May 11, 2017 5.49 pm This story is over 82 months old

Lincoln ‘music man’ Phil Gray announces eleventh hour MP candidacy

Well-known Lincoln busker Phil Gray has been confirmed as an Independent candidate to stand in the June 8 general election. Phil, who has lived in Lincoln since 1992 and spent many years working in the education sector before committing to his music full-time last year, says he wants to bring “love, joy and peace to…
Phil Gray will be standing as an Independent candidate for Lincoln.

Well-known Lincoln busker Phil Gray has been confirmed as an Independent candidate to stand in the June 8 general election.

Phil, who has lived in Lincoln since 1992 and spent many years working in the education sector before committing to his music full-time last year, says he wants to bring “love, joy and peace to the neighbourhood of Lincoln”.

Often seen on the city streets with guitar in hand and a colourful cowboy-style hat on his head, Phil has already begun spreading his message of “End party politics; Choose love, joy and peace” around the constituency.

Phil Gray told The Lincolnite: “I am running on the premise that political parties are counter-productive. I am saying that the city will be better served by a representative of the borough rather than a delegate under a party whip.

“I believe people should be treated as equals and that the government are elitist, serving the few, not the many.

“I know that phrase has Labour connotations. I did campaign for Labour for one year. But I was disappointed with New Labour.

“I want to see things change and I want to see a reform of government.

“One of the biggest issues for me is that MPs need to be public servants and I do not agree with huge salary increases.”

He promises to publish his manifesto next week and said he will be bringing his guitar out on the campaign trail.

Also announcing his campaign for the Lincoln MP seat on deadline day (May 11) was deaf candidate Iain Scott-Burdon, who sits on a number of disabled committees and groups. 

They join Conservative Karl McCartney, who won in the 2015 general election by beating Labour’s Lucy Rigby by 1,443 votes.

Labour’s candidate for the election on June 8 is councillor and former Mayor of Lincoln Karen Lee.

UKIP have also chosen their candidate for the election in June. Nick Smith, who previously stood in the 2005, 2010 and 2015 general elections, will once again take up the challenge.

The Liberal Democrats announced their selection on May 3 as local business woman Caroline Kenyon.

 Ben Loryman was also confirmed as the Green Party candidate.