A seventh candidate has entered the race to be the next MP for North East Cambridgeshire following the closure of nominations.
Local councillor David Patrick has declared he will be standing as an independent in the General Election on July 4.
His entry into the fray is not the only change following Friday’s deadline for nominations. Michael Roberts, who was previously said to be standing for the Social Democratic Party is no longer a candidate.
However, Clayton Payne has also joined the line-up of would-be MPs and is standing for the Workers Party of Britain – the party led by George Galloway.
David, who is an independent councillor on both Wisbech Town and Fenland District Councillor representing Wisbech, Walsoken and Waterlees has been involved in local politics for the past 14 years.
He joined the other six candidates who had already put their names in the hat before the close of nominations on Friday (7).
David, who is married to Susan and has four children and 13 grandchildren, said: “After some serious consideration, I have decided to stand as an independent. It is time for change.
“If elected as an independent I can make decisions that will affect everyone and will ensure I will vote in the House of Commons for what is in your interests rather than service a political party or being whipped to vote the way they want.
“Too many decisions have been made by our MP that have had a serious negative impact on people’s live. Independents always put the interests of the electorate first as they will always answer directly to you.”
David, who has previously represented the Liberal Democrats and UKIP as well as being an independent, is Wisbech-born and has lived in the area for most of his life.
He works as a home-school taxi driver and has been in the trade for close to 30 years.
He is a volunteer at Walsoken Village Hall and has been involved with campaign group Wisbech Without Incineration (WisWIN) since its inception.
David promises that if elected he will work to stop the planned Wisbech incinerator from being built.
But says the election is not just about issues facing Wisbech.
He said: “Rural transport, housing, roads, and social deprivation, and especially the NHS waitlist, and lack of doctors’ appointments are real issues across the constituency and yet years of Conservative Government, both locally and nationally, have done little to nothing to improve these.
“As an independent MP, I will use my knowledge to influence the Government to bring real change and improvements to this area.”
Michael Roberts who was
Other candidates standing for election are: incumbent Steve Barclay, who has represented the area for the Conservatives since May 2010, David Chalmers Liberal Democrats, Andrew Crawford Green Party, Christopher Thornhill for Reform UK, Javeria Hussain for Labour, and Clayton Payne Workers Party of Britain.
