A former Conservative councillor who used to have a top job in Bracknell has backed the Liberal Democrat candidate to be the next MP for Wokingham.
Marc Brunel-Walker, a former Conservative councillor who served on Bracknell Forest Council for 20 years has backed Clive Jones, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Wokingham constituency to be the area’s next MP.
Councillor Clive Jones was the leader of Wokingham Borough Council 2022-2023 and a representative for Hawkedon ward in Lower Earley.
Mr Brunel-Walker made his endorsement on Twitter.
Mr Brunel-Walker said: “Wokingham needs and deserves a full time MP that cares, and works for their constituents.
“That’s why I’m backing Clive Jones to be our next MP.”
He added that it was “time for a change” and used the hashtags #Wokingham and #ImBackingClive.”
Mr Brunel-Walker announced that he would be retiring from council life in January.
He previously served as the executive member for economic development and regeneration, a role which was involved in the Bracknell town centre regeneration project.
Mr Brunel-Walker has been a vocal critic of the Conservatives since his council retirement.
Living in the Wokingham Without ward of Wokingham Borough, Mr Brunel-Walker endorsed Liberal Democrat candidate Jordan Montgomery who went on to win the seat.
READ MORE: Constituency boundary changes for Bracknell and Wokingham ahead of next election finalised
The Wokingham Without ward, which covers part of Crowthorne, has been in the Bracknell parliamentary constituency but will be transferred to the Wokingham constituency at the next general election.
Accepting the endorsement, cllr Jones said: “I have had some conversations with Marc Brunel-Walker and I’m very pleased that he is supporting me to be the next MP for Wokingham.
“We had some conversations while I was canvassing in Wokingham Without.”
Cllr Jones recently campaigned for the Liberal Democrats during the party’s by-election win in Somerton and Frome, being spotted with Sarah Dyke, who is now that area’s MP.
Fellow Liberal Democrat councillors Andrew Mickleburgh (Hawkedon), Prue Bray Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey and Paul Fishwick (all Winnersh) also joined the campaign in Somerset.
Sir John Redwood is the current Conservative MP for Wokingham, a position he has held for 36 years, first being elected in 1987.
Earlier this year, he rebuffed claims that he is a ‘part timer’ as he earned £692,438 as a chief global strategist for investment management company Charles Stanley since December 2019.
At the time, Sir John said: “The Lib Dems and their allies spent the general election making false claims about the way I do the job as MP, claims most electors rejected.
“This contrasts with an out of touch Lib Dem led council which impedes our travel, worsens our refuse service, fails to tackle over development and puts taxes up in a cost of living crisis.”
Voters can view his website John Redwood’s Diary where he posts his views daily on current affairs.
The Wokingham Conservatives activities can also be found on their website.
Mr Brunel-Walker’s endorsement of cllr Jones follows that of former Wokingham Conservative councillor Mark Ashwell, who announced he was backing cllr Jones in July.
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