Damon Young is the SDP prospective candidate for Epsom and Ewell. We spoke with Damon about his decision to stand.
“Some of the people I read, listen to and admire such as Andrew Doyle, Graham Linehan and Winston Marshall publicly expressed support for the SDP and so I was drawn to the party”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a published poet and a teacher at Epsom College. Most importantly, I am a single father to my 11 year old daughter.
What made you decide to stand for the SDP.
Like so many, I have been feeling the frustration of political homelessness. In that frustration I became more and more conscious of an eco- system of similarly minded people online and have taken solace by reading and listening to UnHerd, Triggernometry, Brendan O Neill and Spiked, Bombshells, Matt Goodwin, Laura Dodsworth and many more.
Some of the people I read, listen to and admire such as Andrew Doyle, Graham Linehan and Winston Marshall publicly expressed support for the SDP and so I was drawn to the party. In doing so I was enormously impressed by the leadership of William Clouston and the Mayoral candidacy of Amy Gallagher and felt it was time for me to contribute to the SDP’s ambition of raising its electoral profile.
“The lack of affordable housing is an equally pressing matter. I am passionate about solutions being found for my daughter’s generation”
You’re the spokesman for Epsom and Ewell what’s made you decide to represent the area?
My daughter and I moved here two years ago and we very quickly came to love the area.
“As a teacher at one of the country’s top independent schools, I am horrified by Labour’s punitive policy on school fees”
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?
Like the rest of the country, the breakdown of health and social care is a crisis that must be a top priority.
The lack of affordable housing is an equally pressing matter. I am passionate about solutions being found for my daughter’s generation.
As a teacher at one of the country’s top independent schools, I am horrified by Labour’s punitive policy on school fees. This policy will not impact the very rich (for whom school fees are pocket change) but will impact disastrously on middle- class families who make sacrifices and work extremely hard to provide the education they have chosen for their children. The knock-on effect will be an influx into already overcrowded state schools. It strikes me as a policy born of resentment and envy rather than a genuine desire to raise educational standards.
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?
Richard Brunning is the SDP prospective candidate for Mid-Bedfordshire. We spoke with Richard about his decision to stand.
“It was some years before I started taking an active role though and became a parish councillor. I’m primarily a (small c) conservative but the Conservative party is no longer worthy of the name”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
I grew up in Shropshire, spent four years living and working in the USA in my mid-twenties before coming back to the UK and finally settling down in Bedfordshire. I’m married with twin daughters – who can be a real handful at times – and enjoy walking our Hungarian Vizsla, reading, films, playing with cars, motor-racing, football, cricket and much more besides.
What made you decide to stand for the SDP?
Being wholly ambivalent about politics in my youth, I became much more interested while living across the pond. The 9/11 attacks shook me – along with most of the world – and jolted me out of my political complacency. It was some years before I started taking an active role though and became a parish councillor. I’m primarily a (small c) conservative but the Conservative party is no longer worthy of the name, so I became politically homeless. A chance contact on Twitter led me to research the SDP and I found them to be aligned very closely to my beliefs and values, so it was a natural fit for me. The SDP is a patriotic, economically left leaning and socially right leaning, culturally traditional party. That’s what attracted me.
“my roots run deep within the Bedfordshire soil. It has a wonderful mix of rural and urban areas with a long and proud history of being open to newcomers who share the values of the locals”
You’re the Spokesman for Mid Bedfordshire what’s made you decide to represent this area?
My family and I have lived in Mid Bedfordshire for nearly fifteen years; my daughters were born and go to school here, I’ve been a parish councillor here, so my roots run deep within the Bedfordshire soil. It has a wonderful mix of rural and urban areas with a long and proud history of being open to newcomers who share the values of the locals. Having a representative in parliament who’s representative of the people and not some parachuted in career politician is something I’m keen to provide.
“Real change is needed to tackle the very real problems and concerns of the British public, and the SDP has the right policies”
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?
There are myriad concerns throughout constituency, but the economy and health are among the most pressing. The Tories have wasted fourteen years tinkering with their fingers in their ears while Labour have gone through successive self-immolation periods and have ended up with a leader and a front bench that looks as lightweight as a packet of Quavers. Real change is needed to tackle the very real problems and concerns of the British public, and the SDP has the right policies to achieve the real changes that will benefit everyone.
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?
Neil Norton is the SDP prospective candidate for Bristol South. We spoke with Neil about his decision to stand.
“The main parties do not speak for the ordinary people. Labour have lost their way for a long time, and focus on more luxury beliefs and identity politics”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
I am Neil Norton. Brummie born and bred and have lived in the Bristol region for 12 years. Spent 11 years in Weston-Super-Mare, and just under a year in Bristol. My background is mainly business support within in the public sector (care homes, social services), and did do some volunteer work within Citizens Advice for a couple of years before Covid-19. Currently, I am a full-time carer for family members. I have stood for the SDP in the 2024 local elections here in Bristol for the Hengrove and Whitchurch Park ward, and did enter for Labour in two local elections in North Somerset back in 2015 and 2019.
What made you decide to stand for the SDP?
I came across the SDP a year ago. Their policies spoke to me and felt they represented me and the ordinary working class. The main parties do not speak for the ordinary people. Labour have lost their way for a long time, and focus on more luxury beliefs and identity politics. The Greens are just the Corbynite reserve team with whacky and crazy policies. I was politically homeless at the time tired of Labour’s “flip-flopping” and ineffective governance locally.
The SDP were calling out my name. I took the plunge and joined. There’s not much to disagree with, and it’s a party that is reflective of true British values. This is a part for the future, and will be big news shortly.
You’re the Spokesman for Bristol South what’s made you decide to represent this area?
As a local resident based in Hengrove; this is an area that has been neglected by both the local council and government, and offers true potential. I will represent the local community and listen to residents concerns.
“Considering there are numerous homeless people and families in the city; why are students top priority? These are only temporary residents and will bring little to local communities”
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?
Bristol South has a lot of high crime, deprivation and sadly in recent over-development of alleged “affordable” housing, which is out of reach to many people. The state of Bedminster High Street is unbelievable. The local Green councillors have let their area become a glorified building site by building ridiculous student housing developments and turning buildings into HMOs often attracting undesirable people. Considering there are numerous homeless people and families in the city; why are students top priority? These are only temporary residents and will bring little to local communities.
Meanwhile, homeless families are in expensive, low-quality temporary accommodation with little to zero hope of getting a decent home. The Greens have no housing policy. Everyone should have a home and more focus needs to be on homeless families. Crime is a key issue, especially with drugs, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and knife-crime. A zero tolerance approach is needed. Policing needs to be back to basics on real crime. Drug dealers need to be punished, and more needs to be done for addicts to stop relapsing. People and businesses alike should not be living in fear. Harsher punishments for knife crime, and for those carrying a knife. Why take a life?
“Complacency from both Labour and the Greens in the area has led to the ordinary people ignored. A vote for the SDP will see real change and bring back common sense changes and rules”
Public transport needs improving. Bus stops are needed, as there are areas cut off with huge distances for walking that’s unfair on disabled and elderly people. Reliable services, which do not keep being cancelled as well as being affordable to people. Parsons Street and Bedminster railway stations to be bought into the 21st century with suitable access for the disabled and more regular services than a pathetic one an hour. It’s time GWR and National Rail as well as local councils and the government stopped messing about and actually listened to the customer.
I support the revival of Whitchurch Athletics Track in the area as that would be a benefit to the community, especially young people to be involved in activities and fulfil their potential. I will listen and fight for residents of Bristol South and make their area better again. Complacency from both Labour and the Greens in the area has led to the ordinary people ignored. A vote for the SDP will see real change and bring back common sense changes and rules.
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?
Alastair Mellon is the SDP prospective candidate for Coventry South. We spoke with Alastair about his decision to stand.
“I joined the SDP recently after about a year of conversations with William Clouston who I admire for his reasonableness, perseverance and calm management style”
I grew up in Coventry South. My father passed away in 1999 and my Mother continued to live in the City until she died last October and so I was in Coventry every other weekend for the last 25 years visiting her which helped me to maintain friendships with people I went to school with and with whom I have been friends for 50+ years.
I’m a chartered Civil Engineer, I run a Contractor-Developer and I’m an Investor in startups. I’ve built railways, factories, skyscrapers, office blocks, thousands of apartments and houses as well as 12 refugee centres for 25,000 displaced people in Bosnia during the Civil War in 92/93. I’ve built and invested in several successful companies including Europe’s largest online psychiatry business which treats 200,000 patients and employs more than 500 staff.
“a local campaign with our focus on bringing back highly skilled, high paying jobs to Coventry which are the bedrock of family formation”
I joined the SDP recently after about a year of conversations with William Clouston who I admire for his reasonableness, perseverance and calm management style. Their message of Family, Industry & Nation resonates with my experience of what works in practice.
I am running a local campaign with our focus on bringing back highly skilled, high paying jobs to Coventry which are the bedrock of family formation. Without high wages it is very difficult to support a family, buy a house, raise kids and take part in the civic life of the City. The SDP regards family as the cornerstone of society and I agree completely with that sentiment.
When my family moved back to Coventry from Liverpool in 1969 it was a self confident town with better pay than almost anywhere else in the country. When I left in 1982 to go and work in a car factory outside Paris, unemployment in Coventry was 19.2% and Ghost Town by the ‘Specials’ was synonymous with Coventry.
“My aim is to create a ‘Can Do’ atmosphere in Coventry, to inspire, enthuse and convene the citizens, the council, local businesses and universities”
The City’s businesses were pummelled by high interest rates imposed by Mrs Thatcher with many, including Standard/Triumph right next to my old school, going bankrupt with 13,000 redundancies in one day. I’d taken the No.1 bus home from school for 6 years with men who worked there all their lives who couldn’t conceive that they’d lost their jobs to an experiment in monetarism.
My aim is to create a ‘Can Do’ atmosphere in Coventry, to inspire, enthuse and convene the citizens, the council, local businesses and universities as well as utilities, VC’s, Private Equity, regional and national government and to harness them all to rebuild the high value add economy we had.
“We have all witnessed the exponential growth of cities around the world who act like start-up incubators be it Singapore, Shenzhen or Dubai”
I aim to generate a Tsunami of imaginative proposals, to trial new ideas, to experiment with new industries and to become the indispensable, flexible place that makes us impossible for the government, of any stripe, to ignore:
Want to trial autonomous cars in the UK? -> Go to Coventry.
Want to establish a new paradigm for building cheap nuclear power stations that dispenses with the crippling costs imposed by ALARA? -> Go to Coventry.
Want to know how to construct economically Build to Rent (BTR) housing and sell it to UK pension funds that are seeking long term, asset-backed, inflation-proof investments with solid cash flows from rental income which track wages to match their pension liabilities?-> Go to Coventry.
We will overcome our lack of resources with resourcefulness.
We have all witnessed the exponential growth of cities around the world who act like start-up incubators be it Singapore, Shenzhen or Dubai who started with far less than Coventry already has. Shenzhen was a fishing village of 3,000 souls, Dubai a strip of desert, Singapore a rejected Malaysian state plagued by race riots – why can’t we put our City back at the top of the pile?
Our football club, The Sky Blues, have been through a desperate couple of decades but under the inspired leadership of Mark Robbins they are demonstrating that, ‘there are second acts in the life of our great City’.
Jan Cresswell is the SDP prospective candidate for Blackpool North and Fleetwood. We spoke with Jan about her decision to stand.
“I have a fundamental mistrust of empire building, and expect that in time the EU bureaucratic machine will overreach itself enough to see the edifice come tumbling down”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Jan Cresswell, and until very recently I worked as a conservation officer at Blackpool Council. I retired at Easter, so I’m looking forward to filling my time with travel and hobbies. I’ve been married to Keith for 29 years, and have two children: Jessica and Jonathan.
What made you decide to stand for the SDP?
I joined the SDP about 4 years ago when I was feeling politically homeless. I’d always considered myself ‘a bit of a leftie’ but found myself being shunted towards the centre ground without having particularly changed my worldview! Brexit was a big issue for me. I have a fundamental mistrust of empire building, and expect that in time the EU bureaucratic machine will overreach itself enough to see the edifice come tumbling down as other European countries reject its ideologies. It’s clear how far it has enmeshed itself in our everyday lives by how difficult it has been to extricate ourselves.
“I was born in Blackpool, spent my early years in Thornton (5 miles north) and went to senior school in Fleetwood. I’ve always worked on the Fylde Coast, so I feel sure I know the area, its struggles and its people”
As I was casting around for a new political home I discovered the SDP, and instantly felt that their policies chimed with my own beliefs. As well as being left-leaning economically they, for instance, consider the nation-state to be the upper limit of democracy. They also pledge to uphold the values of freedom of thought and speech which lie at the heart of British democracy. As someone who was shocked at the rapid descent into authoritarianism since March 2020, and censorship of dissenting voices in this and other matters, this gave me hope. I know small parties struggle to be heard above the noise of the two main parties, but I firmly believe that people should be given a real choice, and that’s why I’m standing, no matter how high a mountain there is to climb.
You’re the spokesman for Blackpool North and Fleetwood. What’s made you decide to represent this area?
I was born in Blackpool, spent my early years in Thornton (5 miles north) and went to senior school in Fleetwood. I’ve always worked on the Fylde Coast, so I feel sure I know the area, its struggles and its people. I’ve seen the changes and how they have affected the health, wealth and well-being of local people, and it would be an honour to champion them.
“it sometimes feels like the town has been written off, like so many other industrial areas where the main source of employment has disappeared. I would champion the re-industrialisation of Fleetwood, supplying training and jobs (see the SDP policy on Special Economic Zones)”
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency, and what issues do you hope to champion?
As the first mass working-class seaside resort, Blackpool became a victim of its own early success. In the 1970s and 80s mass tourism declined with the availability of cheap foreign holidays. B&B owners and other local businesses struggled to stay afloat. In the following years, a downward spiral of cheap accommodation chasing fewer visitors, more and more given over to houses in multiple occupation, lack of investment and the steady influx of people from other areas, attracted to plentiful cheap accommodation by the sea, bringing their own problems with them, has resulted in a town having some of the worst health and social inequalities in the country. However, I know that the local Council is trying to turn back the tide, and have been successful in attracting millions in government funding to improve the town, which will encourage private investment, improve life for residents and give holidaymakers more reasons to visit. It will take many years to reverse the impact of that earlier decline, but I would make championing the work of the Council (which often isn’t recognised) my main concern, because I know they have the best interests of local people at heart.
Fleetwood has similarly suffered a long decline since the closure of the branch railway line and the demise of the fishing industry. It’s unlikely even with Brexit that fishing will ever recover its former importance, but it sometimes feels like the town has been written off, like so many other industrial areas where the main source of employment has disappeared. I would champion the re-industrialisation of Fleetwood, supplying training and jobs (see the SDP policy on Special Economic Zones). There is also now a glimmer of hope that the branch railway line will be reinstated to link up with the tramway in Fleetwood, and I would definitely champion that given the opportunity. People, especially young people, need to be given the chance to fulfil their potential, and good education and training and affordable transport links for business and leisure, are also very important to achieve that.
But I think it’s important to be honest with people that there are no quick fixes, that turning around decline can take decades to see tangible results. In today’s world of instant gratification that’s probably a hard sell, but I find that honesty is ultimately the best policy!
Lastly, I’d encourage anyone who thinks that the SDP might be for them to visit the website sdp.org.uk to look at their comprehensive policies.
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 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?
Michael Roberts is the SDP prospective candidate for North East Cambridgeshire. We spoke with Michael about his decision to stand.
“As a self-described man ‘of the Left’, I have become increasingly uneasy with the Lefts’ seeming abandonment of the working class”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
I was born in Croydon but grew up in Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. I’ve been interested in politics since I was a kid and would (and still do) describe myself as ‘of the Left’. I studied as a mature(ish) student at the University of York, where I secured a First Class BA in Politics. I subsequently did an MA in Legal & Political Theory at UCL. I did have a place to do a PhD at UCL, but this was cut short when I had a double pulmonary embolism. I’ve been on a slow road to recovery since.
I have done a range of jobs in Project and Programme Management, mostly for government departments/agencies e.g. Home Office, Foreign Office, British Council. I worked at the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York for two months, and even spent an hour, or so, at No. 10.
I’m a long-suffering West Ham fan and an amateur songwriter. I’m moved from Hitchin in Hertfordshire to March in Cambridgeshire seven years ago, to be closer to my parents.
“Contrary to the media characterisation of an unwashed bigoted mass, the British people are some of the most tolerant, generous, and peaceable people on Earth”
What made you decide to stand for the SDP?
As a self-described man ‘of the Left’, I have become increasingly uneasy with the Lefts’ seeming abandonment of the working class and with ‘so called’ progressives’ hostility toward hard-won Enlightenment freedoms, e.g. freedom of speech.
The post-Brexit vote reaction vividly exposed the palpable contempt that the ‘main’ parties have for the concerns of the British people. Contrary to the media characterisation of an unwashed bigoted mass, the British people are some of the most tolerant, generous, and peaceable people on Earth.
Given our (thus far unexploited) post-Brexit independence, the UK governing apparatus needs to put the British people at the centre of policy making, to include a radical (relatively speaking) social democratic agenda. I believe that as a patriotic, traditional, and economically left-leaning party, the SDP is ideally positioned to address these concerns. Rather than complaining from the side lines, I decided to stand for the SDP to support this endeavour.
“There is a desperate need for more social housing (and housing more generally) in the region. The solution is mind-bendingly obvious, even if it has eluded our leaders over the past decades – a substantial house building programme”
You’re the Spokesman for North East Cambridgeshire what’s made you decide to represent this area?
I’ve lived in the area for the last seven years (and in the region for most of my life). Most of the UK has been suffering over the last few years, but a lack of investment with an older ailing population has seen this area decimated. I’d like to do whatever I can to reverse this trend.
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?
There is a desperate need for more social housing (and housing more generally) in the region. The solution is mind-bendingly obvious, even if it has eluded our leaders over the past decades – a substantial house building programme.
Many constituents are really struggling with energy/fuel costs and the commuter population are similarly afflicted with eye-watering train ticket prices. The SDP proposes the nationalisation of natural monopolies, and energy/transport are perhaps the most urgent.
This part of the country is particularly affected by and concerned with the massive flows of immigration in the last few years. The government has no excuse for this: since leaving the byzantine clutches of the EU – this is a choice. Most people don’t want to see a complete cessation, but they want to see the pace slow substantially. We need to re-skill our native population – especially in healthcare roles.
I am deeply opposed to radical gender ideology and inflamed identity politics more broadly. Many are not aware of these alarming trends, but that is changing rapidly.
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?
Firstly, spread the word about the SDP; the aims in the ‘new declaration’ are closely aligned to the concerns of most. You can also follow the party on X/Twitter at @SDPhq.
Hilary Salt is the SDP prospective candidate for Wythenshawe and Sale East, in Manchester. We spoke with Hilary about her decision to stand.
“I joined forces with a small group of actuaries to establish a pensions consultancy with five offices across the country. I set up our Manchester office and we now employ 90 people in the North West”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
I live in Sale with my dog, Friday. I’m an actuary, which means that I work with numbers. In 2004, I joined forces with a small group of actuaries to establish a pensions consultancy with five offices across the country. I set up our Manchester office and we now employ 90 people in the North West.
I raised two sons in Sale. They’re both grown up now. One is a carpenter, living and working locally. The other, an engineer, couldn’t resist the bright lights of London.
I spend my spare time with family and friends in Manchester. I love football and music. In quieter moments, I like pottering in the garden and spending weekends away with the dog in my VW campervan.
Having dedicated more than 40 years of my life to pensions work, I am now stepping away to stand in the general election.
“our biggest challenge is to revitalise productivity in Britain. The SDP’s policies on re-industrialisation, investment in infrastructure and energy, and rethinking how we train people, all address this priority”
What made you decide to stand for the SDP?
I joined the SDP three years ago, having become disillusioned with the left, which is what I still think of as my natural political home. I didn’t think I’d find a party that reflected the concerns I have about this country and the world around us. But when I came across the SPD and explored their policies, I found that they really spoke to me.
I think our biggest challenge is to revitalise productivity in Britain. The SDP’s policies on re-industrialisation, investment in infrastructure and energy, and rethinking how we train people, all address this priority.
The SDP policies are practical and grounded – we know what a woman is, we recognise the need to pause mass immigration, and we’re determined to build houses that are fit for our citizens.
I was already an active local member of the SDP North West branch when the Tories decided to bring back David Cameron. At this point, I became so frustrated that I knew I had to do something to offer local people an alternative to our broken two-party system.
You’re the spokesperson for Wythenshawe & Sale East. What’s made you decide to represent this area?
There’s an easy answer to this – it’s where I live. My son and lots of my friends also live in the constituency. So I can definitely count on local support for my campaign.
“there are some wider principles I want to champion – including free speech, defending women’s sex-based rights, and driving innovation and business productivity”
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency, and what issues do you hope to champion?
It’s an interesting constituency with lots of different areas and communities, so I expect to face a wide range of local issues.
Many hardworking tradespeople in Wythenshawe are still concerned about Manchester’s paused Clean Air Zone. And across the constituency, people worry whether sufficient resources are in place to support the new residents we have welcomed, including those from Hong Kong.
We’ve seen some success with the regeneration of our high streets, but in some areas this is stuttering to a halt and people want to see more renewal. And as in many areas, crime remains a central anxiety both for families and businesses.
I’m keen to support local people with all these bread and butter issues. But at the same time, there are some wider principles I want to champion – including free speech, defending women’s sex-based rights, and driving innovation and business productivity.
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?
The most helpful thing people can do is to tell their friends and relatives about the SDP. Whenever we run a meeting or a street stall, lots of people tell us that they didn’t know about us and are amazed to find that we’re exactly what they were looking for. If you want to help my campaign, get in touch with me at [email protected]. Connect with me at facebook.com/hilary.salt. or follow me on X/Twitter at @RedActuary.
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!
