Stratford CAN not fighting seat, but urges others to ‘vote local’ and not for Conservative candidate Chris Clarkson
THE Stratford group which set out to become an alternative for conservative votes has not put forward a candidate for the general election.
Stratford CAN (Conservatives Alternative to Nadhim) was set up last autumn and campaigned to remove Nadhim Zahawi from the Stratford-on-Avon seat.
Its spokesperson, David Spencer, who resigned from the Stratford Conservative Association in protest at Mr Zahawi’s handling of his tax affairs, however, is not endorsing the new Conservative candidate for the Stratford seat, Chris Clarkson.
He said: “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 [Mr Zahawi] is obviously deeply disappointing, the blame for this lies squarely with CCHQ determination to protect sitting MPs, special advisors, and allies of prime minister Rishi Sunak, rather than place strong local Conservative candidates in the right seats.”
He added: “Penny-Anne O’Donnell should have been the Conservative candidate in Stratford, and it is disgraceful that she was not even shortlisted.”
Warwickshire county councillor Mrs O’Donnell had been tipped as a serious proposition locally, but in the end was short-listed in Solihull West and Shirley, where she failed to be picked.
Stratford CAN had threatened to field its own alternative candidate, but in the end declined, citing the lack of preparation time and the receipt of hate mail.
The group said: “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 CAN said they had faith that Stratford voters would still plump for a local MP.
“Stratford voters are not stupid, and we are confident that they will look at Mr 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.
“For those who prioritise removing the Conservatives and stopping Clarkson from parachuting in, a vote for Lib Dem candidate and Welford resident Manuela 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.”
They concluded: “Our advice to Labour voters is not to waste your vote on Labour in Stratford. The 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.”
