North Shropshire by-election: Meet the candidates standing to win seat

On Thursday voters across North Shropshire will be going to the polls to decide who should be their next MP.

The North Shropshire by-election has been called after previous incumbent, Owen Paterson, resigned in early November.

The former Conservative minister quit after an investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Kathryn Stone, found he repeatedly lobbied ministers and officials on behalf of two companies for which he was acting as a paid consultant - Randox, and Lynn's Country Foods.

Despite strenuously denying any wrongdoing, the Commons Standards Committee said Mr Paterson's actions were an "egregious" breach of the rules on paid advocacy by MPs and recommended that he should be suspended for 30 sitting days.

He then resigned after the Government U-turned on controversial plans to overhaul the disciplinary process for MPs and review his alleged breach, after widespread outrage at the proposals.

Now, 14 candidates are looking to replace Mr Paterson, who had been MP since 1997.

North Shropshire by-election candidates

Suzie Akers Smith, Independent

Andrea Allen, Ukip

Ukip's Andrea Allen says she wants to offer people a chance to "vote for something different," adding: "I stand for sensible, middle-of-the-road policies – small state, low tax, personal responsibility, value for money (the government doesn’t have any money, only taxpayers’ money, and has a responsibility to spend it wisely), support for the family, an energy policy that won’t put the lights out and leave people unable to heat their homes, freedom of speech, managed immigration and above all, an intention to make the most of the opportunities afforded by a real Brexit."

When asked by the Shropshire Star about issues she sees affecting the constituency, she put housing, the NHS, roads, the transport system, welfare and schools due to failure to protect the nation's borders on her list.

Ms Allen, who came third in the 2015 General Election when she contested the seat, is a former teacher who has taught foreign languages in the area for 25 years. She says MPs should have had a real-world job before being elected.

Boris Been-Bunged, Rejoin EU Party

The pro-Europe Rejoin EU Party has put forward Boris Johnson impersonator Drew Galdron, running under the name Boris Been-Bunged, in this year's by-election.

"Clearly the biggest national issue is the right to have Christmas parties, and if elected I will make sure one is held in this constituency every week," he said when answering questions from the Shropshire Star.

Given the furore of Owen Paterson's lobbying scandal, the Boris Johnson lookalike added: "It is a total disgrace for MPs to have just two jobs, if elected I aim to break the record by having at least 10. And yes, lazy good-for nothing MPs that can only manage two jobs should be out on their ear."

Martin Daubney, The Reclaim Party

Reclaim candidate Martin Daubney says he will remain Deputy Leader of the party founded by actor Laurence Fox, and Editorial Director of our media channel, Reclaim The Media, if elected. Mr Daubney, a journalist of 27 years and former Brexit Party MEP, says this will "signal-boost the constituency and the voters’ needs to a global audience of millions".

Like other candidates, health is at the top of Mr Daubney's agenda when answering Shropshire Star questions, saying: "I will open the Oswestry ambulance station on day one of my election. We will find a way, even if I have to raise the money myself. We need fresh, bold thinking to cut through the grease and broken promises."

Criticising the existing Government, Mr Daubney says "Tory hypocrisy" is the biggest national issue set to affect North Shropshire.

"Central government makes huge promises to North Shropshire, and delivers nothing – putting all of their money instead into Red Wall seats. They drone on about “protecting our NHS”, at the same time as closing the ambulance station in Oswestry.

"People stop me in the street and tell me every day about how they’ve lost loved ones due to unforgivable long waiting times. This has to stop."

Russell Dean, The Party Party

Monaco-based Party Party candidate Russell Dean says he will move back to Shropshire if elected on Thursday.

He says the aim of his party is to "try and engage the younger generation to take a more active role in politics and their future".

When answering questions from the Shropshire Star, Mr Dean said he would like the constituency to receive support from Westminster: "I think the farming community will need more support following Brexit and the move to the Sustainable Farming Initiative.

"We will also need to support all local independent businesses in our towns and high streets in the coming years."

James Elliot, Heritage Party

Another candidate with health down as the main priority is the Heritage Party's James Elliot.

Mr Elliot, who represents the right-wing, Eurosceptic party, says he would "strive to introduce additional strategically placed ambulance stations, in order to dramatically decrease waiting times", in response to questions from the Shropshire Star.

He added: "I would also fight for changes to the way GPs are paid, giving them a clear message that people who want to be seen, must be seen."

When asked about problems facing the constituency and plans to solve them, Mr Elliot said: "Perhaps the biggest problem this nation has is MPs who make policy without the correct insight. I believe it's the job of local people and businesses to decide what changes need to be made, and for their representative to take those concerns into parliament."

Howling Laud Hope, The Official Monster Raving Loony Party

Monster Raving Loony Party leader Howling Laud Hope is a familiar face in UK elections.

He's been standing for more than 20 years in constituencies around the country, and will now make his colourful appearance in North Shropshire.

"The biggest national issue is to keep everybody smiling and happy, dancing in the street and having fun, with no worries," he told the Shropshire Star.

Lord Hope also hopes people will turn out to vote, saying: "Also a national issue is that the biggest political party in GB isn’t Conservative, Labour or Liberal. It's those that don’t vote at all, so if you don’t usually vote, then vote unusually, vote for me. Vote Loony. Let's all do it together!"

Earl Jesse, Freedom Alliance The Real Alternative

Freedom Alliance The Real Alternative candidate describes the Government's current approach to vaccine passports as "turning the UK into a dictatorship, not a democracy".

He wants to promote freedom of choice, telling the Shropshire Star he'd like to: "Support the creation a mass of individual-centred small communities that thrive by helping each other. Switch the focus from large national companies to small independent businesses. Decentralising power from London."

When asked by the Shropshire Star about the area's strengths, he said: "Its powerful loyal collective with a vibrant blend of personalities. The strong tradition of small and medium sized independent businesses including farms."

Mr Jesse believes MPs' earnings from second jobs could be capped at 10 per cent of their main earnings. If elected he will not take up a second job, but will continue to teach martial arts and self-defence.

Yolande Kenward, Independent (no picture submitted)

Duncan Kerr, Green Party

After missing the 2019 election, Duncan Kerr is running again for the Green Party, having contested the seat in 2015 and 2017.

He became Shropshire Council's first Green Party member in 2016, three years after being elected onto Oswestry Town Council.

When asked by the Shropshire Star about the biggest national issue he sees affecting the constituency, Councillor Kerr said: "The depletion of our health and care services; improving and diversifying our economy; improving connectivity by better bus services and dedicated cycle ways; building more affordable homes; insulating our houses to reduce fuel bills and carbon emissions."

"Helping our farming industries adapt to a changing climate and developing the market for the fabulous foods and products made in North Shropshire."

He also says North Shropshire has been "neglected" with money "flowing out of our communities and into Shrewsbury and other surrounding larger towns".

Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat candidate Helen Morgan is fighting her second election in two years in North Shropshire, having finished third in the 2019 contest.

Answering questions from the Shropshire Star, she highlighted support for the NHS, improving public transport and ensuring farmers in the area are not undercut as three key areas.

"In North Shropshire our local health services have been completely neglected, our local farmers have been let down and our public transport system is just not fit for purpose," she said.

Our farmers have been let down by this Government, they need a local voice that will fight their corner and back British farmers.

People across North Shropshire are stranded if they don’t have a car, because of our patchy, underfunded public transport system. As the next MP, I would work with the council, to improve our public transport system and connect people who have been isolated."

Neil Shastri-Hurst, Conservative Party

The Conservatives have chosen Dr Neil Shasrti-Hurst as their candidate to replace Owen Paterson.

Dr Shasrti-Hurst, a Birmingham-based barrister and former NHS surgeon who trained at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital in Oswestry, has said improving local healthcare is top of his priorities.

Answering questions from the Shropshire Star, he explained his other main aims:

"Health is of course central to my plan but so is improving the infrastructure to make daily life better – whether that’s greater broadband roll-out, improving the state of our roads, backing road improvements like the Pant-Llanymynech bypass and the dualling of the A5 and restoring mainline rail services to Oswestry," he said.

"Plus of course championing our small independent businesses, shops and of course farms."

Kirsty Walmsley, Reform UK

Reform UK's Kirsty Walmsley, who used to be a caseworker by long-serving Tory MP Owen Paterson, was the first candidate to launch her by-election campaign.

Mrs Walmsley, who became elected onto the now-defunct Oswestry Town Council at the age of 21 - says she is standing for the former Brexit Party because it has a policy where its leader would not tell MPs how to vote.

"I will always put the interests of our community ahead of party politics. Do not underestimate what I will be able to achieve," she said.

"I will fight for better healthcare, lower energy bills and zero waiting lists."

Mrs Walmsley also wants more support for small and medium-sized businesses in North Shropshire, adding: "We would scrap business rates and put a small tax on online deliveries."

Ben Wood, Labour

Oswestry-born Ben Wood has been flying the flag for Labour over the last few weeks after being chosen ahead of long-standing candidate Graeme Currie.

Like other candidates, he too has said health is a priority, singling out the ambulance service and the reversal of recent ambulance station closures as his first aim.

Mr Wood wants to "put forward a fresh and exciting new plan for our towns and villages", saying: "That means bringing new railway station, dualling the A5, reopening leisure facilities such as swimming pools, and fighting to bring good quality and high-skilled jobs to our towns."

He also sees social care as the biggest national issue set to affect North Shropshire, adding: "In towns like Ellesmere, Wem and Market Drayton, there aren’t many pensioners who have £172,000 at hand to pay for the government’s residential home fees, which means these new rules have been drawn up by people with well-paid second jobs who have no idea about the lives of people in towns and villages in North Shropshire."

Voting takes place throughout the day on Thursday, December 16, with ballot papers being counted during the night at Shrewsbury Sports Village.