperReformUK/

Irene Yoong-Henery is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Birmingham Ladywood. We spoke with Irene about her decision to stand.

“The NHS appears to have a culture of Death at the moment, whether it is due to a lack of resources or “woke” ideology. All lives are precious to God”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I will be standing as a Reform UK parliamentary candidate for Birmingham Ladywood in the General Election on 4/July/2024. I was born in Malaysia (previously a British colony for 133 years). I studied at a Catholic convent school founded by British nuns for 11 years. Later I also studied in Singapore, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom where I qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant.

I started my professional career at J. Sainsbury’s plc, preparing and monitoring multi-million pound budgets for hundreds of its supermarkets from Scotland, to Northern Ireland, to Coventry, for 5 years. I then embarked on a legal career as CEO of Ian Henery Solicitors Ltd for 23 years. I have worked with local and international businesses, promoting British businesses overseas in China and Hong Kong. I was part of the England China Business Forum in Birmingham.

However I have now retired from professional life to work for the good of our country.

I will be very pleased to meet Ladywood constituents and find out what their concerns are affecting them and their families.

What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?

I was approached to become a Reform candidate through my work as Chairperson of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) Walsall branch. I am a staunch Catholic and am convinced that I can save hundreds of thousands of lives, the lives of mothers and their babies, if better laws are passed in parliament. DIY abortions by poison- pills-in-the-post may save the NHS money but the outcomes are terrible for both mother and baby. The NHS appears to have a culture of Death at the moment, whether it is due to a lack of resources or “woke” ideology. All lives are precious to God and as Christians, we must do our outmost to preserve lives. Reform UK has a large number of Christians as members and we are all working to improve the quality of life for British people. “We want our country back” is often heard amongst our members and we mean to turn back the clock to a more gentle and peaceful period where British people went to church, loved God, King/Queen and country, and did not shout hatred at each other and tear down statues nor stop traffic and hold the British public to ransom with impossible demands.

“I speak Mandarin to Chinese Mainland constituents, Cantonese to Hong Kong constituents, Malay to Malaysian & Indonesian constituents, and English to everyone”

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

I am representing Birmingham Ladywood which encompasses Chinatown where I had 2 branches of my law firm for many years. We were a full service law firm that won many awards and were well respected in the Chinese community. We also won the Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year award from Birmingham Law Society. I still count many business owners in Chinatown as friends, and they are supporting my campaign. I speak Mandarin to Chinese Mainland constituents, Cantonese to Hong Kong constituents, Malay to Malaysian & Indonesian constituents, and English to everyone else! As I spent my childhood in Malaysia which has a majority of Muslims, I can relate to Muslims. In some wards within Ladywood, there are up to 84% Muslim constituents.

“We have the ridiculous situation of a lack of housing in Birmingham, yet we have nearly 1000 apartments in Perry Barr, Birmingham from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, still standing empty”

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

The big concerns that Birmingham Ladywood constituents have brought up for my attention during my campaigning which started last year, are crime, housing, immigration, the rising costs of living. Amongst Muslim and Christian parents, they are also concerned about LGBT teachings in the classrooms. Asian families want schools to concentrate on helping their children get straight A’s in the exams, and woke ideology to be banned. As a mother of 4, I can understand these parents’ concerns and would fight for all these issues. We have the ridiculous situation of a lack of housing in Birmingham, yet we have nearly 1000 apartments in Perry Barr, Birmingham from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, still standing empty. We need to bail out Birmingham City Council in order to complete the development, sell the apartments at market value, and pay off the Council’s debts so that Council Tax does not have to be raised by over 10% every year. I am a qualified accountant and business entrepreneur, so I believe I can sort out these problems quite easily.

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

Reform UK is still a relatively small and very new party, and we are always looking for volunteers to help out with campaigning and fund-raising. Anyone wishing to volunteer and donate can reach me, by email to [email protected], by text message to 07779 253682. I do have Facebook and X accounts but the best way to volunteer are by email and text.

Finally, I want to say a big THANK YOU for helping Reform UK get its message out. I hope that together, we can spread the word that there is a good alternative to voting Labour or the Conservatives – vote for change, vote for Reform UK.

Andy Egginton is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for North East Derbyshire. We spoke with Andy about his decision to stand.

“Net Zero Immigration is the answer to the UK problems! I believe if the UK had Net zero Immigration over the next 5-year parliamentary term it would give the public services the opportunity to breathe and housing the opportunity to catch up. Our NHS needs a massive overhaul and especially social care and only Reform UK have the ability to carry out our promises.”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Andy Egginton and I am 51 years old. I am a black belt in a few martial arts, train at the gym 5–6 times a week, play football and tennis and have covered a few roles in my career. Electrician, policeman, Inland Revenue, financial manager, property developer. I work on a contract basis for two premier league clubs in football and rugby as response, dealing with antisocial behaviour.

I also spend a lot of my time volunteering for people with disability/mental health issues as an advocate, guiding them through legal processes, procedures, housing, etc. This gives me a good insight into our failing country and failing system – which I firmly believe needs Reform.

I have three children, all boys. My eldest is 23 and is an IT infrastructure technician, my second is 19 and studying for a degree in Mathematics and statistics at Warwick University, and my 18-year-old will be joining him later this year studying the same degree.

“While dealing with the local MP on this issue he suggested if I wanted change then I  should stand in the local elections, as I would make a great councillor. So, I decided to take his advice and stood in the local elections for Reform UK”

What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?

I became an accidental politician while I was advocating on a case many years ago. In this particular case, which began as a neighbour dispute and evolved into accusations that resulted in wrongful arrest. I decided to start from the beginning with the council ASB team and requesting a community trigger (the community trigger went ahead without her knowledge or attendance even though she requested the trigger), I examined the police evidence and proved they had made a baseless and wrongful arrest (the IOPC is still investigating this).

During the course of this investigation the council took major offence to the fact that “I had opened up a can of worms and wrong practices” and they then tried everything to destroy my client. They even sent a letter to her stating “We do not recognise your human rights under article 8 and will continue to attend your property against your wishes without notice” and even eventually banned her against having an advocate (which goes against the Care Quality Act 2010). I continued to advocate and raised a complaint directly with the local government ombudsman. This was when I realised that quangos are just an illusion and the public do not have any rights.

I recommend that everyone Googles “parliamentary health and social care ombudsman” on Trustpilot, reads the stories and follows up by researching other quangos. Sadly it is a horrific and pointless experience for any member of the public to deal with a quango and will only lead to being told you need to go to a judicial review, This will cost £20–25,000 and if you lose, you will pay the same again in costs to the government department. If you win, they will pay your costs and reverse their decision (without incurring further penalties). Democracy appears to not exist in this country – is it just an illusion created by the government?

While dealing with the local MP on this issue he suggested if I wanted change then I  should stand in the local elections, as I would make a great councillor. So, I decided to take his advice and stood in the local elections for Reform UK. I cannot understand why my Conservative MP took offence, as it was his suggestion I stand?  I found out at the count he was suggesting the Conservatives (silly me). I have also been an agent for other Reform candidates.

The reason I stood for Reform is easy and simple…. Policies!

How could I possibly sell my children down the river and stand for either the Consocialists who have broken Britain or Labour who will bankrupt Britain?

You are the Spokesman for North East Derbyshire, what has made you decide to represent this area?

I originate from Derbyshire and have family in the area. If elected I will be living in the constituency.

“Policing in North East Derbyshire needs reforming and we need more bobbies on the beat. Visible policing prevents crime and residents should feel safe”

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

What I see as major concerns for the constituency is housing being built without the appropriate infrastructure and poor quality planning decisions, such as housing being built in areas of Dronfield which have drainage issues.

We desperately need to review the bureaucratic planning system and especially the section 103 developer contributions for infrastructure, such as schools and GP surgeries. Once again, if Reform wins the general election then 5 years of Net Zero Immigration will give the housing sector a chance to catch up and young families a chance to buy a house.

Social care is already a major issue and Derbyshire County Council plan to close eight day centres for the elderly and up to 11 residential care homes. Problems with social care in the UK are adding to the strain on the NHS. For example: 13,000 beds are being blocked because no social care is available and yet Derbyshire County Council are in public consultation to close more social care facilities for the elderly!Once again, if Reform wins the general election then 5 years of Net Zero Immigration will give the NHS and social care sector a chance to catch up.

Policing in North East Derbyshire needs reforming and we need more bobbies on the beat. Visible policing prevents crime and residents should feel safe to venture out of their homes. Unfortunately, I am hearing the opposite from the residents I speak to while canvassing.

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

For those eager to join our campaign and make a difference, there are several ways to get involved with Reform UK. You can connect with us on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on our events, initiatives, and ways to contribute. Additionally, you can email to learn more about volunteering opportunities and campaign events or share your ideas and concerns. Your support and involvement are invaluable in shaping a better future for North East Derbyshire.

Please get in touch with me at: [email protected]

Facebook: Reform UK North East Derbyshire PPC