The major parties have announced their candidates for next month’s Carshalton Central by-election following the resignation of a councillor arrested on suspicion of fraud.
Liberal Democrat Alan Salter, 66, first elected in 2010, stepped down earlier this month amid a police investigation into “financial allegations”.
RELATED: Sutton councillor Alan Salter arrested after resigning over 'financial allegations'
Sutton Council’s Conservative opposition group and Ukip, buoyed by last week’s Brexit referendum result, will both be hoping to capitalise on Mr Salter’s departure in the July 28 by-election.
Bill Main-Ian, chairman of Ukip’s Sutton branch, is to contest the seat along with Tory Melissa Pearce, a civil engineering manager.
Melissa Pearce, the Conservative candidate in the Carshalton central byelection
Chris Williams, a recently retired teacher at Wallington Country Grammar School and former deputy head teacher at a school in Twickenham, will stand for the Lib Dems, who won all three seats in Carshalton central in 2014.
Both the Conservative and Ukip candidates highlighted the council’s sale of The Lodge in Carshalton to Ecolocal – a company linked to Carshalton and Wallington MP Tom Brake – for a discounted price of more than £1m as a local issue that could turn voters against the Lib Dems.
UKIP hopeful Bill Main-Ian set to contest the seat in the July 28 by-election
Mr Main-Ian, who stood for Parliament in Carshalton and Wallington last year, said: “It is absolutely essential that someone has the integrity and honesty to fight for a political environment free of the whiff and perception of cronyism, favours and corruption, one that is transparent and fair.
“We have one party dominating the political narrative, which has led to arrogance and wilful contempt for the residents of the borough.”
Mrs Pearce added: “I have become increasingly concerned by the lack of accountability of decisions taken by the Lib Dem Council, not least the selling of the Lodge in Carshalton Central for £1m under the estimated market value, at a time when cuts are being made to services.”
Chris Williams will stand for the Lib Dems
Mr Williams said his main priorities, if elected, would be fighting against the threat of funding cuts that could lead 11 pharmacies in the borough close and protecting green spaces.
He said: “Carshalton is such a special area and it is a real privilege to stand for election in the community I live in and have grown to love.
“I will be fighting this election to protect our local parks and heritage, get a better deal for local commuters and to send a clear message to the Tories that central government cuts to local services are unacceptable.”
Ross Hemingway, who stood for the Green Party in Carshalton and Wallington in the 2015 General Election, is to stand for the party in the by-election.
Green candidate, Ross Hemingway said it's time to "get serious" about air pollution
Mr Hemingway, who lives in Carshalton and works for the anti-poverty charity War on Want, said: “It’s time to shake up this arrogant and complacent Lib Dem-run council.
“For 30 years they’ve ruled the roost, but this current crop of councillors have stopped listening and forgotten who put them there.
“It’s time to get serious about tackling Sutton’s shocking air pollution and shameful recycling record, protecting our green open spaces and working toward a cleaner, greener, healthier borough.”
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