Penarthian to contest parliamentary seat (From Penarth Times)

Penarthian to contest parliamentary seat

8:20am Saturday 20th February 2010 in Latest news

A PENARTH man outraged at the MPs expenses scandal will stand at the next general election.

George Burke, 58, says a lack of ‘honesty, decency and trust’ are the main reasons he has decided to set up a political party to stand for the Cardiff South and Penarth seat.

Mr Burke, who has lived in Penarth for 33 years with his wife Karen, says he wants to represent ‘ordinary people’.

The father-of-three met with officials from the Electoral Commision this week to start the process of creating his new party.

He said: “Most people I speak to are crying out for common sense, honesty, respect, rights and responsibilities to be brought back to politics and public life.

“It is now time for the ordinary man to speak out and speak up for others.

“It’s about time our elected leaders listened to the people.”

The move comes after revelations over MPs expenses.

Alun Michael, the current MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, was ordered to pay back £19,169.56 in claims following a report by Sir Thomas Legg.

The audit of claims, dating back to 2004, recommended 390 MPs should repay a total of £1.3m.

A date has not yet been set for a general election but it is thought voters will go to the polls in May.

Mr Burke, who works in Cardiff as general manager for Age Concern Cymru, added: “Most ordinary folk have good and decent values, and are honourable and respectful people.

“The people of Cardiff South and Penarth deserve someone to represent values such as honesty, decency and trust."

For more information contact George on 029 2070 2550 or email: GeorgeBurkeCSP@googlemail.com.

Declared candidates for the Cardiff South and Penarth seat are: Alun Michael (Labour) Simon Hoare (Conservative) Dominic Hannigan (Liberal Democrat) Farida Aslam (Plaid Cymru)