Veteran independent councillor announces bid to become Kettering's next MP
A well-known veteran councillor who was first elected in 1985 is having a second go at becoming Kettering’s next MP.
Jim Hakewill will be on the ballot when the nation goes to the polls in a General Election on July 4, five years after coming fourth last time he stood.
The Braybrooke resident, 70, said he believes people need someone who will speak out for them as an independent.
He said: “I absolutely love this area, where I have spent most of my life. I think we certainly need an MP of a different political persuasion to the leadership of North Northamptonshire Council (NNC).
"We really do need better scrutiny of what’s going on and I think the people of Kettering need someone independent they can rely on to speak out.”
Cllr Hakewill was a Conservative for many years, standing in the General Election in Derbyshire in 2001 and then leading Kettering Borough Council, until he had the whip removed after a fallout in 2018.
He currently represents the Rothwell and Mawsley ward on NNC as an independent and has consistently spoken out against a plan to turn a Rothwell green space into a traveller site.
He said: "I could not be more proud of the 1,642 people who voted independent for the first time ever at the 2019 General Election. I would love to double that this time. I would love to win.
"I am confident that there are a lot of people who are fed up of the ‘same old’ and just want to put their confidence in someone who day in, day out speaks out and wants the best for everyone.”