Vital changes need to take place in Europe says newly elected Devizes Tory chairman

Wiltshire councillor Richard Gamble, who has taken over as chairman of Devises Conservation Association from doyen chairman Ken Carter, has issued his first broadside for next month’s EU elections.

And he declares that the EU will have to undergo serious change if the UK is to remain a member – and that can be offered only by the Tories.

“The EU needs considerable change if the UK is to continue being a member and I am keen that serious negotiations are held to that end as soon as possible,” he told Marlborough News Online.

“Only the Conservatives have a plan to deliver real change in Europe, and only the Conservatives will deliver a referendum.  Quite frankly UKIP can’t deliver this, and Labour and the Liberal Democrats won’t.

“In the meantime, EU institutions have a hold over life in the UK and it is important that our representatives in the European Parliament are actively working for British interests.  “Our Conservative MEPs have a strong record of contributing positively and they deliver for Britain.  I will be working hard in the constituency to get this message across.  

“It is for this reason that the European elections are so important.  We need to have high quality people in the European Parliament now more than ever before, and we have six such candidates for 22 May for the South West.”  

Mr Gamble, who was previously the association treasurer for five years, was originally elected a Kennet councillor in 2007 and then a Wiltshire councillor for Lavington and Erlestoke when the Wiltshire unitary authority was created in 2009.

He is currently the Cabinet member for education, skills and youth on Wiltshire Council having previously held the public transport portfolio.

He said the association has an excellent management team for the May 22 EU elections and for next year’s General Election.

And he added: “Ashley Fox and Julie Girling have been exemplary MEPs, working on behalf of UK in the last European Parliament.

“I hope they will be joined in the new Parliament by James Cracknell, Georgina Butler, Sophie Swire and Melissa Maynard. I have met them all and have been struck by the great qualities they offer.”