LW: Chatham Conservatives choose former Ghurka for by-election
Chatham Conservatives have unanimously selected Tashi Bhutia, a former member of the Brigade of Ghurkas, as their candidate for the forthcoming by election in Luton and Wayfield.
Born in 1955, Tashi followed his family tradition by joining the Gurkhas. And while serving in Hong Kong, he met his wifem who was serving in the Royal Navy.
After they married, they were posted to Chatham Dockyard in 1980 and have lived in Chatham since. Tashi still works in the defence industry as a technician for BAE Systems at Rochester.
In a statement to the press, Tashi Bhutia said:
Whoever is elected to represent Luton and Wayfield needs courage and determination to tackle the problems which often blight this proud community. Combating anti-social behaviour, including drug abuse, binge drinking and the ?yob culture?, will be my priority. I will work with anyone, regardless of political party, to do what is right.
Chatham has a proud military history as was demonstrated at the recent Armed Forces Day celebration, and that includes a long standing connection with the Brigade of Gurkhas. I am therefore deeply saddened that our Labour MP put his Party above his constituency when he chose to vote with Gordon Brown against the pension and residency rights for retired Gurkhas.
Tracey Crouch, the Parliamentary Candidate for Chatham and Aylesford, added:
I am delighted to endorse Tashi Bhutia and look forward to working with him in this campaign. Labour have taken urban areas like Luton and Wayfield for granted for far too long. This is a chance for local people to send a message to Gordon Brown: It?s Time for Change.
The Conservatives are the first party to openly announce their Candidate. Labour, who have a notional hold on the ward, are expected to run their internal selection process over the course of the next two weeks. Other parties are yet to confirm whether or not they are running, or who their candidate is to be.
Tashi stood in River ward in 2007, coming a close fourth, far ahead of fifth place, and in Chatham Central in 2003:
2007 Election Results
River, May 3, 2007
| Pos | Candidates | Party | Votes | ||||
| 3 | Mark Jones | Labour | 712 – not elected | ||||
| 4 | Tashi Tamang-Bhutia | Conservative | 660 – not elected | ||||
| 5 | Eleanor Margaret Stamp | Liberal Democrat | 161 – not elected | ||||
2003 Election Results
Chatham Central, May 1, 2003
| Pos | Candidates | Party | Votes | ||||
| 5 | Richard John Wozencroft | Conservative | 534 – not elected | ||||
| 6 | Tashi Tamang-Bhutia | Conservative | 524 – not elected | ||||
| 7 | Nikki Caroline Sinclaire | UK Independence Party | 364 – not elected | ||||
2009 By-Election
September 3, 2009
| Candidates | Party | Votes | |||
| Tashi Bhutia | Conservative | - | |||
| To be announced | British National Party | - | |||
| To be announced | Labour | - | |||
| To be announced | UK Independence Party | - | |||
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Alan W Collins
Alan W Collins
Alan W Collins
1 Comment
The more I think about this, the more I realise that this selection was brilliant for an area such as Luton and Wayfield.
Both halves of the ward (which was merged from the former Luton ward and Wayfield ward in 2003) would benefit from having Tashi as one of their ward councillors.
It wouldn’t take away anything from the existing Labour councillors, who would still be available for an resident who preferred them (a gradually dwindling number, though, my own “intell” sources report) but adds something new and different.
My own experiences in the ward ? including my recent deliveries there and those of a year ago ? strongly suggest that the ward is now ready for at least a partial change. Also, the considerable ethnic minority population in Luton would no doubt find it easier to deal with someone also of a non-indigenous ethnic origin.
It isn’t the be-all and end-all by any means, but it would help oil the wheels when dealing with the needs of this ever-increasing sector or the ward’s populace. I’d trem it “the icing on the cake”.
Especially after my encounter with a footballing boy who spoke only a handful of words of English, a couple of weekends ago, I do realise how important this aspect of a councillor’s duties is going to be, starting now.
On top of all this, Tashi’s involvement with and support for the “Save Capstone Valley” campaign ? something the other candidates haven’t even mentioned as afar as I can see ? places him with local people rather than against or ignoring them, as the huge response to the postcard campaign demonstrates beyond a shadow of doubt.