Bill Holden says....

The Norwich North by-election is fast becoming one of the most corrupt in modern history

When I stood as a candidate for Norwich North at the last general election I had one of those uneasy feelings about the process but was not really able to prove my suspicions.

As one or two of you may know my campaign is about bringing representation closer to the people

This election is one of the most corrupt UK elections in modern times; this exercise in democracy is seriously flawed.

We are told that the purpose of an election is to allow those who would wish to achieve office to stand before the electorate, in a free and fair election, in order that the people may choose their champion.

This election thus far has not even achieved the level of fairness that we have so often witnessed in many other places around the world.

How is the electorate expected to make an informed decision upon who to vote for if they are not given equal access to hear from all the candidates in order to know what they stand for?

As an independent candidate I pay all my own expenses, I have not been given equal access to TV (only 2 short puff pieces) and no radio time( I have just been interviewed by future radio which was arranged after this release was first issued, go to future radio to hear the podcast), the newspapers have not given me fair access to report my campaign, I have not been invited to all of the different husting events in order to be heard, and of those that I have been invited to, there is evidence of the so called main parties actively trying to edit the list of candidates that you will hear from.

Do you think that candidates rushing in from all over the place who have been chasing other nominations wherever they can (even if they have a tenuous link with Norwich) is a further indicator of just how remote your local political representation has become?

My campaign is all about bringing representation nearer to the electorate and away from the parties but how can you make an informed decision about whether or not to vote for me if you have never had the chance to hear from me.

If all candidates are not given equal access to the media in order to put forward their message, how can any subsequent election be declared legitimate?

(press please note hard evidence is available to back up this claim)

This level of corruption should be unacceptable in a modern British election.

I ask you to do one of two things.

A vote for me would be gratefully received and show that attempting to silence candidates at an election will not be tolerated.

but

If you are fed up with the whole failed political system that you are being asked to legitimise by casting a vote based upon a knowledge of only half the candidates, go to the voting station, collect your paper , go to the booth but do not put any mark on the paper. Casting a non vote will send a powerful signal.

This is not democracy, this election is corrupt.

Corrupt = Dishonest, crooked, shady, fraudulent.