Wyre Forest PPC Selected

THE son of Kidderminster’s “singing dustman” has been selected as the UK independence Party’s next parliamentary hopeful for Wyre Forest.

Michael Wrench, 40, of Kidderminster, said he was “delighted” to be chosen and would be “working closely” with Tony Baker, branch chairman, on “a number of issues” that UKIP wanted to tackle, including the closure of Kidderminster Hospital’s A&E.

Mr Wrench, who served four years in the army and was posted in Germany with the Royal Signals, is the son of Eddie Wrench, who worked as a refuse collector for Wyre Forest District Council and was once featured on regional television after his unconventional singing act began attracting huge numbers of fans in district pubs.

He said: "My dad sang in many of the area’s pubs and was well liked by all. He was such a cheerful chap, he often featured in the local press because he was always happy and smiling."

Since leaving the army in 1994, Mr Wrench continued to work as a civilian in security for the army in Germany until 1998, when he moved into IT. Mr Wrench said: "Everyone thinks that just because I am in UKIP I am anti-European, which is not the case. I am anti the European Union, which is undermining our British democracy.

“I am out to prove that UKIP has developed into far more than a single issue party and will be campaigning on a number of issues." He added he was also concerned about how the global downturn will affect what remains of Kidderminster’s carpet industry and the jobs of its workers.

UKIP PPC LAUNCHES PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS AND ANNOUNCES LOCAL LITTER- PICK

On Sunday 25th January at North Walsham Community Centre, Stephen Scott-Fawcett, UKIP prospective Westminster candidate for North Norfolk, launched a series of public meetings to be held around the constituency in the coming months.

The purpose of the meetings is to generate dialogue with local people about the issues that really matter. It will also be a fact-finding tour and an opportunity for UKIP to explain its views on the European Union as well as to highlight its policies on major national issues such as education, defence, energy and taxation. Norfolk-born Cambridge graduate Stephen Scott-Fawcett is a Chartered Surveyor by profession and adventurer by hobby. He is a recognised expert on polar matters and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

At the North Walsham meeting Scott-Fawcett was joined by UKIP District Councillor and local businessman, Michael Baker who gave an address on UKIP’s current education policy. Also with them was Norfolk farmer Stuart Agnew, who gave a presentation on how Brussels overrides Westminster. Both Baker and Agnew are UKIP prospective candidates (East of England Region) for the European Elections in June 2009.

Scott-Fawcett challenged sitting MP, Norman Lamb, regarding his position on British membership of the EU: "Norman stated back in 2007 that he believed the EU should be more democratic, more accountable and more decentralised. Such words sound good but where is the evidence it is actually happening? Once the Lisbon Treaty is finally squeezed through, the EU will be even less accountable and even more centralised!"

Focusing on North Walsham, Stephen Scott-Fawcett highlighted some of the major issues facing the town – its poor road and path infrastructure, its poor policing, the loss of retail and industry, the debate over relocating Paston College and the litter problem. He announced affirmative action on the latter. “There will be a Litter Picking Action Day in North Walsham on 8th February. Anyone who would like to join me, should meet in the Market Square at 2pm, in suitable clothes and gloves.” Norwich@ukip.org to get involved.