Welcome to UKIP Walsall and Wolverhampton
UKIP TO CONTEST BLOXWICH EAST BY-ELECTION
Friday, 23rd September 2011
Derek Bennett with his dog Tess
The Walsall UKIP branch has selected its branch chairman, Derek Bennett, as the official UK Independence Party candidate for the Bloxwich East by-election.
The election was called after the death of the long serving and well liked Councillor for the Ward, Bill Tweddle. At the time of writing it is not yet known how many candidates will be standing in the by-election to replace him.
Derek Bennett was the first candidate to hand in his nomination papers bright and early on Thursday 22nd September and is now officially the UKIP candidate. Long standing UKIP campaigner, Liz Hazell, has agreed to be his election agent.
During the local elections each year Alan Sheath is normally the UKIP candidate for Bloxwich East, however, last May was to be his last election due to family and other commitments, he feels he cannot give the time to stand in future elections, although he is still a committed, active and valued senior member of the Walsall UKIP branch and will be fully supporting Derek Bennett.
Derek Bennett, who has lived in Walsall since the age of thirteen, said: “I am very much looking forward to campaigning in Bloxwich East over the next few weeks, it is an area close to my heart due to it being part of Walsall North, which was the Parliamentary constituency where I stood for the Referendum Party in my very first election back in 1997.
“I have always found the people of Bloxwich to be very supportive and welcoming, it will be a pleasure to meet them on the doorstep to chat about the issues that matter to them.
“This by-election is the chance for the people of the ward to make a real difference to how Walsall and their part of Bloxwich is run. Sadly, if they elect a candidate from one of the tired old warn out political parties they will just get the same tired and worn out policies that have failed. Issues such as parking charges are important as they can make the difference whether local businesses survive and thrive or go under taking the employment and wealth they bring. Walsall Council’s current attitude to parking in the town is reckless and ignores the voices of both traders and the people, I have a job to understand how arrogant this is as they are our elected representatives but totally fail to listen to the people who elect them.” He warned.
Other local election policies UKIP have are to hold local referendums on issues that affect residents, to stand up and protect the Green Belt and to scrap hospital parking charges which are a tax on the sick. For a range of UKIP local policies visit: http://www.ukip.org/page/ukip-local-manifesto-2011
The by-election is to be held on Thursday 27th October 2011. If you want to give your support to Derek Bennett or contact him either send him an e-mail to: ukip-derek@hotmail.co.uk or telephone: 07813 153897.
