The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Pete Williams, outside The Punchbowl pub where he is landlord.
Spalding pub landlord Pete Williams could become the first UKIP member on South Holland District Council.
The owner of The Punchbowl in New Road is planning to stand for election in a Spalding ward next May – but won’t say which one at this stage.
Mr Williams said: “I’ve not decided yet that I’ll definitely stand but if I do that’s probably where I shall be [UKIP].
“It’s not a long-held ambition at all – it’s never been an ambition to be honest. I’m far too busy with work and playing golf but sometimes you just have to stand up and do something.
“I just enjoy doing something for other people and at the moment I see lots of people with nothing being done for them. I do feel that some people are not represented very well.”
Mr Williams said he actually doesn’t believe party politics should play a part at district council level, but it is a national problem.
He added: “I’d like to see the people on the street have a voice and not just the big businesses and banks. This will be my contribution, miniscule though it might be. If enough people stand together we might get change.”
Conservative candidate Harry Drury
Spalding resident Harry Drury will be standing for election again for the Conservatives, which is the council’s ruling group.
The 27-year-old director of a local business said: “I stood four years ago in the previous election in St John’s ward and lost by a small minority to an Independent.
“I certainly think a part of that was down to my age and inexperience.
“Since then I’ve been involved in a lot of community-based projects and feel that now is a good time to stand again.”
Mr Drury will say next week which ward he will be standing in.
Fellow Tory Jack McLean (20) has declared he is standing in St John’s ward.
