Controversial preacher to stand for UKIP at general election

[dutchman]

UKIP are set to parachute controversial ‘pop preacher’ George Hargreaves into Coventry as their parliamentary candidate for the Coventry South seat.



The Telegraph has learned that original candidate Mark Taylor, who had been democratically selected by the local membership over a year ago, has moved aside after he was asked to step down by party bosses.

It is understood UKIP want to introduce Rev Hargreaves to contest the seat which had the smallest majority in Coventry at the 2010 general election as Labour’s Jim Cunningham won by 3,854.

Rev Hargreaves made his fortune in the 1980s pop industry penning hits such as ‘So Macho’ for singer Sinitta. He later told The Times that he used the money generated by the gay anthem to fund a campaign with a heavily anti-gay message during his election campaign while standing for the Scottish Christian Party during the Scottish Parliament elections in 2007.

He also founded the Welsh Christian Party to stand in the Welsh Assembly elections in 2007. During that time he campaigned for the dragon to be removed from the Welsh flag describing it as “nothing less than the sign of Satan”.

Mr Taylor said he was disappointed to be asked to stand down, but said he would remain loyal to the party.

The education worker also recently stood down as chairman of Coventry UKIP in order to focus on the election.

He said: “The party rules allow this to happen. I’m struggling with it, but I have agreed to it.

“I could have said no, but I have decided to step aside. I will still be running in the local elections but I’m disappointed, there’s no doubt about it.”

He added: “I’m genuinely surprised at what has been done. I don’t know why they chose me to step aside.

“I’m going to stay loyal, I’m not going to walk away from UKIP over this.”

Rev Hargreaves, 57, is of Trinidadian descent but grew up in Islington, London. He was educated at King’s College London and the University of Oxford.

In 2004 he founded East London Christian Choir independent school, in Hackney, which taught pupils creationism was fact rather than evolution.

He stood for Operation Christian Vote in a by-election in Birmingham in 2004, but took just 90 votes.

And during the 2010 general election he stood in Barking but took just one per cent of the vote.

[dutchman]

UKIP scraps General Election plan to bring in candidate from outside Coventy

UKIP’s plan to parachute ‘pop preacher’ George Hargreaves into Coventry to stand as one of its General Election candidates has been scrapped after widespread criticism.

National party bosses had removed locally elected Coventry South candidate Mark Taylor and party members were briefed that this was to make way for the Rev Hargreaves, writer of Sinitta’s 1980s gay anthem ‘So Macho’.

But, after widespread public criticism and at least one UKIP candidate for the local council elections standing down as a result of the move, Mr Taylor has now been reinstated by UKIP.

Mr Taylor said he was delighted to have been asked to stand again, but described the past few weeks as an “unnecessary distraction”.

He said: “I was originally disappointed at being asked to stand aside. But in the last few days I received a phone call and was asked to restand and I said yes.

“I’m pleased because I was initially frustrated at being asked to stand aside by the national party HQ’s candidate team. The support, particularly from the local branch, was heartwarming.

“It’s an unnecessary distraction and I’m a little bit frustrated, we could have done without this. But I’m pleased that I am now back in and I can continue with this campaign.”

Colin Stubbs, chairman of Coventry UKIP, also welcomed the decision to reinstate Mr Taylor.

He said: “This has not been handled in the best way. The decision to reinstate Mark is right and proper and shows that head office does listen eventually.

“I don’t know how this happened, but we are a growing political party and perhaps we have people in place who are overworked.

“I don’t know how George Hargreaves got involved with the party or how he was chosen. But we will put this behind us and the pressure now is on the elections.”

West Midlands MEP, James Carver, said: “I’m delighted to confirm that Mark Taylor is, and indeed was, our PPC for this constituency.

“However during private negotiations about this seat in recent weeks, the fact that he stood aside at the request of the party, shows the measure of the man.

“Mark has been a hardworking and loyal servant to both Coventry and UKIP for many years and will be an excellent representative for the city.”

[rebbonk]

Need to make their minds up!

[dutchman]

I doubt it really matters who the candidate is. If someone is voting for UKIP they're effectively voting for 'Nigel' since no one's heard of anyone else in the party.

[rebbonk]

"Be careful what you wish for!" - Never have truer words been spoken!