Independent who served as soldier bids to become Warrington South MP

AN independent parliamentary candidate for Warrington South – who has served as a soldier – has revealed what his biggest priority would be if he becomes MP.

The General Election will take place next Thursday, with polling stations open from 7am to 10pm.

The candidates standing in Warrington South are Conservative Andy Carter, Labour’s Sarah Hall, Liberal Democrat Graham Gowland, the Green Party’s Steph Davies, Reform UK’s Janet Balfe, the Social Democratic Party’s Graeme Kelly and independent Peter Willett.

Mr Willett, aged 59, has outlined what made him want to put his name forward as a candidate, and confirmed what his biggest priority would be if he becomes MP.

He said: “With a career spanning over 35 years as a leader in the British Army and the education sector, I have always been driven by a passion for service and a commitment to high standards of behaviour and aspiration.

“My extensive experience in improving student behaviour and establishing strong cultures of care and safeguarding in schools has equipped me with the skills to address complex issues and lead with integrity.

“I am putting my name forward as a General Election candidate because I believe in preparing our society for an uncertain future and helping tackle the present challenges.

“As an MP, my biggest priority is advocating for policies that support improving people’s lives within the community. This would include a focus on avoiding tax rises by stealth and, of course, seeking investment and growth locally.”

Stretton resident Mr Willett, who is a teacher in the local area, says serving as a soldier and officer in the British Army – with deployments to Bosnia, Northern Ireland, and Belize – was ‘challenging and immensely rewarding’.

“Each deployment presented unique circumstances and required a deep sense of duty, adaptability, and resilience,” he said.

“In Bosnia, the complexities of peacekeeping in a post-conflict environment were profound. The mission was to maintain stability and support the rebuilding of communities affected by the war.

“One of my main memories is witnessing the resilience and determination of the local population amidst the devastation, which reinforced my belief in the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity.

“Northern Ireland posed different challenges, needing to navigate a highly sensitive political and social landscape. Here, my role involved ensuring the safety and security of both military personnel and civilians, often requiring delicate negotiations and a deep understanding of the local context.

“Although my NI tour was thankfully short due to the peace process I remember the sense of accomplishment that came with successful de-escalation of potentially volatile situations, contributing to the overall peace process.

“In Belize, the experience was marked by the need to adapt to a tropical environment and engage in jungle warfare training. This deployment taught me the importance of preparation, teamwork, and the ability to thrive in challenging conditions.

“The camaraderie developed during this time, and the skills gained remain a highlight of my military career. We also seized serval millions worth of drugs and helped keep streets clean.”

Furthermore, Mr Willett has spoken about what he thinks about the current state of politics in the country.

He said: “Our country’s current state of politics is one of significant transformation and, at times, division. We are still locked into a two-party system; we flip-flop from Labour to Conservative and back again, this has been the state of affairs for 90 years.

“We are facing unprecedented challenges, from economic uncertainty to the ongoing impacts of global events. However, these challenges also present opportunities for meaningful change.

“There is a growing need for leaders who can bridge divides, foster collaboration, and focus on long-term solutions rather than short-term gains.

“My time in education and military background has taught me the value of discipline, strategic thinking, and the importance of community.

“Politics today requires a renewed focus on integrity, transparency, and a commitment to serving the public good.

“I am particularly concerned about the need for a robust education system that prepares our youth for future challenges. We can work towards a more unified and prosperous society by addressing these and other critical issues.”