A CANDIDATE in the Gorton and Denton by-election says he would Advance the area’s standing in Parliament, if he is elected.
Nick Buckley MBE is standing for Advance UK, the party formed by ex- deputy leader of Reform UK Ben Habib.
High profile backers include Elon Musk, who declared his support by saying it will ‘actually drive change.’
And Mr Buckley has told The Correspondent how he will put an area he says he knows ‘like the back of my hand’ first.
In a statement, in which he states his five-point manifesto, he said: “You have been left behind and forgotten.
“This has been happening for decades and under all political parties. The message they have sent us is clear – YOU DO NOT MATTER. I happen to disagree.
“I have spent two decades fixing social problems across Denton and Gorton. I have lived there, worked there and have many family and friends in the area. I know it like the back of my hand!
“This is not a general election. The outcome will not change the country, but the right MP can change your neighbourhood and improve your life.
“My five-point plan for Gorton and Denton
“I promise a local inquiry into the rape gangs to find the truth
“IS IT still happening? How large a problem was it? Who knew about it? I will commission a trusted working group to report to me.
“We will present the findings to the police for action and to the public for transparency. I will personally name and shame all civil servants and politicians who did not do their duty.
“The truth is coming….
“I promise to fund with my MP salary a local anti-knife crime project
“I DON’T want to see one more child stabbed to death.
“If I cannot keep your children safe, what is the point of being your MP? I will fund a street-based project to engage with young people that takes knives off our streets.
“I promise to create a council incompetence and waste hotline
“AS A local man and former council manager, I have seen the complete lack of respect in how they treat our money.
“Decent council staff can report the failings anonymously and I will act. I will also make sure you know!
“I can’t fix the council, but I can embarrass them into fixing themselves.
“I promise a monthly crime and police public meeting to keep the police on track
“LET’S BE honest – many of us have given up on the police. It has become clear that their priorities are not our priorities.
“I promise a monthly meeting with senior police officers who will listen to what you have to say – they work for us!
“I promise 10 public meetings a year so you can hold me to account
“THE LEAST I can do is to stand in front of you and explain myself for I am a public servant – not your master or overlord. I work for you – too many politicians have forgotten this.
Waiting until another election for you to have your say is not good enough.”
Mr Buckley is one of 11 candidates standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
The full list is:
Nick Buckley (Advance UK)
Charlotte Cadden (Conservative Party)
Dan Clarke (Libertarian Party)
Matt Goodwin (Reform UK)
Sebastian Moore (Social Democratic Party)
Joseph O’Meachair (Rejoin EU Party)
Jackie Pearcey (Liberal Democrats)
Hannah Spencer (Green Party)
Angeliki Stogia (Labour Party)
Sir Oink a Lot (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)
Hugo Wils (Communist League)