Eddie McDonald is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Corby and East Northamptonshire. We spoke with Eddie about his decision to stand.
“I’ve watched with alarm and disbelief as we were betrayed and democracy ignored by weak politicians, on Brexit and many other issues. Our political leaders no longer represent the citizen”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello, I am Eddie McDonald, the Reform UK PPC for Corby and East Northamptonshire. I’m 58, 8 years ago I retired from the Police, having served 30 years, throughout Northamptonshire and in almost every Role, with the exception of Traffic and Firearms. I am married, my wife is a teacher and we have 4 children, all of whom were educated in Corby. I have no previous political memberships, and I’m certain that I’m not dissimilar to many in my constituency.
“waiting for someone else to do it. I had been encouraged by Reform UK and their position on the economy, immigration and what I’d call, many common sense decisions, and put myself forward as a candidate”
What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?
I campaigned for Brexit in 2016, as I believe that Brexit is in the best interests of the UK. I still do. I hear so many say that Brexit was a failure, etc, but my response is that we haven’t had the Brexit that 17.4million voted for, because we have been betrayed by our politicians.
I’ve watched with alarm and disbelief as we were betrayed and democracy ignored by weak politicians, on Brexit and many other issues. Our political leaders no longer represent the citizen and there’s a huge disconnect with me and everyone that I know. It appears that corruption and self interest are the new politics, and for me that isn’t acceptable.
My wife, I think, had enough of me shouting at the telly and suggested that I do something myself, rather than waiting for someone else to do it. I had been encouraged by Reform UK and their position on the economy, immigration and what I’d call, many common sense decisions, and put myself forward as a candidate.
As far as the other parties are concerned, it is my opinion that the Conservatives were no longer conservative or Unionist in their actions or speech. Labour, has deviated from the old Labour principles, they no longer represent or connect with the British worker and are more concerned with minority interests, rather than the needs of the majority. Both parties have sold out to interests and voices other than their electorate. As someone who believes in duty and service to others, this is anathema to me.
You’re the Spokesman for Corby and East Northamptonshire what’s made you decide to represent this area?
I moved to Northamptonshire in 1976, when my father left the Army. I live in the constituency, work here and raised our children here. It makes sense to have someone local represent their neighbours, after all I’m one of them.
“Corby needs employers who create employment for local people, ideally skilled jobs with secure futures. The area is ideally positioned with great transport networks, but its road surfaces are poorly maintained by the local councils”
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?
The economy is the priority, without a thriving economy, its very difficult to introduce the necessary changes. Encouraging economic growth, stimulates growth in jobs, money in the pocket, improved infrastructure, and overall public satisfaction. Corby, lost a lot of well paid, secure jobs, and its identity with the demise of the steelworks. Corby needs employers who create employment for local people, ideally skilled jobs with secure futures. The area is ideally positioned with great transport networks, but its road surfaces are poorly maintained by the local councils. these need urgently improved.
I would pursue Reform UK policy on growing our industrial strength and security, encouraging the increased output and reliance on our once mighty steel industry, rather than imported steel. I would champion the improvement in our local road networks and push for the introduction of improved cross county road access.
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?
I can be contacted via my FB page, Reform UK Corby and East Northamptonshire or my email [email protected].
