Bringing Classical Liberalism to South London
We are joined by Simon Richards, the former CEO of The Freedom Association, as we discuss the local election results and the delay in removing EU laws. We then chat with Simon about his time with the Freedom Association, the Better Off Out campaign, lockdowns, and the big issues of today.
Contents:
00:00 – Intro
01:40 – Local Election Results
10:52 – Delay in Removing EU Laws
23:45 – Chat with Simon
50:26 – Outro
We spoke with Chris Scott when he ran in Horley in 2022. Chris is running again in this years local elections and we were delighted to hear more on the party, and Chris’ campaign for Reigate and Banstead Council.
“Far too many unacademic A-Level students are being steered towards inappropriate, “soft” university courses instead of some form of apprenticeship. This leaves them with the prospect of repaying a large debt”
So what is our take on the current dysfunctional governance of the United Kingdom? Or should I say our DIS-United Kingdom and, seven years after the Referendum, our status of having achieved Brexit in name only? How many of the laws that Parliament enacted at the behest of the European Commission have been repealed? When I last heard, none. it seems that the Prime Minister, who claims to have voted to Leave without campaigning for it, is in the thrall of Tory MPs who are instinctive Remainers. An increasing majority of his cabinet voted Remain and, one suspects, pay merely lip-service to Brexit.
In more general, national terms, Reform UK advocates that:
1) Schools should never again be closed during a pandemic. Literacy and numeracy must be prioritised. Sport must be offered and encouraged. Pupils should not be encouraged to question their sex. If any child shows signs of gender dysphoria, the parents must be consulted. Far too many unacademic A-Level students are being steered towards inappropriate, “soft” university courses instead of some form of apprenticeship. This leaves them with the prospect of repaying a large debt unless they fail to earn well in their subsequent careers.
2) The NHS is systemically broken, however excellent are its clinicians. Due to failure to train enough of our own, we are poaching too many foreign clinicians that are trained and needed in their home countries. Too much money is being wasted. The terms of service of GPs are counterproductive for their patients. Major revisions are essential, even if they involve some form of insurance or means-tested contributions for consultations. Excessive delays for consultations or treatment should qualify patients to go private at NHS expense.
3) On immigration, it is unacceptable that people arriving illegally with no personal documentation by hazardous, highly expensive crossings of the English Channel should all be treated by default as genuine asylum-seekers at taxpayers’ expense and parachuted in large groups into small communities nationwide.
“People earning little more than the national median wage are becoming subject to 40% tax. That is grotesque”
4) Major tax reform is essential. People on low incomes should not be paying income tax at all. People earning little more than the national median wage are becoming subject to 40% tax. That is grotesque, as are the thresholds for inheritance tax. People who paid tax on their earnings throughout their lifetime should be entitled to hand the residual funds and property down to their children without further taxation.
5) “Net Zero” must be abandoned. It will ruin our economy and cause serious hardship, particularly to people on low-to-medium incomes – unlike the legislators who dreamed it up. Globally futile, it will be ignored by the major world polluters, such as China and India, whose economies will profit at our expense. Wind and solar could never reliably supply even half our needs, and their energy output is non-storable in the present state of technology. Likewise, the ban on production of internal-combustion-engine cars from 2030 is impracticable and must be abandoned before it’s too late. It would reveal the limitations of our national grid, and deplete the finite, worldwide resources of minerals needed to produce batteries that last less than ten years and are extremely expensive to replace. Decades of neglect on nuclear technology after our early international lead have denied us its ideal role in supplying the base load for electricity generation. Given that the variable excess demand cannot be supplied reliably by wind and solar, and hydrogen is not widely available in the foreseeable future, fossil-fuels remain an essential energy source. Further exploitation of North Sea gas and oil reserves must be considered, as well as fracking, which our present prime minister promised to do during his Tory leadership campaign as recently as last autumn.
6) HMG boasts its alleged spending of 2% of GDP, but the war in Ukraine has highlighted the latter’s inadequacy. Our three armed services are left in a parlous state. The Royal Navy has two large aircraft carriers that are short of aircraft and, perhaps even worse, suitable escort vessels. The Army headcount is at an all-time low. In the RAF, aircrew are not flying enough to maintain experience levels. All three services are, it seems, more concerned with diversity than excellence.
“There is a general slide in government towards a form of woke, defeatist, social-Marxism that will persist as long as the main parties at Westminster are ruling the roost in the UK”
7) There is a general slide in government towards a form of woke, defeatist, social-Marxism that will persist as long as the main parties at Westminster are ruling the roost in the UK. When elected, Reform UK MPs will challenge that damaging, conventional mindset.
Of course, none of the above issues can be at the forefront of my local-election campaign in Horley Central & South.
“Town centres must be reinvigorated with cuts in business rates, free car-parking, more residential accommodation and targeted investment. In Horley, too many small retailers have been priced out”
In addition to the issues I have raised on the front of my personal election leaflet (below), Reform UK proposes the following policies in local government.
(a) Local communities should have more say in their affairs than at present. A random example of that would be the recent overruling by HMG of Braintree Council’s attempt to stop so-called asylum-seekers being accommodated on the old aerodrome at Weathersfield to the detriment of the local community.
(b) Unnecessary local spending should be cut. Do lesbian, gay and bisexual residents really appreciate pedestrian crossings being repainted in rainbow colours?
(c) Town centres must be reinvigorated with cuts in business rates, free car-parking, more residential accommodation and targeted investment. In Horley, too many small retailers have been priced out.
As a Reigate and Banstead district Councillor for Reform UK in Horley Central & South, I would make my own decisions on local policy initiatives without being subject to diktat from party HQ.
You can read our first interview with Chris at https://croydonconstitutionalists.uk/chris-scott-reform-uk/. You can also contact Chris at [email protected] and find out more about Reform UK and their policies via https://www.reformparty.uk/.
The SDP is a patriotic, economically left-leaning, and culturally traditional political party. We’ve interviewed Steve Tanner who is standing for them in the Wayfield and Weeds Wood ward of Medway Council.
“The SDP ticked all the right boxes for me: traditional and patriotic; believing that public assets and services should be owned by the public”
Tell us a bit about yourself and your party?
An IT professional, I moved to England from Australia in 2005, starting off in London as most do, before meeting my now wife who lured me to the exotic Medway Valley. We have lived in our current house in Wayfield for over twelve years, raising four children, the youngest two of which are still in secondary education locally.
I joined the Social Democratic Party in May 2022 after several years of checking them out. Although politically interested, I’ve never been politically active – let alone joined a party – until recently. The SDP ticked all the right boxes for me: traditional and patriotic; believing that public assets and services should be owned by the public; and its belief that increased housebuilding can only be sustainable with a much-reduced immigration limit.
“concerns specifically in the ward are the reduced bus services and under-provision of primary health services, and if elected to Medway Council I would endeavour to gain improvements in both areas”
Can you introduce the ward to us and what you can bring to the area?
Wayfield and Weeds Wood is a new ward created for the 2023 local elections after a recent boundary review. The area is generally working-class, attractive for many young families with its numerous primary and secondary schools, parks and open spaces, and also has quite a large elderly population. There is a substantial amount of social housing, which does help to allow extended family members to stay in the area.
My main concerns specifically in the ward are the reduced bus services and under-provision of primary health services, and if elected to Medway Council I would endeavour to gain improvements in both areas for our residents.
“At the local level, there are likely to be many areas of consensus anyway, but it would be great to have more smaller parties and independents represented on council”
More widely what would you like to see change at the Council and across the area?
In addition to improving the provision of bus and primary health services across Medway, as well as in my own ward, my other priorities if elected will be to help get the lapsed local plan back on track, and to improve the Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services in school. Medway, like all parts of the country, desperately needs more housing, but planning approval must be sympathetic to the concerns of existing residents, and not at the expense of our special green spaces. And closer to my heart, having a child with learning difficulties, I would certainly like to see the access to, and quality of SEND services enhanced.
Even after an extremely successful election for us, we would still only have two councillors so would have to work closely with the party in control and the other opposition parties and individuals to achieve anything meaningful. At the local level, there are likely to be many areas of consensus anyway, but it would be great to have more smaller parties and independents represented on council.
How can people find out more or get in touch if they want to get involved?
We have a comprehensive suite of policies on our website at sdp.org.uk. I’d recommend anyone interested to read through them along with our ‘New Declaration’, also on the site. Joining the party as either a full or associate member is very affordable.
I am the chair of the SDP Medway and Maidstone Group. We meet on the last Saturday of each month, usually in a pub in south Rochester. We would welcome existing and prospective members to attend, even from outside the area. Details of each meeting are posted from my Twitter account: @SteveTanner_SDP.
If you wish to contact me at a more official level, my email address is: [email protected]
The SDP is a patriotic, economically left-leaning, and culturally traditional political party. We spoke with Stephen Gander who is standing for them for Hellingly Parish Council, and in the Hailsham West ward of Wealden District Council.
“The majority of people would look at the SDP’s policies and agree with the majority, if not all of them. I think the electorate should really have a look and ‘give them a go’.”
Tell us a bit about yourself and your party?
I’ve lived in Hellingly for the past twelve years and Wealden for over 25 years. My wife is a successful, local independent swimming teacher and both my boys go to school in Hailsham. As a family we like to support local events including helping the local community fridge and would like to say that we have a good relationship with the local council and its members. I ran as a candidate in the 2019 General Election in Eastbourne.
I joined the SDP in early 2020 as most of the other partys didn’t reflect where I wanted to be and it was the only party that had common sense policies that sat well with my core beliefs. The SDP believe in the family and the local community seeking the common good in Britain’s national interest. The majority of people would look at the SDP’s policies and agree with the majority, if not all of them. I think the electorate should really have a look and ‘give them a go’.
“there is a need for scrutiny with regards to new developments and its effects on the local community. This issue is very high up on the local and surrounding areas, residents list.”
Can you introduce Hellingly Parish and Hailsham West ward to us and say what you can bring to the area?
Hellingly has grown over the last decade with development of the old hospital site. Life within Hellingly and its country park is both picturesque and calming. There is a great community spirit and a great sense of comradery which I would like to encourage and be more of a part of.
Hailsham is the biggest town in the district of Wealden and is a nice market town with an array of shops and pleasant community standards. I would bring a consistency and a voice to Hailsham and Wealden residents.
Whilst I don’t think there are massive changes needed in the councils, there is a need for scrutiny with regards to new developments and its effects on the local community. This issue is very high up on the local and surrounding areas, residents list.
How can people find out more or get in touch if they want to get involved?
If people wanted to find out more or ask any questions I can be contacted by email at [email protected] , email the SDP at [email protected] and I would suggest checking out the SDP website at sdp.org.uk.
“I no longer felt that recent consecutive governments were in touch with the real world and that hard-working residents were being left behind”
Tell us a bit about yourself and your party?
As a person of working class, I no longer felt that recent consecutive governments were in touch with the real world and that hard-working residents were being left behind. Reform UK campaign on sensible politics and everyday issues that others no longer do.
“Local businesses are at the very heart of the communities and those should be protected”
Can you introduce the ward to us and what you can bring to the area?
Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone and Hawley is a leafy village ward. Local businesses are at the very heart of the communities and those should be protected. Extra homes on Brownfield sites should be voted on by residents who should have the ultimate and final say on if they should be built.
More widely what would you like to see change at Dartford Borough Council and across the area?
I would like to see more residents in council wards given a stronger say in decisions that can greatly impact themselves, their families and future generations.
How can people find out more or get in touch if they want to get involved?
For direct contact please email me on [email protected] and or go to https://www.reformparty.uk/.
The Foundation Party are a party of first principles defending our nation’s historic values and neglected foundations. Their aim is to revitalise our freedom, liberty and democracy.
“I am one of the founding members back in 2018. No party was talking for me. I think the two major parties have morphed into the same thing.”
Tell us a bit about yourself and your party
My name is Mary Lawes, I am standing for the Foundation Party, I am one of the founding members back in 2018. No party was talking for me. I think the two major parties have morphed into the same thing. High taxes, lock us down hard, starving us into paying green taxes and creating an awful sad and dangerous country to live in.
“We concentrate on local not national issues we can achieve. Improving the safety of where we live, drugs, anti-social behaviour.”
Can you introduce your ward and say what you can bring to the area?
I’m standing in Folkestone Harbour Ward for the Town & District Local Elections. Our ward is classed as a deprived area although there are private and councils housing. The environment is by the sea with lovely cliff top views, fabulous walks and beaches.
People lose sight of the fact these are local elections, not general election. Local Councillors cannot solve the NHS issues.
Local Councillors concentrate on local not national issues we can achieve. Improving the safety of where we live, drugs, anti-social behaviour. We have local ward meetings with our Police. Voting in planning for good quality housing but object if poor quality or imposing problems with existing residents. It’s our ward so should be our choice. Supporting volunteers in creating better spaces and bring unkept areas back to use.
More widely what would you like to see change at the councils and across the area?
There is a severe lack of democracy in our Councils. Main parties get voted in and have majority votes. We would want to change from a Cabinet to a Committee system. A cabinet has 9 selected councillors mostly from the ruling party as it’s a leader’s choice. A committee system allows all elected councillors to make major decisions and it allows your elected member to have a say on the ward they represent.
How can people find out more or get in touch if they want to get involved?
To get in touch email [email protected] ,go to our website https://foundationparty.uk/. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
Mary is also running with Frank McKenna from the Foundation Party in these 2 seat wards.
Martin is standing in the Cranleigh West ward, Waverley Borough Council.
“I wish to see Cranleigh thrive and continue to be a great place to live for all residents. Changes must be for the benefit of our community.”
I have been a Cranleigh resident for more than 30 years and have loved living here. I wish to see Cranleigh thrive and continue to be a great place to live for all residents. Changes must be for the benefit of our community.
” We will protect our green spaces and heritage by building new homes on brownfield sites and make sure real infrastructure like road improvements, school places and medical facilities come first”
What We Stand For Locally
What We Stand For Nationally
Contact Martin at [email protected] or go to www.reformparty.uk for more information.
“I believe in freedom of speech, providing democratic choice and spending taxpayer’s money wisely”
I have lived in Surrey since 1975. I am your Reform UK (formerly the Brexit Party) candidate in Lightwater Ward, for Surrey Heath Borough Council.
I stood for Reform UK in the 2021 Surrey County Council Elections. Prior to that I was an active campaigner for Brexit from 2013. I am a retired Computer Consultant.
I believe in freedom of speech, providing democratic choice and spending taxpayer’s money wisely. Any help with leafletting would be greatly appreciated.
If you can help get in touch via [email protected].
“In Reform, we have no whip, so unlike other Parties I am free from Westminster, County and Town/Parish politics to work directly for you, without hindrance”
Dear Electors
I am Alan Latham, ex Seaford Town Councillor for 8 years, now of Reform UK and your District Council candidate in the May 4th local elections for the ward of Seaford East. To see our policies, please go to https://www.reformparty.uk/ or email [email protected]. In Reform, we have no whip, so unlike other Parties I am free from Westminster, County and Town/Parish politics to work directly for you, without hindrance. Please support our Reform programme.
The Talland Parade scaffolding shown here has been an eyesore at the junction of Saxon Lane, Broad Street and the High Street for 10 years or more, with successive developers ignoring the ineffective threats from councils to get on with development – Councils who say they have no power under current legislation to act in the interest of Seaford. A Reform UK Council would! Our goal is to restore democracy and deliver Brexit at all levels. Government of the people, by the people, for the people, which so sadly has been violated by recent administrations.
“We stand for small government, low taxation, and a stronger, vibrant GB with our own UK energy programme.”
Our party, Reform UK plans to rewrite the rule book of how we should be governed and how we must address a multitude of issues that successive governments have ignored. We stand for small government, low taxation, and a stronger, vibrant GB with our own UK energy programme.
I am writing to you to request that you kindly help me in my quest to become a District Councillor in the ward of Pulborough, Coldwaltham and Amberley. Below please find my background described in both politics and the wider World.
My beliefs:
I left agricultural and auto engineering college and joined Lola Cars in Slough building racing cars and subsequently joined some teams and travelled extensively. I had a brief but immensely enjoyable time at BMW UK Ltd in west London, was a sales director of Glanfield Lawrence for ten years before starting my own engineering company in Storrington, where we designed and produced a vast range of components for industrial and marine engines. Customers included the MoD, film industry (films such as Gladiator, Saving Ryan, Band of Brothers, the list is long), plus Caledonian MacBrayne, assorted fishing boats and many industrial / mobile plant manufacturers, etc.
I was inspired by my local publican. Bill was no ordinary publican! I joined UKIP in 2004 having heard Nigel Farage interviewed on radio 4 one morning. I assisted our local branch (Arundel & South Downs), became West Sussex County Organiser in 2006 until my resignation in late 2019. I have also been a parish councillor for some 16 years on Washington representing Heath Common and latterly Pulborough councils. I have stood in most local (County and District) plus two Westminster elections for UKIP. In Heath Common, our Residents Association on which I sat produced the very first Village Design Statement in Sussex (forerunner to the Local Plan). We also changed the Parish boundaries to combine under one parish (Washington) instead of three.
John is standing as for election as a District Councillor for Pulborough, Coldwaltham & Amberley Ward for Horsham District Council and a Parish Councillor for the Parish of Pulborough.
To get involved contact John at [email protected].
