UKIP’s candidate for MP in South Holland and The Deepings is confident of ousting John Hayes at the General Election in May.
David Parsons claims to have heard enough during his walkabouts in the constituency so far to suggest that – even given Mr Hayes’ 21,880 majority at the last General Election – he could be heading for Westminster after May 7.
Mr Parsons (64) said: “John Hayes had a massive majority in 2010, but that was a different world. If I can get the reception I do in towns and villages of South Holland, if I were John Hayes, I would be worried.”
The former Conservative, who lives in Leicestershire, has been to Spalding, Holbeach and Long Sutton so far on the campaign trail.
He said: “I’ve found people to be incredibly receptive to UKIP’s argument and I’ve been almost waylaid with people saying they agree with the UKIP message that we need to control the number of people coming in [to the country].
“I have never known such keenness.”
Mr Parsons – a former leader of Leicestershire County Council, who was caught up in an expenses repayment row before his selection as a Prospective Parliamentary Candidate here – has welcomed the local UKIP group’s desire to attract foreign nationals to stand in this year’s South Holland District Council elections.
He said: “It’s the 200,000 [EU migrants] illegally domiciled in the UK that I’d like to see addressed. I suspect quite a few are in South Holland and The Deepings and the only way we can do that is by securing our borders.
“If there are guys who are legally domiciled here we need to hear their voice and I think Paul’s [Foyster, UKIP local group chairman] call for candidates is a good one.
“I was leader of Leicestershire County Council for a long time. In Leicester itself there is a huge variety [of communities] – mostly Asian and it’s quite a happy place.
“Provided they are here legally, it’s all of our calling to incorporate these guys.”
Mr Parsons plans to invite UKIP leader Nigel Farage to the constituency before May.
He added: “I think we can look forward to a visit. This seat is in the top 30 most likely to go to UKIP.
“You only have to look at the results for UKIP in the Euro elections. The challenge is to transfer that into a Westminster seat.
“Nevertheless, the people of South Holland have shown that they are willing to vote UKIP.
“There are two UKIP county councilors from here and I think we will do incredibly well in the district council election.”
Health and education are high on Mr Parsons’ agenda for action.
He was “perturbed” by Lincolnshire hospital A&E departments four-hour target results and encouraged by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s response to his letter.
He also plans to look at local schools “to see if there are problems with numbers”.
The ex-grammar school pupil added: “I have heard of the reputation of local grammar schools. We also have to have a good stystem for pupils who are not taught in grammar schools.”
Mr Parsons lives with wife Liz in Kirby Muxloe. He has three grown-up children and five grandchildren.
He runs Cor Nobile, a company which tries to facilitate the bringing of brownfield sites back into use.
A chemistry graduate, he comes from a farming family and likes to keep involved with that industry.
