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Spalding man and ex-soldier Nigel Wickenden intends to run against MP Sir John Hayes for South Holland MP role




A Spalding man has announced his intention to run for MP at the next general election.

Former soldier and policeman Nigel Wickenden (72) believes a lack of trust in the Conservative Party means he stands a chance of taking MP Sir John Hayes’ position.

Mr Wickenden has coined himself an Independent politician, saying he will pick and choose policies he likes from different parties.

Nigel Wickenden has announced his intentions to run for MP
Nigel Wickenden has announced his intentions to run for MP

He first became a member of the Green Party a few years ago but left after becoming frustrated with their ‘lack of discipline’.

He then joined the Conservative Party, but again left upon the start of controversies surrounding then Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

“It seems to me that most of the political parties have some good points, but if you’re a party member you have to follow the party line,” Mr Wickenden said.

“As an Independent, you can cherry pick the good stuff and bin the bad stuff.”

He has established the early foundations for his campaign by setting up a Twitter account dedicated to his cause, and is also in the process of setting up a website.

Mr Wickenden, who served in the army for 13 years from 1967-1980, is also planning to create a podcast, a YouTube channel, and to establish a market stall to invite questions from voters.

The latest the next general election can be held is January 2025 - although there have been reports that new Prime Minister Liz Truss is considering holding one earlier.

Despite South Holland and The Deepings being one of the safest Tory seats in the country, Mr Wickenden believes he can persuade residents to change their vote.

“After what the Conservatives have been doing the last few years, I think they would,” he said.

“I’m learning. I know that to be successful you’ve got to get known.

“I’ll start off gently, talking to people I meet socially and explain what I’m doing.

“I’m not the sharpest knife in the tray, but I know right from wrong.”

Nigel Wickenden has outlined some of the key areas he would aim to tackle should he become MP.

  • Mr Wickenden says he is ‘very very green’, and is concerned about our constituency being close to sea level.

He wants to reduce pollution, and is supportive of renewable energy provided by solar power and wind farms. He is against nuclear energy.

  • He wants to look for increased funding for the NHS - as well as exploring alternative systems to find ‘the best value and outcomes for patients’.
  • He would aim to provide more money for people on lower incomes, saying he is ‘all for workers’ rights’.

“If you give rich people more money, they will save it and invest it. If you give poor people more money, they will spend it on clothing, homes, food, any stuff they can afford,” he said.

“So they will increase the economy, rather than rich folk not.”

  • As an ex-soldier, he wants to increase funding for the armed forces as well as increasing its size.
  • Mr Wickenden believes public transport should be ‘a public service and not a shareholder get rich scheme’.
  • He also wants to see us manufacture more food we consume in the district itself.

He says this could be done through the likes of precision fermentation and permaculture systems.

  • Mr Wickenden is against the first-past-the-post voting system. He believes there are better alternatives.

He does admit that he is still learning the ropes to politics.



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