Andy Bennetts

Young people have been “stitched up” by the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats, claims the Class War party parliamentary candidate for Lichfield and Burntwood.

Andy Bennetts
Andy Bennetts

Andy Bennetts, 39, believes higher tuition fees, low paid jobs and a lack of affordable housing has led to voting apathy amongst the young.

He has already said the May 7 poll is a waste of time, claiming Conservative Michael Fabricant will retain his seat.

Mr Bennetts, a member of a workers co-op, said: “I didn’t go to university. I didn’t try hard at school – I left school and then went to college and I did a computer course.

“In 1997 I was able to sell my car and use some of that money to put down a deposit for my first house in Burntwood. Young people today can’t do that, no matter how hard they work.

“I was born at the right time, back when a full-time job gave you the resources to get on in life.

“Political parties argue that young people are ‘lazy, feckless or unwilling to find work’ – but the recession and poor labour market isn’t their fault.

“The Tories claim that young unemployed people are the biggest drain on our welfare bill, but actually it’s the baby boomer generation who cost us more through their entitlements and pensions, but no-one is going to tax them.”

Bennetts wants to see “community action” similar to the civil disobedience seen during the anti poll tax campaign in 1990 that led to the downfall of Conservative PM Margret Thatcher.

But UKIP candidate John Rackham has questioned why Bennetts is standing for parliament.

UKIP's John Rackham behind the bar at his pub, the Kings Head in Lichfield
UKIP’s John Rackham behind the bar at his pub, the Kings Head in Lichfield

Mr Rackham, who owns the Kings Head Pub on Bird Street, said: “The Class War party candidate has suggested that Michael can just go on holiday and still win the seat.

“I think that is negative and I don’t understand why he has put himself forward as an independent if he doesn’t think he can make a difference. I wish him the best of luck and hope he gets his deposit back.

“At least I’ve a platform with UKIP to put across actual policies, and at least I’ve a chance to deliver change for the people of Lichfield and Burntwood on May 7.”

But Bennetts hit back. He said: “I’m standing for parliament because I’ve things to say to the other parties that they won’t like.

“I’ve zero interest in the election – but standing gives me a platform to talk about politics, and not this pantomime.

“Voting won’t make any difference. The British Medical Association has said after this election charges are going to be introduced into the NHS, by whoever forms the next government – you can’t vote to stop that.

“The way to stop something that from happening is collective community action like there was during the anti-poll tax campaign. If charges are introduced people should just refuse to pay.

“We’ve not had a real election in Lichfield since 1990 when this constituency was known as Mid-Staffordshire – opinion polls aren’t even taken in Lichfield anymore, because everyone knows Michael Fabricant will win.

“In 1990 Sylvia Heal won the election for the Labour party – but the Tories split – they fielded two candidates, an official candidate and an anti-Thatcher candidate that was the last time we had an election here.”

The candidates standing in the Lichfield constituency in May are:

  • Andy Bennetts – Class War
  • Michael Fabricant – Conservatives
  • Robert Pass – Green Party
  • John Rackham – UKIP
  • Paul Ray – Lib Dem
  • Chris Worsey – Labour

NCTJ-trained reporter with experience in a wide variety of journalism settings.