Dear Labour Supporter

I have sat next to your candidate, Dan Bewley, in a number of public meetings. He is intelligent, articulate, and can often recall numbers accurately from your manifesto. However, he was not selected by the local party and does not know Bath. The experience of running for office will benefit him in his communications (PR) job. Having been out of university for a couple of years, I am sure we all wish him every success in advising his clients and building his career in London.

Let’s be honest: he has zero chance of winning in Bath. We have never elected a Labour MP, and we don’t even have one Labour councillor.

Let’s be honest: Labour will win the election and form the next government with a big majority. It is only worth waiting up to find out by how many you will win.

As Labour supporters in Bath you will get the change you want nationally, but how to achieve the change you need locally?

I believe that I am the only candidate who can provide a realistic opposition to Wera. As an Independent councillor for the past 9 years, I have seen firsthand the actions of the local LibDem administration and I am concerned about their future plans.

I have a strong record of challenging this LibDem council and the previous Tory council.

If you want an MP for Bath who will represent you, respond to your requests for help, and try to keep a watchful eye on the local LibDem administration, and show a deep and unrelenting commitment to this great city, I am asking you to consider voting for me.

I’m asking you to lend me your vote. If I don’t do a good job, or if next time the local Labour party selects their own committed candidate, then take it back.

I have to be better than what we have got,

Sincerely, Colin

Every General Election candidate is allowed a free mailing to every address in their constituency. In the case of Bath, that’s 52,700 leaflets. A very big, ‘Thank You’ to Royal Mail!

Expect your leaflet with further information on Colin and Colin’s campaign in the next few days!

It’s ‘all go’ in the flyer/poster department, with road-side signage going up, window posters appearing, and leafleting being completed on more and more streets.

Mark Reynolds (aspiring Independent Councillor and Team Leader) commented, ‘We’ve got a dedicated passionate team going the “extra ten miles” all across the Bath. People are becoming aware of Colin and what a great opportunity they are being presented with!  Our campaign is getting noticed!’ 

The team is finding that being ‘out on the streets’ gives residents an opportunity to engage and provide feedback. ‘People enjoy talking to us’, said Mark, ‘and those conversations are generally very positive. They are dissatisfied, they want a voice, and that requires change. Colin is that change and can win in Bath. Let’s come together and stop being divided by ‘colours.’

Residents agree that neither Labour nor the Conservatives can win here, which is one of many reasons Colin is attracting interest from across the political spectrum.If you’d like to help, please contact Mark on 07934 167110.

The interview, made on Friday 14th of June 2024, can be read in full on the unibathtime website:

https://unibathtime.co.uk/2024/06/26/the-race-for-the-bath-constituency-an-interview-with-independent-candidate-colin-blackburn/

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Elliot: Lots of issues that Bath voters tend to care about do take place in ‘a national picture’, controlled very much by national political parties. If you were to be elected as an independent MP, how can you ensure that you’ll be able to influence and shape policies in these areas that your voters may care about?

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Colin: Well, as a seasoned and proven independent, I’m known for scrutinising decisions on a local level. I’m known for getting under the surface and engaging. As you know, this City is not represented at the moment by a ruling party. We voted in an MP at the last election who became one of just 11. So, from that point of view, my ability to be non-political and engage cross-party might actually create reasonable debate and discussion about our issues and views, which are often different than those in say, rural Yorkshire. If I were an MP for one of those locations locked into a party, do you think I could express those view local views as well? I don’t think so. I think I can do it better as an independent to engage in the committee rooms in Westminster and actually get our views heard.

All 9 candidates seeking to be elected as MP for Bath have made their pitch to seek your vote on the 4th of July. You can read each pitch on the Bath Voice website:

https://bathvoice.co.uk/2024/06/26/bath-voice-news-the-nine-candidates-seeking-your-vote-on-july-4th-in-the-general-election-make-a-pitch-for-your-support-to-make-them-baths-mp/

Colin Blackburn, The Independent candidate for Bath with be out and about meeting Bath Residents. Come along and have a chat and ask any questions you may have.

“We kick off today – Thursday 27^th June and will be adding more dates and venues over the coming days.”

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Thursday 27^th June

The Parks

Firs Field, Combe Down, Avenue/Firs corner: 3pm to 4pm

Odd Down Playing Field by Community Centre: 4pm to 5pm

The Pubs

Devonshire Arms, Wellsway: 5pm to 6pm

Ring O Bells, Widcombe: 6pm to 7pm