Tri-Service

Ex-Soldier To Fight For Cameron’s Seat

A British Army veteran is to fight for David Cameron’s Witney and West Oxfordshire seat in the parliamentary by-election in October.

Kenrick 'Dickie' Bird is the candidate for UKIP in the by-election which was triggered after the former Prime Minister announced he was stepping down as an MP on September 12.

Mr Bird spent two decades with The Royal Green Jackets before becoming a college porter at Oxford University.

David Cameron stepped down on September 12

At the 2015 general election he came third for UKIP in nearby Banbury.

The contest was marred by accusations from the campaign group Hope Not Hate that the former soldier had allegedly made homophobic remarks on social media.

UKIP said they investigated the allegations and cleared him of wrongdoing.

After accepting the nomination Mr Bird said:

"I’m excited to have the opportunity to fight this seat on behalf of UKIP and local residents. I live in, and love, Oxfordshire. For 20 years I served in the Army as part of Oxfordshire's, local regiment, The Royal Green Jackets, now called The Rifles.”

"However, on leaving, I found the local council very unhelpful. This made me realise that in order to change things for people it is no good railing at the radio and TV and sitting back, instead I felt that I had to get involved and do something to make things better."

The favourite to win the seat is Conservative candidate Robert Courts, a 37-year-old barrister who has been selected to defend Cameron's 25,000 vote majority.

The full list of candidates in alphabetical order by surname is: