Election candidate won't be allowed to be called 'Mr Clacton Brexit' on ballot paper
15 November 2019, 10:26
A Brexit supporting candidate has been told he will not be allowed to use his preferred name on the voting slip in the upcoming election as it breaks the rules.
Local candidate Andrew Morgan wanted to change his name on the ballot paper to ensure Brexit remained on the local ticket has been left upset after authorities said no.
Mr Morgan changed his name by deed poll to 'Andrew Morgan Clacton-Brexitparty', but he has been told this does not comply with election rules.
He told the local press he decided to stand after being left annoyed after Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage stood down 317 candidates in Conservative-held seats in the General Election.
The Eurosceptic was told by the returning officer for Clacton that his name did not comply with the rules, so he will now stand under his birth name of Andrew Morgan.
He said: “They have accepted my papers, but have said they don’t agree with my argument over the name.
“They are not going to allow it, so I’m going to stand as Andrew Morgan.
“With the law of deed poll if you don’t use the name – sending off a passport or driving licence – within three to six months then its not classes as you taking that name.
“It was a bit of a waste of time, but I’ve made a point.”
Ian Davidson, acting returning officer for the Clacton constituency, said legal advice had been taken in relation to the acceptance or otherwise of nominations for the upcoming General Election.
“Although empowered as I am as acting returning officer, I felt it prudent to seek independent legal advice before making any decision; that advice was clear and unequivocal, and underpins my decision,” he said.
