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But he has now withdrawn after concluding he had been “naive” in thinking he could combine his high-profile journalism role with local politics.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.
