I used to be a Conservative. I haven’t hidden my past in this regard at all. Yes, I was a Conservative. I chose to resign my party membership because the party had changed to a point where I could no longer support it. It’s another example of me standing by my principles. What is utterly bizarre about this observation from Clayton Payne is that he stood as a Conservative Party candidate in 2023. Click on this link and scroll down to the result for Parson Drove and Wisbech St Mary Ward for proof.
Supermarketgate. The other issue raised is the ‘supermarketgate’ fiasco in Whittlesey. Let me be clear, I am proud of my role in that sorry episode. I stood up for what I believed in and what I thought was right for the residents of Whittlesey, despite huge political pressure for me to do otherwise. One result of this was that I was sacked as vice-chairman of planning. In fact, I was originally asked to resign and when I was told the reason the leader wanted me to resign was ‘community concerns’, I refused to do so, choosing to be sacked in order for there to be a public debate about the issue. I had huge support from Whittlesey residents at the time and I know many of them remember how I stood up for what I believed to be right.
There is an important point here, I have said that two reasons I am standing is to deal with some issues around the toxic behaviour of some Conservative Councillors and to make a strong case for Whittlesey. My role in the ‘supermarketgate’ fiasco only serves to show that I am robust enough and strong enough to do exactly what I say. It is a reason to vote for me, not to doubt me.
I could write a lot more about the leaflet, but I will finish worth this. I don’t hide from my past, I have no reason to, I am proud of it. Like anybody that wants to achieve anything, I have made mistakes, but I believe my past record for Whittlesey is positive. The school where the Workers Party candidate did his teacher training in received a massive upgrade partly thanks to my efforts. Kings Dyke Bridge is there partly thanks to my efforts. The fact that I have achieved things and stood up for Whittlesey means that I have been in the press a fair amount – and that means people can be selective and misinterpret the past. I hope in 3 years time, Fenland District Council will be on its way to being a much, much better council partly thanks to my efforts. If that happens, I will appear in the press again and someone will inevitably interpret those events for their personal advantage, but that can only happen if you vote for me.
Thanks for your support.
