INDEPENDENT Bexhill town councillor Nigel Jacklin has confirmed his intention to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming General Election.
Mr Jacklin has been the driving force behind the No to Northeye campaign, and he will be standing as an Independent Network candidate for the Bexhill and Battle constituency.
The seat is currently held by Conservative Huw Merriman who enjoyed a huge majority last time out.
Mr Jacklin has served as an Independent Network Bexhill town councillor for the St Mark’s ward since May last year and has been regularly in the spotlight for spearheading the No to Northeye campaign.
Mr Jacklin, who is a statistician and market researcher, says the focus of his campaign will include opposing Northeye and other issues such as safety, community, skills and employment.
His three-point statement says that local residents do not want the site to be used to house asylum seekers, that limits to be put on the size of the location and a budget equivalent of 15 per cent of the cost should be set aside to benefit the local community.
He said: “People have had enough of party politics. They just want elected representatives who actually represent them and this is what I will do.”
Mr Jacklin, who worked with the Financial Times for more than 30 years, added: “While I support the use of secure accommodation centres if they result in deportation and deter arrivals, we need them now, not in however long it takes the Home Office to make up its mind on Northeye.
“Local residents do not want a camp here. There is little or nothing in the Northeye proposals for local residents. When and where sites are proposed the Home Office seriously needs to improve communication with local communities.
“This needs to include use of hotels which should also be subject a change of use under planning laws.
“If the public can’t use them then they are no longer hotels.
“A local levy of 15 per cent of total costs should be imposed on sites and hotels. This money should be used to compensate locals who are most affected, improve infrastructure in the immediate vicinity and provide a positive fund for the wider community.”
