Category: Localelections2024

Stephen Balogh, SDP Candidate for Ealing Central & Acton, and the London Assembly

Stephen Balogh is the SDP prospective candidate for next General Election for Ealing Central & Acton,  He is also on their London wide list for the Greater London Authority.  We spoke with Stephen about his decision to stand.

“following a 30-year business career, I am now active in non-profit, political and public policy organisations that promote the general flourishing of society and building of community”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

As well as being a candidate on the London List for the upcoming London Assembly elections, alongside Amy Gallagher as our mayoral candidate, I am the SDP’s prospective parliamentary candidate for the SDP in the Ealing Central and Acton constituency, in which I have been resident for 25+ years.  In terms of a brief background, following a 30-year business career, I am now active in non-profit, political and public policy organisations that promote the general flourishing of society and building of community through the thoughtful application of socially responsible, small-c conservative principles.  This includes active involvement in my local parish and other neighbourhood cohesion initiatives through to much broader based regional and national organisations promoting kinship, community and service.  As part of this, I am National Organiser for the New Culture Forum and in this capacity responsible for the “NCF Locals” initiative in which groups are established in localities around the country, giving a fresh rootedness to those who feel isolated politically.  I am married (in fact married/widowed/remarried) with two grown up adopted boys.

“Instead of being seen as a means to achieve national cohesion, all too often community is now seen as a way to demarcate and fragment society into groups jockeying for preferential treatment”

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

There’s a clue in my previous answer.  For me, community is the bedrock of society and we have seen a fragmentation in recent decades of what it means to be community.  Instead of being seen as a means to achieve national cohesion, all too often community is now seen as a way to demarcate and fragment society into groups jockeying for preferential treatment that is sometimes (often, even) incompatible with the overall demos.  The values and policies of the SDP unashamedly seek to restore a different vision of community that transcends defined interest groups and orients citizens once more to the nation in which they live.  A lot of the SDP’s policy framework stems from this simple but foundational proposition.

“the real problems of London: crime, lack of housing especially at the affordable end and a sense of allocation priorities that do not always feel just, an overriding sense of edginess bordering on hostility in public spaces that used to be welcoming”

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

The dominant mode of politics in London is divisive and all to often described along contours of identity differences and perceptions of difference and disadvantage.  This creates a sense of “us and them” and a zero-sum game in the race to preferential treatment.  Meanwhile, the real problems of London: crime, lack of housing especially at the affordable end and a sense of allocation priorities that do not always feel just, an overriding sense of edginess bordering on hostility in public spaces that used to be welcoming, public transport that does not provide the sense of personal security and efficiency that Londoners and visitors to London rightly think they should deserve and are paying for, all against an increasingly grubby feel.  Personally, I start with my back yard, that is, the essential but effort-consuming “keepie uppie” of community building for public good, not for subsectional interests.  With restoration of a sense of civic pride and responsibility, a renewed desire to influence and participate in policies for the good of all Londoners is generate in its wake.  Where this does already exist, there is for instance ready collaboration with neighbourhood policing and a sense of cohesion to replace isolation and edginess.

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

Please follow me on X/Twitter (@BaloghStephen), also London SDP (@Londonsdp) and SDP mayoral candidate Amy Gallagher (@standuptowoke). Retweet what you agree with (and feel free to comment on what you don’t).  For the campaign policy manifesto, look at https://sdp.org.uk/amy/.  The London election campaign is of course short now, but there is a slightly longer game for the many SDP candidates for London parliamentary constituencies, such as me.  If you would like to help or even join the SDP as a member, get in touch via www.sdp.org.uk.  Our profile is growing all the time, and we welcome any help to make it grow faster, for the sake of our communities and nation.

David Bettney, SDP Candidate for Mayor of South Yorkshire

David Bettney is the SDP  candidate for Mayor of South Yorkshire.  This role is a combined authority mayor, who’s area includes Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley and their surrounding areas. We spoke with David about his decision to stand.

“I then joined the Army in 1987 (at the time as a cold-war soldier, training how to fight the Russians) and went then on to serve 23 years, visiting many countries around the world, and many combat operations in Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I was born in 1970 in Mexborough (Doncaster) and grew up a keen sportsman, playing football, rugby and boxing, and heavily influenced by my grandfather who had been a champion boxer and served in the Royal Navy in World War 2 before working the rest of his life down our local coal mine. He was a big tough man but was also very kind and a complete gentleman (the ideal role model).

I grew up in real “Kes Country” if you have seen the 1970 film set in the South Yorkshire Coal fields?  I applied to work down the pit when I left school, but there we no jobs, and it was the final stages of industrial decline in South Yorkshire, as the steel works had recently closed down too.

I then joined the Army in 1987 (at the time as a cold-war soldier, training and learning how to fight the Russians) and went on to serve 23 years, visiting many countries around the world. I experienced many combat operations in Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, finally finishing at the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major.

After my full military service, I went out to Iraq as a bodyguard. I then soon started my own business, along with my Iraqi (Muslim) business partner. We have since gone on to set up several construction companies out in the Middle East. Home is Yorkshire when I’m back in England.

“The Green Party can be best summed up with the words … “Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket.”

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

I was fortunate to travel the world with the Army, and since with my businesses, so I have watched the UK from the outside for most of my life. 

I saw things slowly become back to front.  The EU started off as a plausibly good idea, as a combined trading area, and ended up being an antidemocratic failed state, with the ever growing need to take more and more power.

The Conservatives are called conservative, despite selling off every asset and therefore conserving nothing of our industry and nothing of our culture.

The modern Labour Party is now extremely liberal, and in my opinion on the fringe of becoming very Anti-British, and lives on victimhood (never empowerment) with a penchant to spending everybody else’s money…Bizarrely, no Labourers actually vote Labour anymore!

The Liberal Democrats and also extremely liberal, but not at all democratic (Brexit overturn) They have become the pointless pronoun-police and are largely irrelevant.

The Green Party can be best summed up with the words … “Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket.” be as the former head of Green Peace Canada says “The Green movement has become anti-human communists” He calls them water melons, as they are green on the outside but red on the inside, once you look at their policies. 

Reform UK (whilst well meaning) remind me of an Army run by Junior Officers with no Senior Officers, no Warrant Officers, no Senior non-commissioned officers, no junior none commissioned officer, but then just troopers at the bottom. They are looking for headlines rather than substance and are in need of some credible leadership.

“I have zero interest in politics but love my country and know that we all really have to put our shoulder to the wheel and push hard to stop if falling off a cliff”

Therefore, I happened upon the small but perfectly formed resurgent SDP.  It was nice to agree to disagree on some issues with people who could debate and were educated and worldly. Finally, there were some adults back in the room when it came to political ideas. Also, the leader, William Clouston is very well read, incredibly measured, and very in touch with the mood of the country. 

I have zero interest in politics but love my country and know that we all really have to put our shoulder to the wheel and push hard to stop if falling off a cliff. It’s never too late to start to change things, and that’s why I signed-up.

“promote more of the “we” and less of the “I”.  The demographics of South Yorkshire are changing, and we need to be “Yorkshire” before identifying as anything else”

What are your priorities for South Yorkshire?

De-Industrialisation. We make very little anymore, and just import from China and the East, who have zero commitments to any form of environmentalism, and in many cases their indifference to human rights is shocking.  We need to boost our region’s economy by returning South Yorkshire to a leading manufacturing hub again. We can compete with China, as all modern factories are clean and largely automated (so we can pay our robots the same as China pay theirs… “Which is NOWT”)

Now we have left the EU, we are far freer to make deals and purchase raw materials from the rest of the world, in order to build and innovate back in Yorkshire. We should aim to challenge Taiwan as the world’s leading chip maker. We would have well paid (future proof) jobs, which will create stable families and then stable communities. We would be a new research and development hub, making sure that we don’t lose Yorkshire born talent. You should not have to leave your area or region to prosper!

With the current massive influx of foreign-born people flooding into the UK, we have to find some unifying factors in South Yorkshire. I would promote British values in all schools and promote more of the “we” and less of the “I”.  The demographics of South Yorkshire are changing, and we need to be “Yorkshire” before identifying as anything else.

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

You can find out more about me at https://sdp.org.uk/david-bettney/, contact me by email at [email protected] or email [email protected].  Please also find out more at the SDP website.

Amy Gallagher, SDP Candidate Mayor of London – On Croydon

South Londoner Amy Gallagher is the SDP candidate for Mayor of London. Keen to that our next mayor represents all of London not just Zones 1 and 2 we asked Amy about our town and borough, Croydon.

“When I think of Croydon I think of the tram and the lively events and vibrancy”

What’s been your involvement with Croydon over the years and what are your memories of the borough?

I’ve been working as a mental health nurse in South London. The team I was working with would cover several boroughs and Croydon was one of them. I would often work in Croydon A&E and visit patients in the community. When I think of Croydon I think of the tram and the lively events and vibrancy.

The town centre has become very run down in recent years with the loss of much nightlife and many shops. As Mayor of London how would you address these issues?

I would end business rates for small businesses in order to help local high streets. I would also create a clean environment with beautiful architecture and add more green space.

“I also want to crackdown on anti-social behaviour and crime by improving the police force… prioritizing knowledge of the law and civil liberties”

Nothing improves streetscape and the public realm more surely than mature trees. I would allocate £25m to street tree-planting. I also want to crackdown on anti-social behaviour and crime by improving the police force. I will reinforce the highest standards of duty, personal probity, and conduct at all times, on and off-duty, prioritizing knowledge of the law and civil liberties, and increase the powers of the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) to increase the trust of Londoners in our police force and hold them to account.

“I will establish a community volunteer network database where citizens can offer their skills for certain community support services (civic improvement, education, help for the aged, NHS, construction, environment, tourism guidance)”

From Crystal Palace and Norbury in the north to Coulsdon in the south, like London, Croydon’s localities differ greater. How would you see the Mayor of London’s office serving all of Croydon and indeed all of London?

I will rank London boroughs in terms of crime and publish a full and frank analysis of the kinds of crimes committed in specific boroughs and the profile of convicted criminals. Police will be fully supported in acting proactively within the law to prevent crime.

I plan to mobilise the vast energies and each boroughs’ citizens in the service of the community. I will establish a community volunteer network database where citizens can offer their skills for certain community support services (civic improvement, education, help for the aged, NHS, construction, environment, tourism guidance), and the GLA will fund a team of five to manage the program in each of the London boroughs (Budget cost: £22m)

“Box Park! There is such a great atmosphere there and great food!”

Off politics… Captain Sensible, Kirsty MacColl, Gabrielle, Des’ree, Stormzy, and now 6 Brit winner Raye just some of the talented singers from the Borough. Who’s your favourite Croydon lyricists?

Des’ree! I didn’t know she was from Croydon. I used to sing her songs when I was little. She was great!

Are you more likely to be found wandering Farthing Down or in Box Park?

Box Park! There is such a great atmosphere there and great food!

How can people find out more or get involved?

Check out the SDP (Social Democratic Party website), Join us at SDP London and vote for us!

https://sdp.org.uk/2023/12/18/amy-gallagher-announced-as-sdp-candidate-for-london-mayor/

Our manifesto for London will be published soon!

You can also find me on X/Twitter at @StandUptoWoke.

Marian Newton, Reform UK GLA candidate for Croydon and Sutton

Marian Newton is the Reform UK Prospective GLA Candidate for Croydon and Sutton in the upcoming London elections.  We spoke with Marian about her decision to stand.

“I’d like to give the people of Croydon and Sutton the chance to vote for a new common-sense party”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

Born and grew up in North Derbyshire. I went to art school, and a college of technology. I then decided to move to London, and then abroad, to work on the airlines. I had always voted Conservative. It was like a religion in my family. In 2013/14 I became disillusioned with them and joined UKIP, then I joined the ‘Brexit Party’ which became ‘Reform UK’.

What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?

I was asked to, and I’d like to give the people of Croydon and Sutton the chance to vote for a new common-sense party. I believe this country needs drastically reforming, and I just want to help with this as much as I can.

“blighted by knife crime, Reform will hold the Met Police to account on targeting this terrible crime blighting so many young lives”

You’re the GLA Candidate for Croydon and Sutton what’s made you decide to represent this area, and what do you see as the big concerns for the constituency?

Being outer London boroughs ULEZ, and the general war on motoring is a major issue.  Much of Croydon and Sutton is best accessed by car, and local amenities might be across the border in Surrey.  Croydon and more recently Sutton has been blighted by knife crime, Reform will hold the Met Police to account on targeting this terrible crime blighting so many young lives.  Sutton suffers from poor public transport, and better services to London is a key concern.  In Croydon we have seen the demise of the town centre, and I would want to work with MPs, and Councillors across parties to do all we can to revive this major shopping destination. 

“get rid of the ULEZ, completely, to start with. It is totally unacceptable”

More widely what would you like to see change in London from the Mayor and GLA?

To get rid of the ULEZ, completely, to start with. It is totally unacceptable to treat the ordinary, hardworking, members of society, with these astronomical charges!

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

You can start to get involved by contacting Reform UK at https://www.reformparty.uk/, and you can find out more about Howard Cox’s campaign to be Mayor at https://www.cox4london.uk/.

Lesley Crosby, Reform UK candidate for Bakewell

Former US Speaker Tip O’Neill is credited with the quote ‘All politics is local’.  Local elections matter and are all about the issue that impact peoples’ everyday lives.  Lesley Crosby is the Reform UK prospective candidate for Bakewell in a by-election for the Derbyshire Dales District Council.  We spoke with Lesley about her decision to stand.

“I intent to highlight all the disproportionate disadvantages Bakewell’s residents are expected to accept due to our location and a lack of the healthy competition our urban neighbours enjoy”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I’m a 59-year-old mum and grandmother. I am also a relative newcomer to the area, but I see this as a positive as I can view Bakewell through fresh eyes.

I am disabled, so naturally concerns about the wellbeing of our communities’ vulnerable residents are firmly in my sights. I intent to highlight all the disproportionate disadvantages Bakewell’s residents are expected to accept due to our location and a lack of the healthy competition our urban neighbours enjoy. There is not one member of our community that isn’t a loser to premium fuel costs and high prices in our shops. I will ensure that our families, the disabled and elderly will not feel hunger, cold or experience isolation.

What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?

I believe we need Reform, we need new solutions to old problems and we need a voice that isn’t held back by council chamber domination and party whips.

“We can make sure, for a start, that debris blocking local drains and culverts is regularly removed. I will be suggesting an autumn programme of regular road clearance”

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

Flooding is a big issue for our community, and alongside a crumbling road network, causes regular misery in town. While Bakewell is built right on the river Wye and we cannot completely resolve the cause of flooding, we can be far better prepared for inevitable rainfall when it comes. We can make sure, for a start, that debris blocking local drains and culverts is regularly removed. I will be suggesting an autumn programme of regular road clearance. We can also look at how reaches of the river Wye above and below the town are managed and consult with landowners and local authorities to ensure that fallen trees and other debris are cleared away to assist easy flow. Although this is little more than good housekeeping, it’s clearly not happening or not happening often enough.

“I’m also deeply worried by the banking crisis that has brought Bakewell to the attention of the entire country, due to the imminent closure of our NatWest, their last bank in the Peak District”

I’m also deeply worried by the banking crisis that has brought Bakewell to the attention of the entire country, due to the imminent closure of our NatWest, their last bank in the Peak District. This should have been an issue for our MP to get seriously involved with at the earliest intimation of closure, and I cannot help wondering why things have been allowed to progress without either her deliberate intervention or sourcing an alternative provider of vital banking services.

I’m eager to keep the heat on rural issues and get Bakewell into the limelight. Bakewell is a national icon, an important agricultural, cultural and tourist hub, and we must not allow ourselves to be forgotten.

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/.  You can find me on Facebook, and contact me by email at [email protected].

Podcast Episode 88 – Tony Brown Public Meeting

Podcast from our public meeting in Purley, where we were joined by Tony Brown, the Libertarian Party UK candidate for Mayor of London.

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You can find out more about the Libertarian Party at https://www.libertarianpartyuk.com/ and follow Tony on Twitter at https://twitter.com/libertariantony.

Tony Glover, Reform UK candidate for Poplar and Limehouse

Tony Glover is the Reform UK prospective candidate for Poplar and Limehouse.  We spoke with Tony about his decision to stand.

“I strongly believe in Brexit but the Tories have failed to deliver the benefits. They have also failed on the economy, taxation, pursuing unnecessary lockdowns out of panic”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Tony Glover. I originally worked at the heart of government for the Leader of the House of Lords and the House of Commons Chief Whip. I then worked in public affairs and policy in the energy industry. I am now semi retired running a property company.

What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?

One of my roles in government was ensuring EU legislation passed into law. This showed me the profoundly undemocratic nature of the EU. This view was reinforced in my time in the energy industry where I worked regularly in the EU Parliament and Commission, sitting on various EU wide bodies. I strongly believe in Brexit but the Tories have failed to deliver the benefits. They have also failed on the economy, taxation, pursuing unnecessary lockdowns out of panic and have lost control of our borders and immigration policy.

My work in the energy sector included representing the gas grid companies. The disastrous Tory Net Zero policy will make us poorer and lower our quality of life. It is a step backwards that will see us forced to give up our cars and rip out our gas boilers. It is madness. Reform UK recognise this and would bin the policy.

Reform UK offer an alternative that better represents the Conservative Party that I first joined in 1983.

“wanted to fight Poplar and Limehouse because the sitting MP Apsama Begum represents everything that is wrong with politics”

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

The area encompasses the Isle of Dogs. It is a place of contrasts. The gleaming towers of Canary Wharf sit alongside large post war council estates. It has a large river frontage and a great maritime history. I was born in Bethnal Green where I now live but wanted to fight Poplar and Limehouse because the sitting MP Apsama Begum represents everything that is wrong with politics. Her views on Hamas and her exploitation of race politics are repellent to me. I am keen to hold her to account and know whoever the Tories pick will not call her out for her despicable views.

“the expansion of the adjacent Congestion Zone into the weekend is causing more traffic problems and therefore pollution whilst costing many in a time of a cost of living crisis. We will bin these policies enabled by the Tories and implemented by Labour”

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

Bringing our community together is vital. Ensuring sustainable immigration and social cohesion are also essential. The demands on our services and infrastructure in a very dense urban environment are at breaking point. Coupled with uncontrolled development we have a recipe for disaster. Our borough is incompetently run with rubbish uncollected, roads unmaintained and the flags of Palestine on all the lamp posts. The sitting MP is close to the Mayor of Tower Hamlets who is a force for bad in our area.

The disastrous impact of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and unnecessary 20 mph controls coupled with the expansion of the adjacent Congestion Zone into the weekend is causing more traffic problems and therefore pollution whilst costing many in a time of a cost of living crisis. We will bin these policies enabled by the Tories and implemented by Labour.

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

Reform are growing across London as people become sick and tired of failed policies imposed from above. Please join us to defeat the Tories in Westminster and elect Howard Cox our London Mayoral candidate and Reform London Assembly candidates including myself next May.

You can email me at [email protected] and follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TonyLiberator.

Interview and Q&A with Tony Brown Libertarian Party Candidate for Mayor of London – 17th January

Join us for a live interview and Q&A with Tony Brown Libertarian Party Candidate for Mayor of London on Wednesday 17th January at 7pm.

The Libertarian Party advocate for individual rights, non-interventionism, laissez-faire capitalism, and the constraint of government size and influence.

Venue:

Upstairs, Whispers,
5 High St,
Purley
CR8 2AF

Part of our #ThirdWednesday drinks and events, we hold these in association with Dick Delingpole’s #ThirdWednesday Libertarian drinks club, and POLITICS in PUBS a group of people from across the political spectrum who value the freedom to question and to speak openly.

Join us Upstairs, Whispers, 5 High St, Purley CR8 2AF on Wednesday 17th January, from 7pm.

Facebook: https://fb.me/e/46c6Xvc9C

Mark Simpson, Reform UK candidate for Eltham & Chislehurst

With Reform UK rapidly appointing candidates for we spoke with Mark Simpson the candidate for Eltham & Chislehurst.

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Mark Simpson and after a journey from Aberdeen to Yorkshire to China I find myself in London. After returning from a 7-year stint in China I returned to the UK / London to pursue a Masters degree in International Business and Politics from Queen Mary, University of London. Today, I work full-time in sales. When not working (or Reforming) I enjoy watching various sports (in a pub with a pint preferred!), reading and travelling. During my years abroad, I was fortunate to have spent time in so many amazing destinations in East Asia and really getting to see what a wonderful world we live in.

“politics is not about winning per se. It is about standing up for what you believe in and doing what you can to forward that.”

What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?

It is many ways simple, if it wasn’t for Reform UK, I would not in good conscience have a political party I could vote for. My political leanings have taken me along the same political path Nigel Farage has trodden. I stood for UKIP, supported the Brexit Party and upon my return kept my support behind the vehicle for change Richard Tice kept going, Reform UK. The establishment parties do not represent me. I remember growing up as a teenager and being anti-the Iraq War and seeing how Tony Blair ignored the millions that went to protest it and how he lied to the country to take us to war. (how many of the woes in the Middle East today stem from that?!) The Conservatives aren’t much better, I won’t waste anyone’s time repeating why. 

I have always felt it important to support a party that aligns with my principles, even to the detriment of being able to taste victory. To me, politics is not about winning per se. It is about standing up for what you believe in and doing what you can to forward that. Reform UKs commonsense policies of stopping the boats and cutting immigration, cutting taxes for the poorest in society, abandoning Net Zero and being proud of our country and heritage resonate strongly.

Today my role at Reform UK has evolved. I stood in our first-ever election, the 2021 London Assembly candidate (List and constituency candidate) and now take care of several London Boroughs as the regional organiser. It is hard work, the party is building something entirely new from the ground up to challenge a political system that is designed to keep outsiders firmly out. I see from my discussions with members and chats on the doorstep what an opportunity there is for Reform UK. Brexit was hard fought but demonstrated the change millions across the entire UK wanted to see. Reform UK continues with this bold and crucially optimistic vision of how Britain should be. 

“The current Labour MP Clive Efford and the prospective Conservative candidate both wanted and actively campaigned for a second referendum. That is simply not acceptable and must be challenged”

You’re the Spokesman for Eltham & Chislehurst what’s made you decide to represent this area?

As well as being the candidate for Eltham and Chislehurst I have contested Mottingham, Coldharbour and New Eltham ward during the Greenwich council elections of 2022 and will be standing again in the upcoming London assembly elections locally. This is a part of London that I have decided to call home. 

It is an area that voted Leave in the EU referendum and will have a slate of candidates that supported remaining in the EU. The current Labour MP Clive Efford and the prospective Conservative candidate both wanted and actively campaigned for a second referendum. That is simply not acceptable and must be challenged.  Leaving the EU was the first step on a journey to fundamentally change our country and the direction of travel successive governments had taken us down. 

When I go out and talk to locals across the constituency I am struck by the lack of enthusiasm for politics. People are fed up with the current Tory government, which is no surprise after 13 years when most people would struggle to name much in the country that has changed for the better. There is no love for Labour, when people say they will vote for them at the next election, they are doing so as a vote against the Conservatives, not for Keir Starmer and his politics. 

And this for me is where Reform UK is crucial. We stand on a platform that puts the interest of ordinary people first. In Reform UK we are NOT career politicians, we entered politics to give a voice the the forgotten and champion the big issues people really care about. 

“I spoke to a lady who has had her house broken into 3 times in 18 months and feels totally unsupported by the police. I spoke with a local business owner about how shoplifters act with impunity, whilst he loses hundreds of pounds per week”

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

As with most of London, crime is the root cause of so many of the woes we face. Successive governments have failed to take the zero-tolerance approach to crime that is necessary. At the weekend I spoke to a lady who has had her house broken into 3 times in 18 months and feels totally unsupported by the police. I spoke with a local business owner about how shoplifters act with impunity, whilst he loses hundreds of pounds per week. These are real people, having lives and livelihoods ruined by the inability of the police. This must change and can never be normalised.

We must also address the lack of TFL services and accessibility to them. I will push for the DLR expansion to be continued into the constituency and regular express busses to be linked to the Elizabeth Line so its benefits can be shared. 

There is also a feeling among residents that Eltham is a forgotten part of Greenwich. Despite having elected Conservative councillors in Eltham, what is really needed is a strong voice for change that will speak up for the constituency and its residents. 

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

All help is welcomed, regardless of experience or how long you can commit. The establishment has had many years of a heard start on Reform UK, but with support we can be the change people are looking for. I am active on Twitter @RealMgSimpson and can be contacted by email at [email protected].

There really is something for everyone to get involved with and I am happy to discuss!