Mayor Election 2016 / News
Independent John Langley to stand for mayor
A second independent candidate for next year’s mayoral elections has stepped forward.
Former Bristol Ukip vice chairman and press officer John Langley has thrown his hat into the ring.
Langley, also in the adult entertainment business, split from his old party following a row about a porn film shot in Castle Park in broad daylight.
After he left Ukip, Langley set up the Brigstow Assembly, a party which seeks the views of the public before developing policy.
Announcing his candidacy, Langley told Bristol24/7 he would be continuing with the ethos of the assembly and would not be releasing his own manifesto until he had consulted with the people of Bristol.
“I believe in people having their voice in Bristol,” he said. “It’s about having democracy and having ownership in what you believe in. My policy will go the way it’s directed by the people of Bristol. After all, they would be my employers if elected.”
He said he had not been impressed with those who are in the running so far, adding: “With all due respect it’s same old, same old, same old.
“We have got to the stage now that if the major parties continue to do what they have always done we won’t get anywhere.
“Standing as an independent I’m not intertwined with the party politics and won’t be directed by some small executive elsewhere.”
Langley, also known as Johnny Rockard, claimed he was ordered to resign by Ukip after publishing a video in Castle Park showing him and his partner engaged in a daylight oral sex act. He later said he had left the party.
He stood for Ukip in Stockwood in the last local elections, where he came third with just over 20 per cent of the vote.
Langley follows Laurence Duncan as the second independent candidate to enter the mayoral race. Like Duncan and Ferguson, Langley said he would be crowdfunding for financial support.
Elections take place next May.
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