Nick Davies is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for North Bedfordshire. We spoke with Nick about his decision to stand.
“despite government statistics, crime appears to be on the increase in Bedfordshire, especially Burglary and breaking into commercial vehicles”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Nick Davies and as a member of Reform UK and as a prospective parliamentary candidate, my aim is to fight the Conservative and Labour parties in the coming election. They have both had their chance at improving life for the British people and have both failed miserably. In fact, they have only made things a whole lot worse and shown a flagrant disregard for the will of the people.
What do you see as the big concerns for North Bedfordshire and what issues do you hope to champion?
I have lived in North Bedfordshire for five years, and If elected, I will listen to and act positively on the concerns of the people of North Bedfordshire, notably, unnecessary housing developments in villages, potholed roads which not only damage vehicles but are extremely dangerous, in particular to cyclists and motor cyclists, especially during night time. Also, despite government statistics, crime appears to be on the increase in Bedfordshire, especially Burglary and breaking into commercial vehicles. This, of course, is not only a local problem, but crime, including knife crimes, murder and rape are a serious national problem.
“How many times have we heard of serious offenders being released only to commit further heinous crimes. We are constantly told, “lessons will be learned,” they never are!”
As a nation, we have so many issues that need addressing most urgently. I’ve already mentioned serious violent crime, but the justice system as a whole needs total reform, with tougher sentences, as do parole boards. How many times have we heard of serious offenders being released only to commit further heinous crimes. We are constantly told, “lessons will be learned,” they never are! I vow to fight for proper justice and reformation of the entire system, including judges.
The unsustainable influx of immigrants, legal and illegal is unacceptable. We must leave the ECHR with immediate effect and reform the Border Force. No illegal immigrants should ever be allowed to set foot on British soil. They are breaking the law plain and simple and must be stopped.
In conclusion, I will fight for the British people and the British way of life and its culture. Wokeism has no place in our society.
” volunteers are absolutely essential to our cause, so please, if you can offer help in delivering leaflets or making a donation”
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?
We must get the message of Reform UK to voters. To do this, volunteers are absolutely essential to our cause, so please, if you can offer help in delivering leaflets or making a donation, it will be greatly appreciated.
You can contact me using the methods below. Thank you.
Richard Langridge is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Witney. We spoke with Richard about his decision to stand.
“I have been a Councillor here for 16 years as a District Councillor and County Councillor. I have loved every minute of it. It is fantastic being able to help people in a huge number of ways”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Richard Langridge, and I am the PPC for Reform UK in the Witney Constituency. I live in Witney with my Wife, Alexandra, and have lived in the Constituency all my life. I have run my own Accountancy business for the last 27 years.
I have been a Councillor here for 16 years as a District Councillor and County Councillor. I have loved every minute of it. It is fantastic being able to help people in a huge number of ways, and also helping shape the area that you live in.
During most of my time as a District Councillor, I served on the Council’s Cabinet with roles including Leisure and Tourism, Economic Development, Environmental issues and Finance.
I was a Conservative Councillor for a lot of my time, but became an Independent for the last 5 years as I realised that The Conservative Party could no longer be said to be Conservative in any meaningful sense. Being Independent also meant that I could serve my residents without having to conform to Party diktats and policies.
I was also the Conservative Constituency Chairman here, working closely with our Member of Parliament, David Cameron, whilst he was Prime Minister. This was a fascinating experience, and I learned so much about the Constituency, and working at a high level of Government. I was also lucky enough to go to Number 10 and Chequers.
“I am a passionate believer in Freedom – both free speech and the ability to get on with our lives, unfettered by the State. Freedom is not a given- you have to continually fight for it”
What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?
It has become clear to me that the Conservatives no longer stand for the values I believe in. I was a lifelong Conservative, but, like many, they no longer represent the views and ethos that they did in the past. I am afraid you can no longer tell Labour and the Conservatives apart in many ways.
In my opinion, Parliament has become undemocratic and totally detached from the views of the majority of people it is meant to serve.
Debate has been shut down in so many areas such as climate and appallingly, Covid and the dreadful consequences of unneeded lockdowns that were forced on us with no debate permitted. This all powerful state control is a huge danger to all of us.
In particular, I am a passionate believer in Freedom – both free speech and the ability to get on with our lives, unfettered by the State. Freedom is not a given- you have to continually fight for it.
Only Reform UK stands for the Freedom I believe in, and has the Policies our Country so desperately needs, and only Reform UK can take our Country out of the mess it is currently in.
I believe that Reform UK have the values, ethics and policies to take our Country forward into a positive and exciting future – a Country that values traditions and history, alongside a strong sense of diversity and inclusivity, with a love of Liberty alongside responsibility.
Our Country desperately needs a change from the socialist light consensus and “woke” ideology that has strangled Britain. Only Reform UK has the vision and determination to bring this about.
You’re the Spokesman for Witney what’s made you decide to represent this area?
I have lived in the Constituency all my life and feel very strongly that it is important to represent the area you know and care about.
Having been David Cameron’s Constituency Chairman here, I think it is interesting that I would now represent Reform UK. I should be one of the last people to change to Reform from the Tories, and it underlines how far the Conservatives have fallen.
“all areas are suffering from the cost of living crisis brought about by the Government’s failed Economic policies and their unquestioning dash for net zero- whatever the consequences for people’s lives”
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?
Of course, all areas are suffering from the cost of living crisis brought about by the Government’s failed Economic policies and their unquestioning dash for net zero- whatever the consequences for people’s lives. We must return to a high growth/low tax economy and start to have an honest discussion about climate change, and the truth behind it.
Housing is a massive issue here. Of course we need housing, but it must be in the right place and have broad local support. It should be primarily for local people to live in.
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?
You can find out more about Reform UK at https://www.reformparty.uk/. I would be absolutely delighted to hear from anyone who wants to get involved in my Campaign. I can be contacted on [email protected] and on Facebook at ReformUK Witney.
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.
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?
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
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 Aylesfordwhat’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.
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 Sheppeywhat’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?
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.
Paul Skinner is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Tonbridge. We spoke with Paul about his decision to stand.
“After leaving the British Army I became a police officer in the Met where I learned a great deal about helping the community and serving the British public”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Paul-Shane Skinner I have lived in Kent all my life, my parents were working class citizens and worked locally in the area. I have lived in Tonbridge now for 6 years and always admired the people and community. Me and my partner still live with my mother in a council house and are expecting our first baby.
I left school at 15 and pursued a career in the British Army as A Tank crewman, with a family background in the Armed Forces and my late grandad being in the Royal Marines during the Falklands war, I wanted nothing more than to make him proud. After leaving the British Army I became a police officer in the Met where I learned a great deal about helping the community and serving the British public, I sadly left for family reasons and headed for the private security sector where I was helping different types of people while doing this, I served in my local parish council as a Councillor for Staplehurst.
What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?
The reason for standing for the Reform party is I agree with all its polices, now we have always been a working-class family and have always been a Labour supporter but in recent times neither them or the Conservatives are fit to run government, they have put us in debt, run the country and infrastructure down, not supporting out farmers after leaving the EU and I believe “if you want change you must vote for change” it’s the only way to reform our great United Kingdom again and make Britain GREAT.
My nan used to have a saying “the working man will always get shafted the most” meaning no matter how hard the working-class work they get so little back.
“People are sick of the Conservatives lying and partying and they can’t rely on Labour because they haven’t got a backbone or want to express the people’s voices, only their own. Which is why Reform is the only way”
You’re the Spokesman for Tonbridgewhat’s made you decide to represent this area?
I have always lived in Kent and always lived in the Maidstone area in little villages such as Headcorn etc. but since living under the Tonbridge area for the last 6 years I have come to love the place and the people within it, I believe that I can represent the people of Tonbridge and give them a voice and change to help everyone better than our current government. People are sick of the Conservatives lying and partying and they can’t rely on Labour because they haven’t got a backbone or want to express the people’s voices, only their own. Which is why Reform is the only way.
“I’m holding a local meet up on the Tuesday 13th February to speak with my current volunteers and people that support reform to listen to any current major issues in the area”
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?
Now obviously any MP of any area won’t be able to presume to know every issue and the fact the job is a very demanding but rewarding, Any MP has a great privilege to help the people in the best way possible but in the Tonbridge area I’m 100% committed to helping everyone in the best way possible and identifying them issues that need fixing. I’m holding a local meet up on the Tuesday 13th February to speak with my current volunteers and people that support reform to listen to any current major issues in the area.
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?
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?
