Like millions of Brits, I’m sick to the back teeth of rotten politics
John Wood is the Green Party candidate for Keighley and Ilkley 🗳️
When we considered interviewing the parliamentary candidates for Keighley and Ilkley, we thought about doing something similar to what we did with the mayoral election, our first-ever piece. But the more we thought about it, the more we found ourselves leaning towards a simple Q&A. No editorial. No analysis. (Which is our thing.)
Instead, we thought it better, this time around, to keep it simple with a Q&A – ask a question and see how they all respond. We also saw it as an opportunity for you to hear directly from them at length, which isn’t always the case during an election campaign.
Most were done by email. Time was short, for all. One was done in person (which is always much more preferable). We tended to ask all the candidates a similar set of questions with a few more targeted ones. And that’s it aside from a few copy tweaks (typos, missing words, etc). We hope you find it helpful as we enter the final week of the campaign.
Final note, the order of the candidates is random and, at the time of writing, we have yet to hear back at all from Robbie Moore, the Conservative candidate, while Andrew Judson, who is backed by Reform UK, who was up for a Q&A, hasn’t got back to us since before the launch of his party’s “contract”.
Update (Wednesday 26 June, 11.35am): Judson has been in touch and should be responding to our Q&A.
What do you do outside of politics?
I’m a family carer for an elderly relative who has dementia. I felt that the elderly are neglected under this current system and felt compelled to step in as a result of a failing system.
How historic is this general election?
The two-party system is rotten to the core and a contrived affair of baton passing from team A to team B, both working for the same elitist group of people. So there is nothing historic in terms of groundbreaking policy.
Keir Starmer will win. And when he does, he and his government will continue asset stripping and privatising everything – more notably the NHS. Not forgetting he will continue the enabling of tax evasion or avoidance, depriving the infrastructure and public services of much-needed investment, and allowing those parasites to gorge on the treasury funds, then stashing those ill-gotten gains offshore, never to see the light of day in the British economy, ever again.
How has Robbie Moore fared as an MP?
I think Robbie is typical of a conservative politician: full of promise and delivering nothing of value for the electorate in Keighley and the surrounding areas.
Will Labour get into Number 10?
Of course – the media will make sure of it. And if they don't, I'm certain it will still happen somehow.
Why do you want to be MP for Keighley and Ilkley?
Like millions of Brits, I’m sick to the back teeth of rotten politics and realise there needs to be people in politics who really want to make a difference and actually represent the constituents.
What are the key issues in the area and how are you looking to overcome them?
Social care is something I'm passionate about. We all know that the elderly have been thrown on the rubbish heap and left to rot. As far as the current government is concerned, they’re useless. Given that people are living longer, I’m sure this is troublesome for the government and its pension deficit. It means its cronies can't get their greedy mitts on all the loot.
It also troubles me that there is little investment in improving rail services and getting more vehicles off the roads. More should be done for safer cycling, too.
Antisocial behaviour is something that also needs to be addressed – prevention work is a policy area of the Green Party and an area we could make a real difference in.
Finally, I’m not happy about the water pollution in Ilkley. It needs to be addressed immediately.
What does Keighley and Ilkley mean to you?
I have lived in both towns and in the district of Bradford all my life, so it means a great deal to me to be nominated to stand and represent a constituency where I feel I could make a positive impact.
How will you be a strong MP for the constituency?
By being actively involved in projects that matter to the constituents and supporting their needs first.
(Voter question) Why did the Green Party not select active local councillors – like Ros Brown or Caroline Whitaker – as parliamentary candidates? Why did they go with an unknown from Bradford instead?
I’m not aware that either of the councillors put themselves forward for nomination. If they had, the outcome of selection could have been different.
Historically, Green Party candidates have not been serious MP contenders in Keighley and Ilkley – why are you hopeful that this time things will be different?
With social media, people are learning all the time about the political process and the 'shenanigans' which are taking place in politics. They have become disgruntled by the failings of the Labour party under the current leadership, a party which once represented the interests of working men and women of this nation. To now abandon them in their hour of need and cosy up top money – it’s a stomp on the head.
In contrast, the Greens – especially under the current co-leadership of Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay – have come up with a magnificent manifesto that basically aligns with the values of the 95% of the nation who feel they're no longer represented.
The Green Party might have, in the past, had the stigma of being the party of the ‘tree hugger’, but that isn’t true anymore – although, of course, we are sincerely committed to climate issues and coming up with sustainable alternatives.
You might have noticed 'sustainable' is something you won't hear pursed from the lips of Sir Keir Starmer or any of his shadow cabinet. They are only interested in promising 'growth' – something which is bizarre on a planet which has its finite resources over exploited.
Have the Greens done a deal with Labour to remain silent in this election? Since Ros won Ilkley, the local party has deactivated their social media and I have not seen one leaflet from them in this campaign. Then, I read that their candidate doesn't even turn up to the hustings. What do you say to this? (Voter question)
I’m not aware of any deal with Labour. I sincerely hope it's not the case and believe it not to be. I currently do not have a candidate page on social media. Unless you have a decent budget to constantly pay to promote, which is not available to me, then it's hardly going to get any traction. For that reason, I will use other methods of communication on social media.
I have received only one invite to a hustings event, which I was unable to attend due to the short notice and prior commitment. For missing that evening, I can only apologise. If any other invites are mailed to me, I'd be more than happy to attend.
What are the main issues in Keighley and Ilkley respectively and how are you going to address them?
Keighley has its problems, without a doubt: cultural, crime, poverty, social and mental health and most of all the NHS. Investment in the local economy is something that needs to happen and good transport and commuter links are essential (improving rail travel and parking).
There are a couple of growing issues in Ilkley: water pollution and the NHS. With the latter, there are concerns that need to be addressed, which are obvious to the ageing population that will depend on this vital healthcare service, which we were once so proud of. It’s part of my campaigning and I will speak up about it if elected.
Keighley and Ilkley are very different in many ways – how do you deal with that fact?
Be versatile and understand what matters most to the constituents.
How much support have you received so far from local voters?
The ones I have met have offered overwhelming support. The same is true of the many people I have liaised with via email.
Is there an appetite for politics beyond the two main parties?
Very much so. As you can imagine, the other parties are picking up on local and national problems that are not being addressed, which is clearly a failing by the Conservatives and Labour. In fact, I'd go so far as to say they are disastrous.
What's your message for voters heading to the polls in July?
Don't let 14 years of failure disillusion your trust in politics. There are those of us who are passionate about wanting to bring about change for the better and will hold the main parties to account where possible and restore that trust.
What are your views on climate change?
More needs to be done to move away from fossil fuel reliance. There are plenty of sustainable options to explore.
Five years from now, what would you like to have achieved?
Reform of social care. There is little support or funding for this sector, especially for the elderly. After all, it should be extremely important to us all – sooner or later we’ll be old ourselves and I’m sure we want a system that is fully functioning and providing the best possible care.
How would your friends and family describe you?
A man of the people … just kidding! I'm sure they'd say I’m serious but humorous, a person of great empathy who would go out of his way to help others.
What do you like to do beyond politics?
When I get time, I like to do nerdy things like go stare at buildings. I have a background in building, and architecture pleases me. I also work out at the gym and believe it’s necessary to preserve the body and stay as healthy as I possibly can. I also like coffee and have been known to drink a cup or two. Also, I have a young dog who requires a lot of exercise, so I get in a few miles walking every day (when it's not throwing it down).
Will England to win the Euros?
Did I mention, I worked at Gareth Southgate's house a few years ago, when I lived in Burley in Wharfedale? It was for a gardening service company at the time. I didn't meet him in person but the person I was sub-contracting to told me he was a fantastic individual and very capable – which has shown during his tenure in charge. If anybody can bring it home, he will.