Candidate Interview: Stephen Morris (English Democrats)
Stephen Morris of the English Democrats, pictured as he handed in his nomination papers at Oldham Council's offices yesterday. (picture: Stuart Coleman Photography)
The English Democrats’ candidate in the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election has said integrity and honesty are the main focus of his campaign.
Stephen Morris also told Saddleworth News he felt he’d be able to offer “more of an independent” outlook if elected as our MP, because he wouldn’t be “tied” to one of the main parties.
The party was formed in 2002, as Mr Morris explained, to “look after England” in light of devolution. He said he was opposed to Scottish and Welsh MPs voting on English matters in the House of Commons: “The way we look at it is having an English Parliament looking after English affairs, and then a separate area looking after UK issues like the environment or defence. And it can work.”
On tackling the deficit, Mr Morris said: “Everybody’s having to make cuts, we’re having to lose school programmes and transport programmes. And yet we then go and give £500m extra per year to Europe, and £7bn to Ireland for their bailout, and we increase overseas aid.”
He continued: “Isn’t our priority to our young people and our children, to actually invest in their future? If there’s anything left over in the pot then we can put it somewhere else. But we have to look after people here. You can’t say you’ve got to make cuts, with massive job losses, and then give money to other parts of the world.”
Mr Morris was critical of both the current and previous governments. He said the coalition was “rushing” into making cuts, but added: “We’re in this state because Labour was spending money they hadn’t got. It’s common household budgeting. You can’t spend more than what you’ve got coming in.”
The by-election was called after former Labour MP Phil Woolas was stripped of his victory in May’s general election for lying about Liberal Democrat Elwyn Watkins in campaign leaflets. Mr Morris said: “He shouldn’t have done it… the electorate’s had 13 years of people saying one thing and doing another.”
Mr Morris is now based in Bury, but previously worked in retail as a store manager on Yorkshire Street in Oldham for eight years. He said he grew to love our area during that time, and explained: “You’ve got not just the town but you’ve got the countryside as well, and you’ve got a good mix of people with that, a good mix of views… but Oldham doesn’t sell itself, I don’t believe the current politicians have been doing enough.”
Mr Morris now works in public transport, and is an official of the Unite union. I interviewed him at a coffee shop in Oldham yesterday, just after he’d handed in his nomination papers at the Civic Centre. We also talked about Metrolink and the railways, the impact of the new Tesco at Greenfield, and the scandal over MPs’ expenses.
You can listen to the interview in full by downloading it from here.
Nominations for the by-election close tomorrow, and that’s also the deadline if you want to register to vote, or apply for a postal vote. Polling day is 13 January.
The candidates we know about so far are, in alphabetical order, Labour’s Debbie Abrahams, Kashif Ali for the Conservatives, Peter Allen of the Greens, Nick “The Flying Brick” Delves from the Monster Raving Loony Party, the Pirate Party UK’s Loz Kaye, UKIP’s Paul Nuttall, and Liberal Democrat Elwyn Watkins. The BNP are also likely to stand, although it’s not clear who their candidate will be. Saddleworth News intends to interview each of them during the campaign.
For full coverage of the by-election so far from Saddleworth News, click here.
The picture of Stephen Morris was taken by Diggle-based photographer Stuart Coleman of Stuart Coleman Photography. You can see more of Stuart’s work at his website here.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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It is about time people of Oldham started thinking out of the box. We have seen the labour Liberal and Conservatives bring us to ruin and an independent representation of the people in Oldham may be just what we need. Stephen Morris shoots from the hip with honest ammunition and what he says here concerning the fiscal arrangements with regard to the government and cuts makes a lot of common sense. he has my vote that is for sure. as the rest are all in bed with each other in parliament and dont care about the electorate unless it is lying to us at polling time. Lets at least get a voice back for the local people here and this is our best bet.
I certainly agree – particularly in local and parish elections – Party politics has let Saddleworth down and it is time to shake the system up.
Not sure about the English Democrats – need to take a good look at what they have done where they have elected Mayors and councillors.
I was going to vote Green as a protest vote if Labour put up a duffer for a candidate – but I was impressed by Debbie Abrahams when I met her.
I’m really keen to have more women in local politics – it’s too much of a bully boys playground at the moment.She does seem to have a strong independent streak and thank god she isn’t a New Labour Clone or a local councillor trying to ascent the greasy pole.
So with three weeks to go until I finally make up my mind in the voting booth I think Debbie has the edge.
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Speaking as a woman I would have thought it would be about the best person for the job not about their gender Cllr Hulme? We have been down that path of previous equality issues. I want the best person to give me the best service and if a monkey can do better than what we have now than so be it. Have you met any of the other candidates? Wish we all had that luxury.
I was glad that Debbie Abrahams was selected as a candidate without the aid of an ‘all women shortlist’ – I share a lot of people’s reservations about those.
But goodness Ruby don’t you think that we are long overdue to have a woman MP.
It can only be good for the way local politics are conducted.
No Cllr Hulme, I believe in the best person for the job and not someone that has been selected because of either gender religion or colour just to suit the needs of the party. Having said that I also believe in equality for all.
But surely Ruby when over 50% of the population are women – by the simple law of averages there ought to be more women MP’s and more women holding top positions throughout our society.
Why do people assume men are naturally better or superior to women and should automatically occupy the top positions.
I have met and talked to Debbie, Kashif and Elwyn – had a chat with Peter Allen from the Greens and I hope to meet up soon with Loz from the Pirate Party for a coffee and a chat.
Debbie isn’t some sort of token woman. In my view – of the three main contenders both she and Kashif would be better at the job of being a local MP than Elwyn.
Putting national politics to one side – it does matter to me as an Independent Parish Councillor that we have a good hard working constituency MP – one who will listen to all points of view and will stand up for Saddleworth even if it means ruffling a few party bosses feathers.
Both Debbie and Kashif seem to fit the bill. Elwyn patently doesn’t.
When you add national politics to the equation – for me that gives Debbie the edge.
But if Labour had put up a new labour clone, a token women or a careerist local councillor climbing further up the greasy pole I wouldn’t consider supporting them.
I’m glad to say I don’t think Debbie is any of those – I hope you get the chance to meet her and to make up your own mind.
I have never said or assumed men are superior to women in any way shape or form, regardless of the make up of the country. I still believe in the best person for the job.
Debbie was chosen because of her religion and gender so this would get the more votes to stop the problems they would have had with other candidates coming from 2 separate Muslim communities. In my view either of them would have been a better choice.
Kashif works pro-bono to keep failed asylum seekers in this country, this is not in line with Conservative party policy, So with Kashif what would we actually be voting for?
Either way none of the main 3 will now get my vote, as none of them can be trusted. Your comments don’t seem to have anything to do with the candidate above.
Its refreshing to now have a different choice other than the main 3. Hopefully I will get the chance to question the others that I am considering voting for. Will they all be at any hustings event does anyone know?
Blimey Ruby you’ve made a lot of pretty wild assertions there.
Were you at the selection meeting(s) that chose Debbie ? I wasn’t of course so I can’t dispute what you say if were actually at the meetings and were privy to the discussions that took place.
You’re right I haven’t said anything about the candidate being interviewed – frankly he doesn’t make much of an impression with me.
What I have said is all searchable on the internet Ken.
I think this is very clear cut, we have a massive deficit and yet our government choose to hand money to the EU, where are the priorities? shouldnt we be investing in OUR future ….the children, or do people think we should be upping our aid handouts, paying child benefit to workers who do not have to prove they even have children ???? why is it that i cannot have free prescriptions? why cant i have free hospital parking, why is my children will have to be in debt simply to better themselves in university? – why is it that so many people out there are so affraid to be English before being british. Ask a scotsman he will tell you he is scottish before he is british, same for the welsh ( as i am ) however with this in mind i realise that i now live in ENGLAND and i need to consentrate on whats best for ENGLAND. – Its a long time coming but thank god we now have the option to vote for a party like the English Democrats ! finally i real choice, a real voice and a real opportunity !
Another wasted vote