Tony Lit: the Interview

The task of fighting off the unamiable Cllr Mrs Murray in Rochester and Strood at the next election is an unenviable one, particularly when you consider that, for all her many flaws, she is a local candidate with an established fan base. However, there is one man who would be wonderfully suited to the job.

Meet Tony Lit, a truly sensational character catapulted to fame by the Conservative Party Leader David Cameron last Summer. Mr Lit fully intends to put his name forward once CCHQ advertises the seat. Why? Because he is a local candidate who calls the Constituency home.

Like many of us born in Medway, Mr Lit was born in All Saint’s Hospital, Chatham, “which is now sadly closed,” he says. “My family home was on Gordon Road, Strood, up until 1979, we then moved to Rochester Street, Chatham.

“In 1992, I started working in London, so travelled between London and home for a few years. In 1998 I moved to London, due to demands of long working hours and my married life.” However, Mr Lit “come[s] down to Medway regularly, about every two weeks as all my family Mum, brother, sister and Grand parents still live here”. Their local Councillor is none other than John Ward.

Despite moving to London, Mr Lit has many fond memories of the area. “I loved my sport, especially football, and remember going to Priestfield when the FA cup was on display there. Keith Peacock was the manager at the time, the mid 80′s.

“I have many happy childhood memories of growing up in this area. I was lucky to be able to play in the park safely, and to know my local bobby who was PC Birt. I also had lots of open spaces to explore.” And what has changed the most since you lived here? “I would say the biggest change in the area was the St Marys Island development.”

Even though he comes down to Medway regularly, Mr Lit still took advantage of the Rochester and Strood “open day”. “I really enjoyed the tour of the constituency, with my fellow candidates. For me, it was a trip down memory lane. I was impressed by Chris Buckwell’s tremendous knowledge of the area.”

Tony Lit shot to fame by being chosen to fight the difficult by-election in Ealing Southall last Summer. Despite the negative spin the national media placed on Mr Lit’s third place, he is still proud of what he, and his team, managed to achieve.

“After the dust settled, and you analysed exactly what was achieved in the Ealing Southall By-election in only 20 days, I have to say I was fairly pleased. We increased our vote, which as you will know from starting off in Third place normally gets squeezed, and our council position was stronger with five defections from Labour.

“Obviously I would have loved to win, and that is the spirit with which I entered the race, however I knew the task of getting elected was going to be a tough one with so little time to campaign. The support I received from around the country was amazing and I am truly thankful to all those people who gave up their own free time to help me with my campaign by delivering leaflets or canvass and stuff envelopes.”

One of the people who was high in profile on a number of occasions during the Ealing Southall campaign was the Conservative Party Leader, David Cameron. He “gave me great encouragement and support throughout the campaign and post campaign. He is a natural Leader and I believe he will be our next Prime Minister. He is a real source of strength and inspiration.”

Mr Lit says that the “experience of the Ealing Southall by-election has only made me more determined: I know I have a lot to offer and deliver what I promise.” So does that mean that Mr Lit will try and get the candidacy in Rochester and Strood? “I would be delighted to be considered to be the area’s PPC, but there will be many competent candidates applying for this area so I don’t really wish to jump the gun on my priorities for the Constituency.”

However “nothing would please me more than if at the next election we have three Members of Parliament returned from the conservative party for Medway towns: Rochester and Strood, Chatham and Aylesford and Gillingham and Rainham. It’s been a long time since we have had Conservative MP’s working with a strong Conservative Council for Medway.”

Tony Lit comes across as a superb candidate, and one in which Rochester and Strood would do well to invest. However, he is still staying tight-lipped about what he would do for the Constituency, by promising to expand on this point “when the time is a little more appropriate”.

I for one would one day love to see Tony Lit, Conservative MP for Rochester and Strood, because I believe that he has a lot to offer, and I wish him all the success in the world!