CANDIDATE RUNNING IN CORNWALL AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

A WOMAN standing for election for Cornwall Council is also standing for election in Buckinghamshire. Bettina Harries is standing as a candidate for Reform UK in the Wadebridge East and St Minver division of Cornwall Council.

However she is also the Reform UK candidate for the Marlow ward in Buckinghamshire – almost 245 miles away. Reform UK is a national political party which was created from the Brexit Party which was originally launched by Nigel Farage, who is no longer involved.

Under election rules to be eligible to stand for election you have to be registered to vote in the area or have lived, worked or owned property there for at least 12 months before the election.

Bettina, a retired solicitor, said that she has lived in Trebetherick since 2016. She has not explained what her connection is with Buckinghamshire.

WMN sister website CornwallLive was provided with a statement by Reform UK about why she is standing. It said: “Her main concerns locally are the lack of easily accessible recycling facilities and for Cornwall more generally, the lack of employment. The council needs to be more pro-active in encouraging business start-ups and business relocation to Cornwall through business rates relief and other incentives, so that there is a diversity of employers and the county is not so heavily reliant on tourism.”

It added that “Bettina is a keen supporter of any environmental initiatives and always litter picks on her walks, particularly the beaches between Port Quinn and Rock”.