“We’re all Loonys now”: Lord Halfperson of Blackheath declares candidacy for 2018

It has often been rumoured, but it now looks like it’s finally happening – ex-local councillor and perennial election candidate Trevor Allman has joined the Official Monster Raving Loony Party. Now known as Lord Halfperson of Blackheath, he has declared his intention to stand in Blackheath Westcombe ward at next year’s local elections.

Allman first came to prominence in 1986 when he topped the polls in Vanbrugh ward, beating the Conservatives for the first time since 1974, to become the youngest Labour Councillor in Greenwich Borough. However, it wasn’t long before his confrontational style and a Michael Heseltine-style incident saw him being suspended from the Labour party the following year, sitting out the rest of his term as an independent.

After a number of years away from politics, Allman resurfaced as a Green Party candidate for Blackheath Westcombe at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 local elections. In 2014 he won the most Green Party votes ever locally – 1098 – and 20% of the vote despite the Green Party leadership claiming he wasn’t a member after an online spat with UKIP.

Despite this, he parted company with the Greens before the 2015 General Election claiming they had been infiltrated by “evangelical Christians” who had “never attended a branch meeting or participated in any Green Party activity”.

After a spell in Left Unity and a brief period back in the Labour Party before being expelled again, apparently at the request of local MP Matthew Pennycook, it looked like Blackheath’s colourful candidate would be a no-show for next May.

However:-

In a packed meeting in the telephone box along Westcombe Park Road, SE3, the Blackheath Westcombe branch of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party selected Trevor Allman as its prospective candidate for Blackheath Westcombe Ward in the 2018 London Borough of Greenwich elections.

Trevor has lived in Blackheath Westcombe Ward for 44 years, was a Borough Councillor for Vanbrugh Ward (now incorporated into Blackheath Westcombe Ward) from 1986-1990 and has since stood in the ward four times, the last being in 2014, when he polled 1,098 votes (19.8%) as a Green Party candidate.

Trevor will be the first Official Monster Raving Loony Party candidate to ever stand for election in the London Borough of Greenwich.

Trevor’s acceptance speech was met with a standing ovation from Colin, in which he stated –

“I will campaign under the Party slogan “Vote for insanity – You know it makes sense”, which is so apt for our times.

If elected, I will aim to be a voice for the poorest and most vulnerable in our community, whom the mainstream, pro-establishment political parties have long abandoned.
This may be viewed by many as a loony thing to do.

I would also continue my opposition to the Silvertown Tunnel project, which will lead to increased pollution and congestion in Blackheath Westcombe Ward and surrounding areas.
Even we loonys think it’s a crazy idea.

I would also continue my quest for a memorial to the Suffragette Emily Wilding Davison, who was born in Vanbrugh Park Road West in 1872. She was also denounced as being a “loony” by her detractors for wanting votes for women, a cause she was imprisoned and tortured for, and ultimately died for.

Now let’s head down the pub and prepare for power !!”

Loony, you say? Why is this interesting?

Blackheath Westcombe is the only local ward that has returned split results since its inception. Allman’s strong personal vote could make a difference to who gets elected next year.

Conservative Candidates

The Conservatives have an all-male line-up this time with Malcolm Reid joining Geoff Brighty and Thomas Turrell on the slate.

Brighty has been a Councillor for Blackheath Westcombe since 2006 and was previously a Councillor for Blackheath between 1990-2002 and Kidbrooke from 1982-1986. He has contested elections across the borough since 1971, narrowly missing out in 1974 (34 votes), 1986 (39 votes) and 2002 (16 votes).

Reid is a former local Conservative Federation Treasurer and previously stood in Abbey Wood in 2006 and Peninsula in 2010.

Turrell is the Deputy Area Chair of SE London Conservatives and previously stood in the ward in 2014 and the 2015 Greenwich West By-Election.

Labour Candidates

With both Cherry Parker and Paul Morrissey standing down in 2018 the Labour Party have selected three newcomers to fight the ward – Leo Fletcher, Mariam Lolavar, Sabiha Shahzad.

Fletcher is the father of Hayley, 2010-2014 Labour Councillor in Kidbrooke with Hornfair, who stood down citing the Labour Group’s political culture and bullying as her reasons.

Lolavar was chair of the Her Centre for six years and works at the Financial Times.

Shahzad is planning a return to politics after 20 years away – she previously served as a Councillor for West between 1990-1994 and Kidbrooke from 1994 until 1998.

The others

The Lib Dems and the Greens have not declared any candidates. Having failed to stand candidates in this year’s General Election it’s doubtful whether UKIP is still a going concern.

Prediction?

This one is too close to call at the moment and will be one to watch on May 3rd.

UPDATE: A few people have commented that “Loonys” is a mistake. It turns out it is, but not in the way you might think. The Official Monster Raving Loony Party say that “Loony’s” is correct and neither “Loonies” or “Loonys” should be used.