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Senior Tory backs independent against his own party’s candidate
KEMPSTON Conservatives have backed an independent candidate who is standing for election to Borough Hall - 18 months after she was expelled from the party, and despite the fact that she is standing against two party members.
Nicky Attenborough was kicked out of the Conservative Party in 2009, following public comments she made about the party’s mayoral campaign in 2009.
She is standing for election in Kempston Central and East ward against two Conservative candidates. But out of the ten people who have signed her nomination papers, nine have also signed the papers of one of her Conservative rivals for the seat - and the tenth person is the other Tory candidate.
James Valentine, one of two Labour candidates standing in Kempston Central and East, said he was “bemused”.
He added: “It seems bizarre. I’m reluctant to speculate why they are doing this, but perhaps the party hierarchy have insisted that the local party puts two candidates forward and the local party are not enthusiastic about doing so.”
Mrs Attenborough was first elected to the council in 1982, and has served for 21 years spread over three spells. She is also leader of Kempston Town Council.
When candidates stand for election their nomination must be signed by a proposer, a seconder, and eight assentors.
Mrs Attenborough’s proposer is Steve Collins, who is standing against her as a Conservative.
One of her assentors is Mark Smith, who was Mrs Attenborough’s deputy when she was leader of the Conservatives at Borough Hall.
And Mrs Attenborough has also acted as seconder for Robert Rigby - who is also standing against her in the seat as a Conservative.
Mrs Attenborough said: “I think people have signed my papers because I have been a councillor since 1982.
“In Kempston people vote for candidates they know and trust, and I don’t believe people have voted for me in the past because I was a Conservative.
“I hope that supporting me hasn’t caused any trouble for Mark Smith. I have known Mark for years and I would signed his nomination papers even if he was standing for the Monster Raving Loony Party.”
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Monday 28 May 2012
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