Category: SDP

Daniel McNay is the SDP prospective candidate for Alyn & Deeside in North Wales.  We spoke with Dan about his decision to stand.

“most SDP members will tell you, when asked why they are SDP members, is that they are patriotic, economically left of centre, and strong supporters of free speech”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

Originally from the north east of England, I now live in north Wales where I have now settled with my young family. Before settling down, I spent a number of years in the British army, specifically the infantry, which ensured I was fortunate enough to see a lot of the United Kingdom as well as the wider world. With regards to my own passions and pastimes, my love of football, along with a love/hate relationship with Hartlepool United, would certainly top the list. To move in an entirely different direction, I do have a keen interest in a specific collection of vampire novels, although we are talking more Anne Rice than Stephanie Meyer. I also harbour a strong fascination with human history, from antiquity to the modern world, along with politics itself, which naturally brought me to the SDP.

“Sadly, authoritarian progressivism seems to have taken western society hostage”

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

One thing most SDP members will tell you, when asked why they are SDP members, is that they are patriotic, economically left of centre, and strong supporters of free speech and respectful debate which nurtures the free exchange of ideas. I am no exception. While one major party seems to take pride in ridiculing patriotism, and the other indulges in reckless apathy with regards to the less wealthy portions of society, the SDP proves to be the only party which bridges the gap, thus representing the vast majority of people in the UK.

Sadly, authoritarian progressivism seems to have taken western society hostage. Race, gender, immigration, Coronavirus, climate-change, these are all topics the British public is constantly lectured on, but prohibited from offering any opinion on, other than the opinions pre-approved by the loudest and angriest of Leftists. Leftists who, quite frankly, care little about the aforementioned issues, and care only about hijacking them and using them to push extremist agendas. For anyone who is up to date with the motivations behind groups such as BLM and Antifa, they will require no reminders of the agendas in question.

“a very simple yet very honest reason for wishing to stand for the SDP, is that they are good people”

Also, a very simple yet very honest reason for wishing to stand for the SDP, is that they are good people. I have met many people with many political persuasions in my life, and while I have encountered brashness, arrogance and ego in abundance in these encounters, my interactions with SDP members tend to offer none of that. the vast majority of SDP members are mild-mannered, open-minded and seem to enjoy listening to the beliefs of others as much as they do telling others what they believe. Yet for all their pleasantness and amiability, there is a stubborn courage, and a refusal to do what many people have done already. They won’t allow themselves to be silenced by the threat of false accusations or the sting of extremist rhetoric.

“If by standing, I provide people the chance to vote for a party which represents them, this is a great honour to have”

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

I am choosing to represent this area, simply because this is my home. It is a fantastic place to live, and as with most places in the UK, I know it is made up of hard-working sensible people who are likely frustrated every time they force themselves to vote. Many will reluctantly vote Labour out of habit. I certainly have. Others will vote Conservative through gritted teeth. Most, I am certain, would vote SDP if they were aware of our policies and our values. If by standing, I provide people the chance to vote for a party which represents them, this is a great honour to have.

“being a Welsh constituency, the new 20mph speed limit is understandably proving to be universally unpopular”

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

I believe the concerns for my constituency are largely the same concerns most working people have up and down the country. Of course, being a Welsh constituency, the new 20mph speed limit is understandably proving to be universally unpopular. Additionally, the worrying decision of the Welsh Parliament to ban a particular news channel in order to ‘protect’ its staff, is also concerning. Should governments ever take it upon themselves to protect adults from information and opinions the government in question does not like?

Aside from these matters, the SDP has strong and detailed views on a wide range of issues, which are readily available on our website. Unlike some parties, we are not focussed on one single issue, nor do we ignore any matters which impact the British people.

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

For more information on the party visit our website at https://sdp.org.uk/.

For those wishing to get involved, it is incredibly easy. The first and simplest step is to join the party. You will struggle to find a cheaper party to join, and struggle just as much to find one where the top brass and the average party member interact as frequently and as effectively as the SDP. When you join, you can immediately make an impact.  You can join up at https://sdp.nationbuilder.com.

You can also follow and get in touch via https://twitter.com/SDPCymru and https://twitter.com/SDPhq.  You can contact me on email at mailto:[email protected].

Philip Peers is the SDP prospective candidate for Torridge & Tavistock in Devon.  We spoke with Philip about his decision to stand.

“Their policies align perfectly with my outlook on life and what I believe would deliver the best future for my family, community and nation”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I am pleased to announce my selection as prospective parliamentary candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the Torridge & Tavistock Constituency.  I am a married father of two young children. I am a former town councillor for Tavistock. I work locally for an NHS Trust based in Plymouth and am a director of the estate management company for the estate in which I live.

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

The SDP is a political party with policies that are patriotic, economically left-leaning and culturally traditional. Their policies align perfectly with my outlook on life and what I believe would deliver the best future for my family, community and nation.

“Simply put, this is the community in which I have the greatest stake in. It is my sincere wish for the people of this constituency and neighbouring ones to be the most healthy, prosperous, and fulfilled as they possibly can be”

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

This is the area that I was raised in from the age of 2 years old and continue to live in and raise my own family in. I have strong roots within the community having attended local state primary and secondary schools, worked for local businesses and where my friends and family live. Simply put, this is the community in which I have the greatest stake in. It is my sincere wish for the people of this constituency and neighbouring ones to be the most healthy, prosperous, and fulfilled as they possibly can be. It has been taken for granted by the Conservative Party for too long and become a forgotten land in the halls of Westminster.

“we have 8,500 households on the waiting list for social housing. It’s not just a lack of total numbers though but suitable housing in the right places”

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

Housing, employment and healthcare. These are the big three that will affect just about everyone. We have a chronic lack of housing, in Devon excluding the Unitary authority areas of Plymouth and Torbay we have 8,500 households on the waiting list for social housing. It’s not just a lack of total numbers though but suitable housing in the right places.

There is no coherent strategy for economic development in this part of the country. We lack high skilled, well-paid jobs in a vibrant private sector. This is caused to a great extent by being geographically isolated and lacking the infrastructure to allow for speedy and reliable public or private transport or even rural high-speed broadband. We need central government to form a coherent economic strategy for our region with massive investment in transport infrastructure and connectivity.

Healthcare, we have some of the poorest communities in the nation here with worse than average health outcomes. In the current financial year the NHS allocated the third highest amount of money per head of population to the Southwest ICB’s at £1,536. The formula for calculating this is based on various factors that determine the need of the population, poverty being a high indicator of poor health outcomes and the need for greater funding.  

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

I would ask that any member of the SDP or any citizen concerned with the state of our communities and nation who is based in West Devon to get in touch with me at [email protected].

For more information on the party visit our website at https://sdp.org.uk/. 

Ivan Kinsman is the SDP prospective candidate for West Suffolk.  We spoke with Ivan about his decision to stand.

“I believe that the current duopoly of Conservative and Labour is failing the country, as well as the first-past-the-post electoral system”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I am 61 years old and a graduate from The University of St Andrews M.A. Hons.) and Edinburgh University (MBA). I was brought up in the Lake District, later moving to the south-west of England as a teenager and attended Eton College. After my university education in Scotland, I moved down to London, working as a wine salesman, IT and telecoms conference organiser and then website administrator/copywriter for a fund manager prior to moving to Newmarket in Suffolk.

I run my own translation and proofreading business, which I have been doing since 2011 (which also involves a lot of foreign travel).

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

I have a keen interest in politics and current affairs. I believe that the current duopoly of Conservative and Labour is failing the country, as well as the first-past-the-post electoral system. I was persuaded to join the SDP by The New Declaration as well as by listening to the speakers at the party conference in Manchester in 2022. The SDP very much reflects my own political views, which are left of centre on the economy whilst right of centre on cultural and social issues.

“the SDP’s political agenda, focused on family, community and nation, will appeal to voters who live in a county that has a large number of historic towns and large tracts of farmland and countryside”

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

I have a strong association with West Suffolk through living in Newmarket, a town famous for its horseracing (around 3,000 race horses are stabled in and around Newmarket; by comparison, the human population is around 15,000 and it is estimated that one in three jobs are connected to horseracing in one way or another). 

The constituency’s MP is currently the independent Matt Hancock who is standing down at the next election. Although traditionally a Tory constituency, I feel that the SDP’s political agenda, focused on family, community and nation, will appeal to voters who live in a county that has a large number of historic towns and large tracts of farmland and countryside, so most people lead a predominantly rural lifestyle. Nick Timothy will the Conservative PPC but he carries a lot of baggage as the political advisor to Theresa May who, along with Fiona Hill, was held responsible by MPs for the disastrous snap election results called by her.

I regularly attend the EofE SDP meetings, chaired by Michael McGetrick, as well as the party annual conferences.

“The Conservative party has conserved very little but instead – as William Clouston correctly emphasises – put everything up for sale, and it is increasing clear that Labour has abandoned the nation’s working men and women”

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

Jobs, cost of living, housing, public services, energy and immigration are all issues affecting West Suffolk. voters.

Energy: Sunnica Energy Farm, a solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage project in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. West Suffolk Council are currently evaluating a Development Consent Order to the Planning Inspectorate. I am a strong supporter of renewables so am supporting this initiative.

Public services: Suffolk Country council this month (January 2024) has proposed £64.7m in cuts to balance its budget including scrapping funding for the arts, making redundancies and closing two archives’ branches. The Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds could have its funding stopped by Suffolk County Council as part of the proposed £500,000 in savings by stopping core funding to art and museum sector organisations from April 2025.

Cost of living/health: West Suffolk also has some poverty hotspots, for example the Howard Estate in Bury St Edmunds has recently been labelled the most deprived ward in West Suffolk with “significantly higher rates of hospital admissions compared to the national average, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), self-harm and alcohol related conditions being some key areas of concern” (Suffolk News, 5.01.24).

My core message will be that the SDP is not a party of the major urban centres like Labour and the Conservatives but focused on strengthening communities. Like in other parts of the country, I am convinced people in West Suffolk believe that the old Labour/Conservative duopoly is harming our nation. The Conservative party has conserved very little but instead – as William Clouston correctly emphasises – put everything up for sale, and it is increasing clear that Labour has abandoned the nation’s working men and women. To preserve what is best in our nation Westminster must change, and as West Suffolk’s MP I will be working hard for my constituents instead of being sucked into the Westminster metropolitan bubble.

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

I require 10 signatures from West Suffolk residents who are on the electoral register so please contact me if you can help with this.

I am focusing initially on digital media activities via Facebook and Twitter/X, and then later local campaigning including leafleting and establishing street stalls. If people are interested in helping out, that would be greatly appreciated.

You can find out more about the SDP at https://sdp.org.uk/ and follow or contact me via:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IvanKinsmanSDP/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IvanKinsmanSDP
Email: mailto:[email protected]

Martin Broomfield is the SDP prospective candidate for South Cotswolds.  We spoke with Martin about his decision to stand.

“I feel very comfortable with the SDP’s strapline:- Family, Community, Nation.  Now semi-retired I have some time to spend on helping the SDP to spread the word”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I grew up in Reading, it was a multicultural town even in the 1970s but unlike today, we all understood and respected our cultural differences and we lived happily side by side, it was a real live and let live environment which I really enjoyed.

I went to a secondary modern school. When I was 16 I started an apprenticeship as a toolmaker and studied for HNC in mech. eng. at Reading Tech.  I worked in various engineering jobs, became a service engineer and eventually got into industrial robotics and CAD design, working in car factories including Ford, Rover, BMW, Volvo and Honda in various European locations.

I have lived in Wiltshire for the last 40 years, I now live to the north of Chippenham with my wife Daisy and two teenage sons.  I also have two grown up daughters living in Australia and Thailand.

I feel very comfortable with the SDP’s strapline:- Family, Community, Nation.  Now semi-retired I have some time to spend on helping the SDP to spread the word.

“the EU was a massively complex, cumbersome organisation that was trying to amalgamate the opinions of 27 different nations, headed up by a top table of unelected bureaucrats”

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

For most of my voting life all of my political knowledge came from the TV and I voted depending on who appealed most from the little that I knew.  Then in 2016 the EU referendum was looming, I realised that this was going to be a really important political event. I also realised that I knew nothing about politics or the European Union, so I set about learning everything I could, about how our political institutions functioned and how the EU was a massively complex, cumbersome organisation that was trying to amalgamate the opinions of 27 different nations, headed up by a top table of unelected bureaucrats. I could see the intention was to make “one size that fits all” decisions and laws, but in reality it seemed the best they ever achieved was “one size that fits nobody”.

My attempts to discuss European pros and cons revealed it was a very emotive subject, but worst of all I constantly heard the BBC telling us we were racist idiots for even wanting to talk about it.  Then move on a few years and I found that questioning the main stream Covid narrative brought on a very similar reaction.  Then came the race and culture wars and lo and behold, it was very difficult to talk about any of that without being called all sorts of names.

“It became apparent that there was a culture of suppressing free speech to allow the propagation of niche ideas that were not good for the majority of the British people”

It became apparent that there was a culture of suppressing free speech to allow the propagation of niche ideas that were not good for the majority of the British people, which frankly horrified me. Being able to discuss every subject openly and freely without emotional bullying or guilt trips is the bedrock of a healthy democracy.

I found that the government in power was actually fuelling this suppression, because it seemed that their policies and actions were at odds with each other and their actions did not stand up to any sort of common sense scrutiny. But they were dead set on the idea that “globalism is the new god” and they were going to expedite pulling down Britain’s borders and forcing this thing on the British people whether they liked it or not.

Net Zero, another globalist idea based on very dodgy data. The government’s solution was to enforce the use of electric only power while simultaneously dismantling our electricity generating capability.  Thankfully I realised that the SDP, who’s name I knew of old, actually had policies that I agreed with.  At last I had found my political home.

“if there was a box that said “None of the above”, that’s where I would put my cross.  Obviously this is not good enough, so I am standing to give voters the opportunity to put a cross by the “SDP”

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

I live in the Kington ward of the South Cotswolds County Constituency.  As may be apparent from my previous answers, I am not a career politician and I am not from any area of influence.  Every time I go to vote, I find the same problem, if there was a box that said “None of the above”, that’s where I would put my cross.  Obviously this is not good enough, so I am standing to give voters the opportunity to put a cross by the “SDP”.

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

One of our main challenges is to somehow force our institutions, councils, NHS, welfare etc. to stick to their core responsibilities and not waste enormous amounts of our money on stuff that most people consider to be irrelevant nonsense.

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

At the moment the SDP name and policies need to be spread to as many people as possible. I think if we can get people familiar with the party’s policies then we will naturally get politically homeless people on board. So spreading website links and getting people aware of us will be key to starting the ball rolling.

You can find out more on our website at https://sdp.org.uk/.

You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and email me at [email protected].

Tim Burt is the SDP prospective candidate for Maidenhead.  We spoke with Tim about his decision to stand.

“The Labour party has turned its back on traditional working people in favour of adherence to divisive identity politics, whereas the Conservatives have achieved very little over the last 13 years and have merely presided over the continuing decline of the country”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I was born in Chichester before moving to Stamford Lincolnshire where I went to school.  After graduating from Nottingham University in mathematics I moved into the telecommunications industry, initially as a software engineer and later in a variety of operational roles.  I have been a resident of Maidenhead for 33 years where I live with my long term partner Jayne. I am now retired and looking to contribute back to the local community.

“I want to give the people of Maidenhead a real choice in how they vote at the next general election”

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

I had found myself feeling increasingly politically homeless.  The Labour party has turned its back on traditional working people in favour of adherence to divisive identity politics, whereas the Conservatives have achieved very little over the last 13 years and have merely presided over the continuing decline of the country. Once I read the SDP’s New Declaration expounding their values, with their combination of progressive economic policies with support for the traditional values of the country, these immediately chimed with me.

I now believe that it is important to play my part in getting the message out to the country that there is a real alternative.

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

As a long time resident of Maidenhead I feel very lucky to live in such an area of natural beauty and  want to do what I can to assure the future of our town and surrounding villages. I want to give the people of Maidenhead a real choice in how they vote at the next general election.

“In Maidenhead there is a need for more quality family housing rather than the ever expanding development of high rise flats in the town”

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

Maidenhead is currently undergoing major development as part of its borough local plan (BLP). Although there is an urgent need nationally for more housing, it is important to ensure that such developments are appropriate to their environment and meet the needs of their residents. In Maidenhead there is a need for more quality family housing rather than the ever expanding development of high rise flats in the town. Affordable housing is also a major issue, something that the SDP looks to address in its manifesto policies.

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

The SDP is a growing party, but local membership still currently remains very modest. We need any local residents who are attracted by the SDP’s message to assist in any way they can, whether that be leafletting, spreading the message at street stalls or just putting up a poster at election time. Anyone interested in helping can contact me at [email protected].

Kyn Pomlett is the SDP prospective candidate for Didcot and Wantage, in Oxfordshire.  We spoke with Kyn about his decision to stand.

“I want a government that thinks of Britain as a home, not a business or a charity, which is not indifferent to the aspirations and welfare of the residents of these islands”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I am retired and have been married for 40 years. I was born in the West Midlands and lived in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. I have worked and studied in the fields of Electronic Engineering, Software Engineering and Project Management.

I have lived in Cholsey in South Oxfordshire for 30 years and I was a Cholsey Parish Councillor for 3 years.

“I live in one of the best areas of Britain. I know we can do better for the people in this area than the present national and local representatives”

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

I joined the SDP in July 2020. I had been disillusioned by the 3 main parties for a long time and I was actively seeking a political home. I was drawn to the SDP through its pragmatic policies and focus on the family, community, and nation.

I want a government that thinks of Britain as a home, not a business or a charity, which is not indifferent to the aspirations and welfare of the residents of these islands.

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

I have lived in the Didcot and Wantage constituency for 30 years and I honestly believe I live in one of the best areas of Britain. I know we can do better for the people in this area than the present national and local representatives. 

“The development of infrastructure is lagging the new builds in the area. This has contributed to the shortage of GPs, struggling utility and transport provision”

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

My key concerns for the area are housing, health provision and local democracy.

The cost of local housing is extremely high, is of low quality and of high density. This has resulted in an urban city sprawl on the 3 market towns; this in an area that is predominately rural. We need new homes to be built; they must be appropriate and sensitive to the rural context and needs of the community.

The development of infrastructure is lagging the new builds in the area. This has contributed to the shortage of GPs, struggling utility and transport provision.

There is a deficit of local democracy as the authorities are unrelenting in their unquestioned application of Net Zero policies. These are starting to impact the community in terms of transport, road and verge maintenance, and low traffic neighbourhoods.

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

The Social Democratic Party offer a real alternative. A vote for me is a vote to end the indifference of politicians and to put people in Didcot and Wantage back in control.

If you would like to raise any issues in our area or would like to help and support me, please contact me on [email protected], please also follow me on Twitter.

Andrew Davis is the SDP prospective candidate for Winchester.  We spoke with Andrew about his decision to stand.

“I am proud of this country and its heritage, and our traditions are valuable and should be respected.  I do not like the radicalisation of society which I am seeing today as a result of people pushing divisive political agendas”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Andrew Davis.  I was born in Hillingdon but have lived in Winchester since 1992.  I am sixty years old.  I have a degree in history from Warwick University and started my career in the 1980s as a customs and excise officer.  Since then, I have worked in tax related roles in various companies in England, Ireland and Poland.  I am still in full time work and commute into central London.

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

I am one of the people who feels that I am not represented by the major political parties.  I am from a working class background and have benefited from the post war welfare and educational reforms.  I want to ensure that everyone has the same opportunity.  However, I am proud of this country and its heritage, and our traditions are valuable and should be respected.  I do not like the radicalisation of society which I am seeing today as a result of people pushing divisive political agendas.

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

I love Winchester and the people of Winchester.  I want to give them a choice and try to break the stale political monoculture which has prevailed for too long.

“Winchester is a wealthy city located in a beautiful area.  It therefore pains me to see the number of homeless people on the streets, and the associated problem of mental illness and addiction”

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

Winchester is a wealthy city located in a beautiful area.  It therefore pains me to see the number of homeless people on the streets, and the associated problem of mental illness and addiction.  Dealing effectively with the pockets of deprivation in the city is a priority.

I have a particular interest in the environment of the area.  I keep bees and am also actively involved in efforts to monitor the local wildlife.  Managing the environment sensibly to protect the natural beauty of the area in the face of development pressures is a key concern.  I do not however want to try to achieve this through persecution of car owners and other measures designed to force us back to the pre-industrial age.

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

There are very few SDP members in the Winchester area for now.  I am going to need help with leafletting and other activities needed to raise awareness of the party in the constituency.  If anyone wants to help, please contact me at [email protected].

If you want to know more about the party visit our website at https://sdp.org.uk/.

Already a Councillor on Hughenden Parish Council, Yvonne Wilding is the SDP prospective candidate for Mid Buckinghamshire.  We spoke with Yvonne about her decision to stand.

“I’m a pharmaceutical drug development consultant, essentially, I map out what needs to be done to check if new medicines work and are safe. I am a local Councillor and run a small business with my husband”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Yvonne Wilding, I live in Great Kingshill, Bucks and I am PPC for Mid Bucks. I’m a pharmaceutical drug development consultant, essentially, I map out what needs to be done to check if new medicines work and are safe. I am a local Councillor and run a small business with my husband who is retired. I have 3 grown up kids. Personal interests are nature, science, walks in countryside with 2 dogs. I belong to local environment and climate change group.

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

I decided to stand for SDP because I couldn’t contemplate voting for either of the 3 main parties as they do not represent my values. I searched the Internet for other parties and after some digging came across SDP. The values and the policies really resonate with what I believe is important for our nation. I have been a Tory voter for most of my life, but I have been disgusted by their apparent moral slide and lack of integrity.

“I have lived in mid Bucks for 12 years and it us a wonderful place full of fabulous people. I want to continue to protect all that is good here”

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

I have lived in mid Bucks for 12 years and it us a wonderful place full of fabulous people. I want to continue to protect all that is good here and avoid some of the monstrous things that councils have done in other parts of the country. I grew up in the North Midlands, so I know how easy it is to destroy towns and communities. My father was a coal miner – exploited by the mining industry and murdered by the tobacco industry. People matter. Communities matter.

“Housing needs to fit within the context of current properties, immigration needs careful control”

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

Mid Bucks is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. We need to preserve this whilst continuing to create employment opportunities and housing. These 2 aims are not incompatible. Housing needs to fit within the context of current properties, immigration needs careful control, we need to invest heavily in green industries which improve the environment and climate. Sustainability is important Industries should be carefully managed so they are carbon neutral, and their buildings are in keeping with the landscape.

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

I would encourage people to contact me at [email protected] and follow me on Facebook at SDP Mid Bucks Yvonne Wilding, and on Twitter @YvonneWilding.

You can also hear Yvonne on LBC telling why she won’t vote for the 3 main parties.

Adam Hibbert is the SDP prospective candidate for Sevenoaks.  We spoke with Adam about his decision to stand.

“I’m a Brexiteer from the Left tradition – frustrated at the way parliament proved incapable of living up to that result, and at Johnson’s failings over COVID”

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I’m a volunteer organiser for the Social Democratic Party in the South East region, married, two teenaged children, working full-time – not in a political career. I joined the SDP in February 2021.

What made you decide to stand for the SDP?

I’m a Brexiteer from the Left tradition – frustrated at the way parliament proved incapable of living up to that result, and at Johnson’s failings over COVID. Seven wasted years, and no end in sight. So, I resolved to stop spectating and get on the pitch.

The Social Democratic Party has a common-sense programme to turn the ship around. Our “social market” principles chart a centrist course very different to that of the LibDems, or Reform – one that understands Britain as our home, not as a business or a charity, putting family, community, and nation first.

“I believe it’s right and healthy for MPs to truly belong to the community they seek to represent. It’s all about bringing politics home”

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

I’ve lived here since 2012, raised my children here, following in the footsteps of my in-laws who raised both their daughters here through the 80s and 90s. I believe it’s right and healthy for MPs to truly belong to the community they seek to represent. It’s all about bringing politics home.

Sevenoaks bleeds blue if you cut it, but Tories were wiped-out in the local elections here in May, handing the town council to the LibDems. Why? Nothing to do with the local talent here – everything to do with voter fury at the national party’s political bankruptcy and administrative chaos.

We have a parachuted Cameron ‘talent’ here, in name at least, who I can’t hope to displace. But for one nation Tories, the politically homeless and Brexit-minded Labour voters, there has to be an option on the ballot paper that registers a coherent critique of the neoliberal Blob that she, the Labour Party and the LibDems now represent. This vote must send a clear signal to whichever combination of them happens to win, to put an end to their indifference towards British values and interests. A vote for the SDP does precisely that, like nothing else.

“I’m committed to rebalancing our education system, top to bottom, to support and empower those young people who are not university-fodder”

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

I don’t think it’s appropriate for parliamentary candidates to fight on issues that are more properly the domain of local democracy – we’re here to influence national policy. Where national policy affects local issues, such as housing, I would urge voters to refer to our policies at the website – we know how to tackle these issues, head-on.

One of my teens attended Hadlow College, and I’m committed to rebalancing our education system, top to bottom, to support and empower those young people who are not university-fodder. I will likewise champion small enterprises, farming, and light industries, here – for a more productive, less service-heavy economy. 

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

Above all else, we need additional members and candidates to step forward.  Go to  https://sdp.org.uk/ for our policies and follow the party at @SDPhq on Twitter.  Please do also contact me on twitter @adhib – I’ll advertise activities there as the campaign hots up.

Our South East Branch Coordinators are looking for constituency contacts across the region, from Oxfordshire via Hampshire across to Kent. You might be able to help us give your fellow constituents a decent option on your ballot paper, if you currently lack one.