The editor of Bristol 24/7 has stood down as a candidate in the Hotwells and Harbourside by-election due to “perceived conflicts of interest”. Martin Booth had entered the race for the vacant seat on Bristol City Council as an independent following the resignation of Lib Dem Cllr Alex Hartley for mental health reasons.
But he has now withdrawn after concluding he had been “naive” in thinking he could combine his high-profile journalism role with local politics. In an article on Bristol 24/7, Martin said that while his name would still appear on the ballot paper, he would no longer be campaigning and that the independence of the local news site had already been called into question.
“The only reason why I stood to be an independent candidate in the Hotwells & Harbourside by-election was to represent my community at City Hall,” he wrote. “I have no political aspirations other than this very simple wish.
Read more: Important dates for Bristol council by-election next month and list of candidates standing
“Hotwells & Harbourside needs someone who lives in the area, who cares passionately about the area and who will represent the views of people in the area. I naively thought that the best person to do that would be me and I have been humbled by the large number of people who have already given me their support.
“I know that I could have won this seat; I would not have stood if I didn’t think this was true. I will continue to fight for causes close to my heart in the area of Bristol that my family and I call home, but as a journalist rather than as an independent candidate.
“Despite thinking that I could balance my work as Editor of Bristol24/7 with the demands of being a councillor (as I already balance the demands of being a father, husband, guidebook writer, tour guide and Circomedia trustee), I have sadly come to the conclusion that the perceived conflicts of interests make combining the roles impossible.” Martin said he had always attempted to be transparent and had recently published an opinion piece about the reservations of blurring the lines between politics and the media, as well as inviting each candidate in the by-election to write a first-person article.
“My only ambition may have been to represent my local community, but my decision to stand as an independent candidate has already called into question the independence of Bristol24/7,” he wrote. “As Editor of Bristol24/7, I have the best job in journalism in Bristol. We have an incredible team and I do not want to risk that team by standing for elected office and – however unlikely that might seem – to become a councillor.
“My somewhat wishful and naïve aspirations to help my local area remain. Just not as a candidate for the upcoming by-election. My brief foray into the cut and thrust of electoral politics has been brief but also eye-opening and hugely enjoyable.
“I have had fun talking to my neighbours on doorsteps, discussing local issues that we care about, and promising to listen to their concerns and do my best to represent them.” He said that instead of standing as a councillor, he would “strive to make Bristol a better place – just from outside rather than inside City Hall”.
Hotwells & Harbourside has been held by the Liberal Democrats since the ward was created in 2016, although the by-election on Thursday, February 2, is expected to be closely fought. Cllr Hartley won by just 26 votes ahead of Green candidate Heulwen Flower at the local elections in May 2021, with Labour third and the Conservatives fourth.
A hustings organised by Hotwells & Cliftonwood Community Association takes place at 7.30pm on Tuesday (January 17) at Hotwells Primary School, and places can be booked here.
All the remaining candidates are expected to take part. They are:
Eliana Barbosa (Conservative)
Patrick McAllister (Green)
Eileen Means (Labour)
Stephen Williams (Lib Dem)
Both Labour and the Greens have 24 seats on Bristol City Council, so either would become the largest group if they win the vote — although the authority would remain under no overall control and little would change under the current mayoral system, which will be scrapped next year, as Marvin Rees has an all-Labour cabinet.
Read next:
Dates revealed for Bristol City Council by-election race early next year
By-election to be held at Bristol City Council after councillor steps down
Bristol City Council committee system row reignites as Marvin Rees says it will "slow down" progress
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