Category: SDP

Michael McGetrick is the SDP prospective candidate for South West Hertfordshire.  We spoke with Michael about his decision to stand.

“I found out through social media that the SDP was still alive. I read The New Declaration and my enthusiasm for the party was immediately re-ignited”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I was born and raised twenty miles north of London, in Hertfordshire, where I received my primary and secondary education. During this time I came to love both the Hertfordshire countryside and it’s close proximity to London. I continued my studies at London University where I studied physics and obtained my doctorate. My research was carried out at the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell.

I was an academic for ten years in South Africa, working with the disenfranchised communities, before moving into the corporate sector. I have worked in a range of industries in various countries (South Africa, United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden) providing solutions to various clients in the military, government and corporate world. My working career in such a variety of geographical settings has provided me with direct experience, and deep understanding of, the vast wealth inequalities that exist between various nations worldwide. As a social democrat, it is my wish to see extreme poverty tackled at both a national and international level.

“more social housing needs to be provided. The reduction of net inward migration to sustainable levels will relieve the pressure on services”

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

I was very excited about the formation of the SDP when it was launched in 1981. Later, when I moved to South Africa, I shared an office with a fellow physics lecturer (also from the UK) at the university. He was a member of the Electoral Reform Society (which promotes proportional representation). One day in our office, in the middle of the African bush, he shared his experiences of campaigning for Roy Jenkins (one of SDP Gang of Four) in the Glasgow Hillhead by-election the year before! We had many discussions on PR and the SDP (when we were not talking physics!). We were both of the opinion that the SDP was the only way forward for Britain.

In the years that passed, hearing nothing of the party after the merger with the Liberal Party, I assumed that the SDP was officially no more.

Fast forward to 2019. I found out through social media that the SDP was still alive. I read The New Declaration and my enthusiasm for the party was immediately re-ignited. I soon became involved with former SDP MEP for East of England Patrick 0’ Flynn’s campaign in the Peterborough by-election, and finally stood as PPC for Watford in the General Election later that year. 

You’re the Spokesman for South West Hertfordshire what’s made you decide to represent this area?

I stood for the constituency of Watford during the 2019 General Election. It is a town I have a familiarity with having been raised in a town not too far way in the county. Due to the recent boundary changes, some areas have been absorbed into South West Hertfordshire. 

“ULEZ policies must be revised or scrapped to ensure people can go about their business”

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

Cost of Living, Housing, Crime and ULEZ.

Local authority budgets are becoming increasingly squeezed due to rising costs and increased demand for services. For instance, more social housing needs to be provided. The reduction of net inward migration to sustainable levels will relieve the pressure on services.

SDP policy on housing would provide for 100,000 new social homes per annum. This would increase the overall housing stock, thus reducing housing costs in both the social and private sectors.

Many in the constituency depend on their living by travelling into London. ULEZ costs can make this prohibitively expensive. ULEZ policies must be revised or scrapped to ensure people can go about their business.

SDP policy on re-industrialisation will, in the longer term, provide more well-paying jobs that will significantly alleviate cost of living problems.

The police will be encouraged to do their job professionally on issues such as knife crime and anti-social behaviour independently of politically correct pressures. Maximum assistance will be given to the police in tackling ‘county lines’ gang-related activity which is becoming more prevalent and sourced from nearby London bases.

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

If you wish to help, please contact me by email at michael.mcgetrick@sdp.org.uk

Any help with leafleting and spreading the word would be greatly appreciated.

You can also follow me on X (Twitter) at @DrMJMcGetrick

More details of our policies may be found at https://sdp.org.uk/policies/

Mark Patten is the SDP prospective candidate for Harpenden and Berkhamsted.  We spoke with Mark about his decision to stand.

“my despair at the main parties has made me step up to stand as a candidate”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I am an NHS consultant anaesthetist who has worked for the NHS all my life. I have been relatively apolitical but my despair at the main parties has made me step up to stand as a candidate.

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

Only party that is promoting a true alternative to the mainstream political parties

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

I have lived in the constituency for 26 years. It is a new constituency that has no incumbent and should be open to a new alternative party.

“Affordable housing for young people. My own three children have no prospect of living independently locally”

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

Affordable housing for young people. My own three children have no prospect of living independently locally. Social care for the elderly the poor provision has massive impacts on the NHS.

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

Come along to the local Hustings and get involved that way.  You can also contact me at mark.patten@sdp.org.uk.

Martin Evison is the SDP prospective candidate for Newcastle upon Tyne North.  We spoke with Martin about his decision to stand.

“feel very at home in the SDP. I am overjoyed at the growth in the Party in such a short time – fielding 122 candidates in the 2024 General Election”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I’m a Shropshire Lad who first came to Newcastle as a student in 1979. I worked in IT in the 80s boom, and then returned to the academic world in the life, archaeological and forensic sciences, retiring in 2020. 

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

I was a wavering Brexit voter inflamed by the disgraceful attempt to overturn the result. This would not have happened if it had gone the other way and was profoundly anti-democratic.

For this reason, I supported the Brexit Party until 2019 and stood for Reform UK in my ward in Newcastle in 2021 strongly advocating for an end to the insane and injurious lockdown policies. My attempts to influence Reform to take a stronger stance at national level fell on deaf ears and, still frustrated, I took a look at the SDP. Their policies are sensible, overlapping in places with those of Reform. Most importantly, however, the SDP seemed properly democratic and consultative of its members with an approachable leadership – and definitely not a vanity project. I have since found all this to be the case and feel very at home in the SDP. I am overjoyed at the growth in the Party in such a short time – fielding 122 candidates in the 2024 General Election.

“My MP was Nick Brown who was suspended by the Labour Party in 2022 for why-we-know-not, depriving the voters of their chosen representation”

You’re the Spokesman for Newcastle upon Tyne North what’s made you decide to represent this area?

I live in Newcastle North, but only 100m from the adjoining Newcastle East and Wallsend, both constituencies having been redrawn for 2024. I know and have lived in both areas, but presently live in and am more familiar with Newcastle North. My MP was Nick Brown who was suspended by the Labour Party in 2022 for why-we-know-not, depriving the voters of their chosen representation ever since. Keir Starmer’s cynical burying of this issue is itself scandalous.

“As well as reshoring industry, we hope to provide more support for small businesses and the self-employed, recognising these form a significant and important part of the economy”

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

Newcastle North has large swathes of rental properties that are often poorly maintained despite spiralling rents, and I anticipate SDP housing policies will be attractive to voters. Everyone will be concerned about the cost of living, and our energy policies should ensure more affordable domestic bills and cheaper costs for industry, which should again bring prices down.

As well as reshoring industry, we hope to provide more support for small businesses and the self-employed, recognising these form a significant and important part of the economy.

There is a substantial care sector in the constituency and the SDP plans for a combined national care service will improve conditions for care staff and residents.

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

To learn more about the SDP please visit sdp.org.uk.

There are lots of opportunities to help with campaigning in Newcastle North and other North East constituencies. In the North East, please make contact by email with northeast@sdp.org.uk. 

For Newcastle North, please use the following contacts:
Email: martin.evison@sdp.org.uk
Twitter: drmartin_evison

Ian Grattidge is the SDP prospective candidate for Tonbridge.  We spoke with Ian about his decision to stand.

“The New Declaration was something of a revelation. It was the first time I read a party ‘prospectus’ with which I almost entirely agreed”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I grew up in Southeast London moving to West Kent over 40 years ago. I am married with four children and three grandchildren. After a career spent mainly in the Civil Service, and latterly operating at senior management level, I ‘reinvented’ myself as a consultant and interim manager specialising in financial, reporting and governance turnrounds. I also have had a number of Governor and Trustee roles, latterly as Board Chair for a Housing Association.

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

For many years I drifted between different parties, not much enthused by the offerings of any. The New Declaration was something of a revelation. It was the first time I read a party ‘prospectus’ with which I almost entirely agreed. At a time when so much division is evident in the UK – division that is being exacerbated by identity politics – I feel that with the SDP  there is a genuine offer of something for all. The family has been neglected by successive governments and over the past few years public services have become both unreliable and seemingly unaccountable to the people they serve.  The prospects, too, for young people getting on the housing ladder seem to be getting increasingly bleak. I don’t believe any of the mainstream parties have engaged with these challenges sufficiently well to give me confidence that they have good solutions.

“At a time when people might like to take the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the Tory Government there needs to be a credible alternative, one based on support for families”

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

I have lived in West Kent for over 40 years. Constituencies have remained steadfastly Conservative during this time. At a time when people might like to take the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the Tory Government there needs to be a credible alternative, one based on support for families, affordable housing and reliable public services. I believe the SDP offers voters the opportunity to support these key priorities. The voters of Tonbridge deserve to have this option made available to them.

“Maintaining good quality services – both in Tonbridge but also the many villages in the constituency – are particular issues from my perspective”

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

Housing is a big issue and the pressure for provision of sufficient affordable housing, particularly for young people who would like to work and live in the area, will remain a challenge. The Council plan, specialising as it does on development of brownfield sites, needs to deliver. Similarly plans to redevelop Tonbridge town centre, to revive it as a thriving High Street are key. Maintaining good quality services – both in Tonbridge but also the many villages in the constituency – are particular issues from my perspective.  Community based services are a better alternative to centralised provision, especially where public transport is not extensively available.

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

There is a new Facebook page – SDP West Kent – aimed at bringing together SDP supporters in the area (Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks) and which will carry updates on local campaigns. We do not have a large army of volunteers so any help with getting the message out there will be really welcome. I can be contacted on ian.grattidge@sdp.org.uk and found on Twitter @GrattidgeIan.

Robert Bayley is the SDP prospective candidate for Ely & East Cambridgeshire.  We spoke with Robert about his decision to stand.

“The definition is – social conservatism with centre-left economy. In other words, a politics that prioritises the financial security and the societal health of the nation”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Robert Bayley. I moved into Witchford in 2011. I have worked as a reliability engineer in a start-up, as a boardmarker in the betting industry, as a screenwriter in LA, in pop promos, I have worked in IT, and more recently I have worked in the care sector. I write novels. My latest is a murder thriller set in Cornwall entitled Rache (pronounced Rakke). I love the arts and often despair of politics.

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

The beautiful thing about the SDP is that it combines left and right in the same package. The definition is – social conservatism with centre-left economy. In other words, a politics that prioritises the financial security and the societal health of the nation. I have been in the Labour party; I have been in the Conservative party; I have drifted politically because I am not a died in the wool ideologue, I simply want politics to work for the people. Left and right curiously have suffered similar declines and falls in recent years. Blair was a revelation who destroyed his own success by going too far. Johnson contrived a brilliant opportunity only to squander it. Fourteen years of undelivered promises have steered the Tories towards a political abyss. I do not crow at that. I do not take the prospect of a Labour landslide majority with its odd fringe elements lightly. I read the SDP manifesto, it ticked the boxes, so I joined. I joined just before the announcement of the snap election and stood shortly after. My immediate priority is to get the SDP on the ballot paper and back into the public arena and get the manifesto read. It is well worth it.

“There’s a lot of history in the constituency: the guerilla warfare of Hereward the Wake and those treacherous Ely monks, the home of Cromwell, the pamphleteers, the strife of the Corn Laws”

You’re the Spokesman for Ely & East Cambridgeshire what’s made you decide to represent this area?

The simple answer is, I live here. I’m not going to say I love it, too many politicians lie. I like hills, unfortunately, this area lacks them. But if you live in a village for a while and you get to know the people, that makes up for any shortfall in topographic aesthetics. There’s a lot of history in the constituency: the guerilla warfare of Hereward the Wake and those treacherous Ely monks, the home of Cromwell, the pamphleteers, the strife of the Corn Laws, industrialisation, Thomas Paine, and the draining of the Fens. It’s an interesting place to stand.

“With respect to housing, I have been to Hamburg. I love those three or four storey high streets with shops beneath. All those studio flats and apartments ideal for professionals and students”

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

I think the introduction of a National Care Service would have a huge impact on care delivery across the constituency. I think private companies operating in the sector fragment the service. I believe there would be more accountability and more efficiency were the services combined into one organisation. A re-introduction of convalescent homes might be considered to help prevent (awful phrase) bed blocking.

With respect to housing, I have been to Hamburg. I love those three or four storey high streets with shops beneath. All those studio flats and apartments ideal for professionals and students and essential workers. Building modestly higher in established conurbations would be my preference going forward rather than developmental sprawl.

A re-nationalised rail service would be brilliant. Open some of those closed stations. We should have a clean, punctual, efficient service, with clear and affordable pricing and manned stations. Rather like national rail services found on the Continent.

Anglia Water is doing a good job I believe, but I cannot agree with siphoning off monies for dividends. I am pro the re-nationalisation of natural monopolies.

The perennial pothole problem needs to be addressed urgently. Covid decimated many high streets, they must be regenerated with a range of quality retailers, reducing rates if necessary. Centralise disabled parking and have more of it.

Access to medical care should be eased by training homegrown nurses and doctors rather than relying so much on imported trained staff, as welcome as they are. And there should be a loyalty clause aimed at retaining people. Dentistry needs to be overhauled on a national scale. 

For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?  (if available please include Facebook, Twitter, emails etc)

I will be handing leaflets out on various days around the constituency (weather permitting)

I can be contacted at:
X (Twitter) @rob_sdp
Email robert.bayley@sdp.org.uk

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?

You can contact me at damon.young@sdp.org.uk

Or find me on Twitter/X @Mondo39.

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?

You can follow me on Twitter (X) @richardbrunning or email richard.brunning@sdp.org.uk and you can find out more about the SDP on our website: https://sdp.org.uk

Where you can, vote SDP on July 4^th.

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?

You can contact me via e:mail neil.norton@sdp.org.uk or find me on X/Twitter @NEILSDPBRIS84.