[James]

Standing as an Independent candidate...

Big Brother winner seeks electors' vote

Published Date: 04 October 2008
By BRIAN FERGUSON

A FORMER Big Brother winner is to seek election to the City of Edinburgh Council, The Scotsman has learned.
John Loughton, 21, confirmed last night he will stand as an independent candidate in a by-election next month.

The political activist, who won Big Brother Celebrity Hijack earlier this year, was previously the chairman of the Scottish Youth Parliament.

He also joined the Constitutional Commission, chaired by Sir Kenneth Calman, which has been set up to look at whether the Holyrood should be granted more powers.

Mr Loughton, who grew up in Pilton in north Edinburgh, beat a circus performer, Emilia Arata, 18, to win the Channel 4 reality show in January.

The Forth ward by-election on 6 November is being held in the wake of the death last month of the long-standing Labour councillor Elizabeth Maginnis.

Mr Loughton said: "I've had approaches from a number of different parties in the past, but I'm not interested in being a shallow career politician."

"I am standing as an independent, community candidate for one simple reason – the people of Forth deserve better.

"My entire family and I have lived and grown up in this area. I will ensure party politics or private interests never overshadow those of ordinary people. With hard work and strong values, I believe I can offer a fresh voice."

Last Updated: 04 October 2008 12:25 AM
Source: The Scotsman
Location: Edinburgh

http://news.scotsman.com/entertainme...s39.4558814.jp

[James]

John's election result...


Edinburgh Council by-election result

Labour (Cammy Day) 2013 30% (30%)
SNP (George Gordon) 1841 27% (24%)
Conservative (Iain McGill) 1180 17% (21%)
LibDem (Sanne Dijkstra-Downie) 985 14% (19%)
Green (Kate Joester) 341 5% (6%%)
Ind (John Loughton) 297 4%
Solidarity (Willie Black) 80 1%
Ind (Robert Richard) 53 <1%
SSP (James MacLean) 26 <1%

http://cameronrose.blogspot.com/2008...on-result.html

[Red Moon]

Originally posted by James
John's election result...

Ind (John Loughton) 297 4%

It's a shame he didn't make it. I hope he doesn't give up. it people like him that care that we need in politics rather than the multi-faced idiots we have in power today.

[Lauren]

It'd be interesting to hear his policies or something, but he did rather well for a first-standing independent candidate.

[James]

This is his website...

http://www.john4forth.co.uk/

He tried to get selected for the Lib Dems or Labour for the next Westminster election, apparently, but was rejected.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by James
This is his website...

http://www.john4forth.co.uk/

He tried to get selected for the Lib Dems or Labour for the next Westminster election, apparently, but was rejected.

I think I can see why he wasn't taken too seriously with that website.

No offence to his campaign, but he should strike a balance between modern and traditional. He pushes the youth factor to an extreme where his demographic literally only involves young people.

Then, he keeps quipping in that he was on Big Brother. It gave him no skills or further insight, so why does he mention it? He's a politician, not a TV star.

Furthermore, his "policies" are very brief and safe. He delves into little explanation on either of them, and just throws an ideology at us blindly.

Maybe I'm too critical.

[James]

John is standing for the Liberal Democrats in East Kilbride...

John Loughton (East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow): The 22-year-old won a spin-off of TV’s Big Brother dressed as an octopus in 2008.

He appeared in Big Brother, Celebrity Hijack with comedian Matt Lucas, winning the £50,000 first prize.

He is a ‘committed’ fan of X-Factor duo Jedward and claims he is a role model: ‘By appearing on a reality TV show, or standing for Parliament, I can challenge negative stereotypes of young people.’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/elec...#ixzz0mmt5VtbN