Michael Roberts is the SDP prospective candidate for North East Cambridgeshire. We spoke with Michael about his decision to stand.
“As a self-described man ‘of the Left’, I have become increasingly uneasy with the Lefts’ seeming abandonment of the working class”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
I was born in Croydon but grew up in Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. I’ve been interested in politics since I was a kid and would (and still do) describe myself as ‘of the Left’. I studied as a mature(ish) student at the University of York, where I secured a First Class BA in Politics. I subsequently did an MA in Legal & Political Theory at UCL. I did have a place to do a PhD at UCL, but this was cut short when I had a double pulmonary embolism. I’ve been on a slow road to recovery since.
I have done a range of jobs in Project and Programme Management, mostly for government departments/agencies e.g. Home Office, Foreign Office, British Council. I worked at the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York for two months, and even spent an hour, or so, at No. 10.
I’m a long-suffering West Ham fan and an amateur songwriter. I’m moved from Hitchin in Hertfordshire to March in Cambridgeshire seven years ago, to be closer to my parents.
“Contrary to the media characterisation of an unwashed bigoted mass, the British people are some of the most tolerant, generous, and peaceable people on Earth”
What made you decide to stand for the SDP?
As a self-described man ‘of the Left’, I have become increasingly uneasy with the Lefts’ seeming abandonment of the working class and with ‘so called’ progressives’ hostility toward hard-won Enlightenment freedoms, e.g. freedom of speech.
The post-Brexit vote reaction vividly exposed the palpable contempt that the ‘main’ parties have for the concerns of the British people. Contrary to the media characterisation of an unwashed bigoted mass, the British people are some of the most tolerant, generous, and peaceable people on Earth.
Given our (thus far unexploited) post-Brexit independence, the UK governing apparatus needs to put the British people at the centre of policy making, to include a radical (relatively speaking) social democratic agenda. I believe that as a patriotic, traditional, and economically left-leaning party, the SDP is ideally positioned to address these concerns. Rather than complaining from the side lines, I decided to stand for the SDP to support this endeavour.
“There is a desperate need for more social housing (and housing more generally) in the region. The solution is mind-bendingly obvious, even if it has eluded our leaders over the past decades – a substantial house building programme”
You’re the Spokesman for North East Cambridgeshire what’s made you decide to represent this area?
I’ve lived in the area for the last seven years (and in the region for most of my life). Most of the UK has been suffering over the last few years, but a lack of investment with an older ailing population has seen this area decimated. I’d like to do whatever I can to reverse this trend.
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?
There is a desperate need for more social housing (and housing more generally) in the region. The solution is mind-bendingly obvious, even if it has eluded our leaders over the past decades – a substantial house building programme.
Many constituents are really struggling with energy/fuel costs and the commuter population are similarly afflicted with eye-watering train ticket prices. The SDP proposes the nationalisation of natural monopolies, and energy/transport are perhaps the most urgent.
This part of the country is particularly affected by and concerned with the massive flows of immigration in the last few years. The government has no excuse for this: since leaving the byzantine clutches of the EU – this is a choice. Most people don’t want to see a complete cessation, but they want to see the pace slow substantially. We need to re-skill our native population – especially in healthcare roles.
I am deeply opposed to radical gender ideology and inflamed identity politics more broadly. Many are not aware of these alarming trends, but that is changing rapidly.
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?
Firstly, spread the word about the SDP; the aims in the ‘new declaration’ are closely aligned to the concerns of most. You can also follow the party on X/Twitter at @SDPhq.
If anyone wishes to help with my campaign, please get in touch via email at [email protected] or on X/Twitter @MikeRobertsSDP, or on Facebook at Michael Roberts.
Lastly if you can contribute I have a Crowdfunding site at https://www.givesendgo.com/GC6GE.