John Gager is the Reform UK Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Tunbridge Wells. We spoke with John about his decision to stand.
“They trounced over our rights, tried to criminalise us for peacefully protesting, used behavioural psychology against the people to manipulate and scare them. They tried to mandate vaccinations on people – unforgiveable”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is John Gager. I am 44 years old. I have lived in the Paddock Wood / Capel area near Tunbridge Wells for 12 years now. I am divorced, have a daughter just finishing Year 7 of school and two stepdaughters who are now adults – one at university and the other working full-time in the NHS care sector.
I currently work as an IT support tech for a small IT service provider based near Tonbridge, supporting local businesses and charities. I have worked in the IT industry for around 20 years, both in an employed and self-employed capacity.
Away from work I love sport and am a regular gym goer – one of my proudest personal achievements is losing nearly 6 stone in weight over the past 6 years through just sheer willpower and self-motivation. I also confess to being a bit of a geek (hence the career choice) so enjoy tinkering with tech at home.
“these politicians need to be replaced by people who love our country, customs and freedoms”
What made you decide to stand for Reform UK?
I am not a politician, activist or campaigner. Those things have never really interested me. Until the Brexit Referendum I did not pay too much attention to current affairs, however I was becoming more aware of mass migration affecting access to public services and jobs and how much control the EU seemed to have over our government.
I was really surprised how biased and visceral the mainstream media and most politicians were towards leaving the EU, despite it being to me the obvious choice to protect the sovereignty of our country and stop uncontrolled immigration. Then following the referendum result, my surprise turned to disgust as “the establishment” did everything in their power to thwart the decision of a democratic vote our country had made.
The theme of “the establishment” (government, all the major political parties, the mainstream media) seeking to act against the best interests of our country and people has continued since then.
Lockdowns were the final straw for me – the first one I can probably accept albeit being too long, but every other lockdown and non-sensical diktat enforced on us by Government since that point has been an absolute disgrace. They trounced over our rights, tried to criminalise us for peacefully protesting, used behavioural psychology against the people to manipulate and scare them. They tried to mandate vaccinations on people – unforgiveable, especially given recent history.
No one should ever forget that it wasn’t just the Tory Government doing this, all the other parties in parliament and the mainstream media wanted more of this – sooner, harder and longer.
I can never forget that and how it impacted my daughter. This is why I am standing; these politicians need to be replaced by people who love our country, customs and freedoms.
“Tunbridge Wells has been a Conservative seat for nearly 20 years, but in this coming election they are completely unelectable”
You’re the Spokesman for Tunbridge Wells what’s made you decide to represent this area?
Tunbridge Wells is the area I live in, and over the years it has really grown on me. This part of the country is beautiful – lovely countryside, quaint villages and Tunbridge Wells itself has great potential to be a thriving, attractive town that people can be very proud of.
Tunbridge Wells has been a Conservative seat for nearly 20 years, but in this coming election they are completely unelectable. The people here need a candidate and party to vote for with true small “c” conservative values, wanting to put Britain first.
“the majority held Lib Dem council will want to implement LTNs and other anti-car measures”
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?
We have several looming issues that challenge Tunbridge Wells.
Demand for living accommodation is increasing forcing house prices to become unaffordable. There has been a housebuilding frenzy in the villages surrounding Tunbridge Wells with nowhere near enough infrastructure being put in place to support it, which the local plan is meant to secure during planning applications before approval.
Population increase is also beginning to clog up major roads into Tunbridge Wells, while the majority held Lib Dem council will want to implement LTNs and other anti-car measures.
Crime and anti-social behaviour appear to be on the rise. We love our police force and need to do more to help them be more effective and present on our streets.
The expensive and illogical madness that are Climate Change policies are here too. Inefficient and environmentally questionable solar farms are appearing across the constituency, and the council are pushing ahead with converting public buildings to “carbon neutral”.
I will endeavour to highlight these issues and apply pressure on the relevant parties so that more sensible decisions are made that will benefit our constituents and not continue to harm them. I also pledge to conduct myself with honesty and integrity, no more of the spin we are all sick of hearing.
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?
For those wishing to contact me, you can email me at [email protected]. Please also follow and share my social media channels, including Facebook, X/Twitter and other which can be found here https://linktr.ee/reformuk.twells.
