UKIP chooses Julien Parrott to fight for Torbay seat (redux)

By PRSD, on Thursday, December 17, 2009

In our story, Shock selection of Julien Parrott to stand for UKIP in Torbay – oh, wait, he was the only candidate! UKIP tell us they were feeling a little hard done by – he specially chosen for the role rather than having to go through the hustings process – and asked us the print the ‘truth‘. Here’s their press release anyway, with a piece from former UKIP Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Torbay, Julie Harrison

In June 2009, the UK Independence Party (UKIP) swept past the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats in the European Elections in Torbay. The victory in Torbay was by the largest margin in the whole of the South West. Following this, UKIP in Torbay believes that by putting up a credible local candidate, it can do the same in the forthcoming general election, and is delighted to announce that Julien Parrott has been selected as its Prospective Parliamentary Candidate to fight for the seat.

Julien’s selection was announced at a press conference held in Torquay, where he was introduced by William, Earl of Dartmouth, MEP (UKIP).

In taking up the challenge to win for UKIP, Julien said: “The next election will be fought in a completely different way from the past. Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems are all happy to have given away our democratic rights and the sovereignty of our parliament, but people want them back.

“I am proud to represent a party that is truly democratic. UKIP is the only party that will fight for individuals to have a voice. What we need is MPs who will haunt the corridors, lobbies and debating chamber at Westminster to remind members of other parties of their broken promises and deceit.”

Julien Parrott is currently a serving independent councillor on Torbay Council representing the Ellacombe ward in Torquay, a role that he will continue to fulfil prior to the general election.

On Julien’s candidacy, Graham Booth, ex-UKIP MEP in the South West, said: “As an independent councillor on Torbay Council, Julien has gained a reputation for working relentlessly for the good of the Bay and its residents.

“I am delighted that he has decided to stand for UKIP in Torbay at the next General Election. With his focused attitude I know that he will put the future of British citizens and of our country ahead of any personal ambitions. With Julien elected as an MP in Westminster , hopefully alongside many other UKIP candidates, I can see the chances of Britain leaving the EU and regaining its sovereignty and independence becoming a distinct possibility.”

• Julie Harrison (former Torbay UKIP PPC)
For a long time the workings of the EU and the legislation it passes took up a huge amount of my time and I couldn’t think of anything that would stop me.

However, on the August 28 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and not being the type of person to sit back and accept what “official” people tell me, I started on a mission to discover the best course of action for me, to ensure I would be around when we regain control of our country! I thought the EU had taken up a lot of my time but now I have an even stronger motive and something has to give.

Part of me didn’t want to let UKIP down but I have to put my health first and when I heard that Julien was interested in replacing me I was very pleased.

Julien is well known and respected throughout the Bay and will be a first class candidate. I have no doubt he will be UKIP’s first elected MP – especially if you consider how well we did in the European Elections in June, beating all the other parties in Torbay by a long margin. The tide has now turned and I wish Julien every success in the fight ahead.

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(image: UKIP logo by Damian64pic used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License)