Stratford CAN: Candidate Statement
Stratford CAN is confirming today that, reluctantly, we will not be running a candidate in the upcoming General Election. This is not a decision we have reached lightly.
Stratford CAN was set up to remove our previous neglectful, absentee MP, Nadhim Zahawi. We were delighted when he stood down as the official Conservative candidate last month.
While the decision of the Stratford Conservatives to nominate a chicken-run MP from Greater Manchester with a shocking track record in Parliament to replace him is obviously deeply disappointing, the blame for this lies squarely with CCHQ determination to protect sitting MPs, SpAd’s, and allies of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, rather than place strong local Conservative candidates in the right seats.
Penny Ann O’Donnell should have been the Conservative candidate in Stratford, and it is disgraceful that she was not even shortlisted.
Stratford voters are not stupid though and we are confident that they will look at Clarkson’s lack of local interest and his appalling record over his five years as an MP in Heywood and Middleton and place their vote elsewhere.
Sadly, we will not be able to offer them the option of a Stratford CANdidate. We were geared up to run a summer campaign focused on key local issues. The snap election has scuppered this plan.
Despite seeking to run an independent local campaign, Stratford CAN has also received some fairly unpleasant anonymous hate mail. We make no assumptions over the sources, but inevitably this has discouraged some potential candidates from running.
Stratford voters will have a number of candidates, both local and parachuted in, from across the political divide to choose from.
For those who prioritise removing the Conservatives and stopping Clarkson from parachuting in, a vote for Lib Dem candidate and Welford resident Manuella Perteghella is your best choice.
For those who want to vote for a right-wing MP, Reform candidate and local resident James Croker is probably your best bet.
For those who prioritise environmental issues, Sherron Marie-Louise Guise is running for the Green Party.
Our advice to Labour voters is not to waste your vote on Labour in Stratford. Your party barely even campaigns here and while a Labour government seems locked in at this stage, there is no prospect of Labour winning here in Stratford. If you want to make your vote count, vote strategically.
Stratford CAN will still be publishing a Manifesto for Stratford – highlighting the policy goals that the next MP for Stratford should be focusing on.
This is not the end of Stratford CAN – we will continue to scrutinise the work of our future MP, whoever that may be, and all the elected officials in Stratford to ensure they continue to work hard for local voters.
And we do not rule out running candidates in future elections.