Pubdate: Thu, 10 Jan 2002
Source: Essex Chronicle (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Quicksilver Media
Contact:  http://www.thisisessex.co.uk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1317
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

SIX TO CONTEST BY-ELECTION

Six candidates are set to fight the Braintree Council by-election for a 
vacancy in the town's west ward following the resignation of Labour's Chris 
Bacon after moving to Singapore.

Labour will be making a big push for the seat to ensure they maintain their 
hold on the authority.

The party currently has 29 of the seats, with the combined forces of other 
parties and independents totalling 30. Polling day is Thursday January 31.

Labour's candidate is Graham Darwood, 30, a solicitor specialising in 
employment law, who lives in Braintree.

Don Barnard, who has lived in the town for 35 years, is standing for the 
Legalise Cannabis Alliance. He will be campaigning to legalise cannabis as 
a crime reduction measure to free police to tackle other problems.

Terry Brooks,56, who has successfully developed his own business after 
facing redundancy, is the unanimous choice of the Liberal Democrats to 
contest the seat.

Independent John Buchan, 56, who has lived in Braintree for 20 years, says 
he will be standing to "give something back to the people and the area of 
his adopted home."

Duncan Stewart, who lives in Bocking, is the Green Party choice. He has 
stood previously and has campaigned extensively on planning issues.

The Tory man is Roger Walters, 55, a county councillor who has recently 
been pushing for an investigation into power cuts in the area.
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MAP posted-by: Beth