Rory O’Brien is the Reform UK prospective candidate for Spelthorne. We spoke with Rory about his decision to stand.
“2021 Surrey County Council elections, with a 4% share of votes. Subsequently, for Sunbury Common in the 2022 by-election for Spelthorne Council, with a 7% share of votes. And most recently, in the 2023 Local Election for Sunbury Common, with a continued increase to 11% share of votes.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
I was born in Sligo, Eire to Anglo-Irish parents, and settled in the UK in the late 1970’s. Growing up and schooled in South Harrow, North-West London, in a loving single-parent household with two older siblings.
I’ve been lucky to work and experience many sectors over the years including hospitality, property, accounting and project management. My career has now evolved to become an Agile Coach for an Integrated Energy Company, supporting project teams to improve their collaboration and outcomes.
I moved to the Spelthorne area in 2007, initially living in Ashford Common and now living in Sunbury, with my wife Sandra and two children.
What made you stand for Reform UK?
My first involvement in politics was as part of the grass-roots campaign team, for the Brexit Party in Spelthorne, in the lead up to the 2019 General Election. Spelthorne has long been a Conservative stronghold and the decision to stand down Brexit Party candidates in Tory held seats, left me feeling politically homeless in the 2019 General election. Unable to align myself with any of the “remaining” candidates on the ballot paper, I jokingly promised then to stand myself as an Independent in the next election. As exercising your right to vote is fundamental, “The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.” (John Lewis, late civil rights activist), and I’d at least have a candidate I could align with.
However, it was the draconian measures of Covid 19 lockdowns and the dangerous groupthink emanating from All parties in Westminster, that spurred me into direct action. Firstly, standing for Sunbury Common & Ashford Common in the 2021 Surrey County Council elections, with a 4% share of votes. Subsequently, for Sunbury Common in the 2022 by-election for Spelthorne Council, with a 7% share of votes. And most recently, in the 2023 Local Election for Sunbury Common, with a continued increase to 11% share of votes.
“By his own admissions, Mr. Kwarteng confirmed scrapping the expansion plans of Heathrow was an identifiable divergence between Labour and Conservative policies, irrespective of the benefits to the UK”
You’re the Spokesperson for Spelthorne, what’s made you decide to represent this area?
I had hoped things would’ve improved but having looked deeper into our malfunctioning institutions and processes, my only conclusion is reforms are essential.
I attended a meeting of the ‘Back Heathrow’ campaign at the Spelthorne Council offices in 2023, also in attendance and support was our current Conservative MP, Kwasi Kwarteng.
During this meeting, the ‘Back Heathrow’ team shared a summary of the last 20 years, since decisions were made to expand Heathrow in 2001, with their aims to increase the number of flights, creating more jobs, boosting the UK’s economy and maintaining Heathrow’s stance as a hub airport against European competition.
In January 2009, the Labour Government backed Heathrow’s expansion. However, by May 2010 with the incoming coalition Government of Conservatives-Liberal Democrats, (including the assumption to office for Spelthorne of, Kwasi Kwarteng) the expansion was cancelled. By his own admissions, Mr. Kwarteng confirmed scrapping the expansion plans of Heathrow was an identifiable divergence between Labour and Conservative policies, irrespective of the benefits to the UK.
By comparison in 2005, Germany saw the major capital expenditure project to expand Frankfurt International Airport begin. Which included an additional fourth runway and third passenger terminal, a project that garnered support across the Bundestag (German Parliament).
How was it possible for Germany to deliver the benefits of such a major project and the UK still unable to place a shovel in the ground? Although Frankfurt airports expansion wasn’t uncontested (with regular protests from opposition groups). It was ultimately through consensus of the major political parties collaborating. This was aided through the Germans use of AMS (Additional Members System) of Proportional Representation (PR), resulting in less combative and more collaborative, coalition government rule.
When I put the question to Kwasi Kwarteng, how the UK’s FPTP (First Past the Post) system fails the UK with passing major, multi-decade infrastructure projects. In typical deflecting, self-preservation style, the response was for opposition parties to join his newfound supportive stance of, backing the Heathrow expansion plan.
When I look back to Nick Clegg’s speech in 2010, dismissing any nuclear power expansion program as benefits of additional capacity wouldn’t be realised until 2021. The un-mitigating disaster of HS2 and nonchalance from the UK Government on the closures of the Rough Gas storage facility. These may all have elements of hindsight; However, the short-termism of government and its decision-making process, have also had significant impacts.
“I’m standing for Reform UK because I’ve had enough of the mediocre representation and duopoly of politics, that has led us to where we are today.”
What do you see as the big concerns for the constituency and what issues do you hope to champion?
As alluded to already, Heathrow airport is a huge primary and secondary provider of jobs and opportunities for the area.
However, the continued anti-driver rhetoric and cash cow policies of ULEZ expansions to include Heathrow airport, have a direct impact on small and medium sized enterprises in the constituency. Spelthorne borders the three London Boroughs of Hounslow, Richmond upon Thames and Kingston upon Thames, impacting it’s residents and businesses alike.
Primarily the big concerns are focused on the National level, as these filter down and impact locally. You should always watch what a politician does and not be distracted by what they say. The ULEZ expansion plan was triggered by Grant Shapps, (then Transport Secretary) in a memo to the Mayor’s Office, as a condition for further financial support to TfL. Hence, we hear dissent from the Conservatives regarding ULEZ expansion, but see no actions taken.
The UK Energy Bill 2023 was passed with the worrying additional clauses for provisions of fines up to £15,000, or 12-months imprisonment for failures of home owners to meet energy performance regulations, and granting public functions enforcement rights to enter properties, under such energy performance regulations. With clear government overstep, one would’ve hoped for some level of opposition from the other benches. The Bill passed largely unopposed (280 for – 19 against), with Labour MP’s abstaining from the vote.
I’m standing for Reform UK because I’ve had enough of the mediocre representation and duopoly of politics, that has led us to where we are today. Firmly believing in a return to the values of ‘small government’, providing over-sight whilst promoting free expression, freedom of movement, freedom of choice, and free-market principles.
For those eager to help, how can they get involved in the campaign?
If you are fed up too, please get involved, join us, volunteer and help us campaign.
I can be reached on email; [email protected] and you can follow my progress on Twitter/X https://twitter.com/SunburyUk/.
