The biggest political turncoat in Britain?
Councillor, from South Tyneside, constantly changing colours
Please let me introduce Councillor Ian Proud, who represents the Denton ward on Newcastle City council I believe that he has featured in this blog somewhere in the past. Ian is originally from Jarrow and is a former work colleague of mine in South Shields, and I even photographed his wedding! I think he may now be described as a political chameleon, he changes his disguises at every election by the looks of it.
Having started his political journey as a member of the Conservative Party in Jarrow, he left South Tyneside to take up residence in Newcastle some years ago and from that point he has “re-invented” himself regularly, four years ago he was elected as a Lib-Dem, then he crossed the floor to the Labour Party, latterly he sat as an Independent, and now news reaches the Corner Shop that he has now joined UKIP!
No wonder he wears a coat of many colours - is he the best example of being Britain’s biggest political turncoat councillor? Do you know of any others with such a strong claim?
Update
Luke Akehurst has turned up a damned good challenger over at Bob Piper’s place
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What a shame his name isn’t Joseph Andhismulticoloureddreamcoat…
Comment by jailhouselawyer — April 4, 2008 @ 1:49 pm
Andrew Wragg, Stoke on Trent. Independant,Labour, people’s party,Potteries Alliance,Conservative/Independant alliance and now standing in this May’s elections as a Conservative.All within six years 2002-2008.
I claim this as Great Britain’s biggest turncoat.
Incidentally, each party he stands for, did well (for someone else) previously. In other words, he follows the vote.
Comment by Gary Elsby — April 5, 2008 @ 11:42 am
He was also a Labour activist in S Tyneside and Newcastle before he joined the Lib Dems
Comment by Inamicus — April 5, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
I would start by saying that I don’t know much about this specific case but does it matter about his lack of fidelity to anyone party?
Winston Churchill was a Liberal and a Conservative at various points during his political career.
Also, aren’t you being a bit nasty to someone who was clearly a friend of yours at some point (I’m assuming you photographed his wedding because you liked the guy).
Comment by Alex — April 7, 2008 @ 3:40 am
What about the Independent candidate for Cleadon Park?
Labour in the late 1990s
stood for the Hard left independents in Boldon in 2006
then left to support the Progressives in Harton in 2007
then left to join George Elsoms soft independents to stand in Cleadon Park in 2008
makes one wonder what party he will be in 2009….
…and before the wisecracks, his opponent Alex Donaldson being a former Tory is well documented - his was a journey on the road to Damascus - the Cleadon Park guy seems to be supporting any party that gives him a cuddle at any given time.
Comment by Iain Malcolm — April 7, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
Tim Perkins:
Labour
SDP
Lib Dem
Conservative
Pro European Conservative
Lib Dem
Progressive Conservative
Conservative
Possibly now UKIP
Comment by Steve Cooke — April 7, 2008 @ 8:53 pm
[...] The biggest political turncoat in Britain? [...]
Pingback by March review « Curly’s Corner Shop, the blog! — May 1, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
I think Churchill only changed party twice. He was originally a Tory, but he disagreed with the protectionist policies they adopted, and left to join the Liberals in 1904. He remained a Liberal until he lost his Dundee seat in 1922. He was elected Tory Mp for Epping in 1924. He realised that changing parties was risky and famously said “Anyone can rat, but it takes class to re-rat!” Whether Proud has class is open to question.
Today (2nd April) Proud was defeated trying to hold on to his seat as a UKIP candidate. He received 135 votes out of a total of 3435 votes cast, and came bottom of the poll out of five candidates.
Bill Schardt
Comment by Bill Schardt — May 2, 2008 @ 8:59 pm
[...] this story about Ian Proud, the South Tyneside man who has tasted six political flavours so [...]
Pingback by Proud to be last « Curly’s Corner Shop, the blog! — May 8, 2008 @ 7:12 pm
Ted Owen, former member of Stoke-on-Trent City Council (lost his seat May 200
Beats even Andrew Wragg
1995 Member of the Labour Party
1996 Stood as an Independent
1998 Stood for the ‘Stoke-on-Trent Alliance’ Party
1998 Set up the ‘Independent & Alliance’ Group
2002 Stood as an Independent
2003 Stood as a ‘No Party’ candidate
2004 Stood as an Independent
2006 Joined an alliance led by the Conservatives
2006 Joined the ‘Peoples Party’
2007 Set up the ‘Potteries Alliance’ Party
Comment by Martin James — May 12, 2008 @ 1:13 am