An MP who quit last year after admitting watching pornography twice in the House of Commons says he's considering standing for election once more. Neil Parish stood down a year ago.
Mr Parish, who represented Tiverton and Honiton for the Conservatives, said at the time that he was trying to search for tractors online when he accidentally viewed the X-rated content. He went on to admit that he intentionally watched it a second time while waiting to vote.
Now, he has been spotted out and about in Tiverton canvassing for independent candidate Christina Daw, who is standing in May's local elections having herself quit the Conservatives earlier this year in a row over a building development, reports DevonLive, which spoke to him while he was on the campaign trail. He said he was considering running as an independent candidate himself at the next general election.
Mr Parish said: “I’m just making sure that people know that Chris is standing as an independent, and I want to make sure I’m for things, not against things. People are still very worried about the cost of living and everything going on, but it’s fascinating, really. I think politically, the election is wide open here, and somebody like Chris Daw, who’s done such a good job for the area, will stand a very good chance.”
He continued: “I’ve always worked very well with Chris, and she is a very good councillor, and for my sins, I think I was not a bad MP either. Therefore we both share the same vision that you stand up for your community, you stand up for your area, and you fight for it."
Mr Parish spoke about the possibility of running as an independent candidate himself, adding: “I think with the political climate like it is at the moment, they may well be looking for a change, and perhaps the political parties don’t always please them, so somebody who could look across the political spectrum and be for things not against them.”
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He continued: “I’m not against the Conservatives, Liberals or Labour or anybody, I just want to be for the area, and if I stand as an independent, that is what I will do. If I am going to stand, I will make a decision during the summer for sure. It’s very difficult in a parliamentary seat to suddenly pop up at the last minute; therefore, one will have to dig in."
Parish, who represented the area in Parliament for 12 years, added: “When you have blotted your copybook, you have to see how people now view it. I think, on the whole, people think I did a stupid thing, but I think they also believe that I stood up for the area.”
Christina Daw added: “It’s been very interesting out with Neil this afternoon to see what people are thinking and being very open to us, asking lots of questions, but you never know what will happen until the votes are counted.”
The full list of Cranmore district council candidates: Steve Bush (Independent), Les Cruwys (Liberal Democrat), Chris Daw (Independent), Guy Edward (Conservative), Tom Ewings (Labour), Beckett Fish (Liberal Democrats), Sue Griggs (Conservative), Lance Kennedy (Liberal Democrats), Nina Zuleika Lindsay (Conservative)
