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 [email protected]
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/
