Sacked hospital chief to fight city seat
Sacked hospital chief Gary Walker is putting himself to the public vote in the battle to become Lincoln's MP
Mr Walker, 39, will stand as an independent candidate and contest MP and public health minister Gillian Merron's seat in the General Election.
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Former hospital chief Gary Walker's announcement that he is standing as an Independent candidate means it is now a seven-horse race for the Lincoln seat.
And the former chief executive of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust says he is more than a single-issue candidate.
Fired last month following a spat over missed NHS targets, Mr Walker said it was the injustice he felt about this and being incensed by the MP expenses scandal that had spurred him into politics.
"I think everyone's disillusioned with all party politics and I hope my standing shakes things up in Lincoln," said Mr Walker, who lives in Canwick.
"All the parties have got good policies, but if I had to place myself, I would be somewhere between the Tories and the Liberal Democrats.
"One of my major policies is health, which I know most about. When I was chief executive of the local hospitals, I created more than 400 jobs.
"Despite this, Lincoln has seen a decline in jobs and unemployment has doubled since 2008. That must change. We need to create a vibrant city and attract investment and support local business."
8 Comments
by F Turner, Lincoln
Friday, April 30 2010, 7:24AM
“This is the man who jumped and at all that was asked of him, and only after being finished does he grow a conscience and want
to put right everything thats wrong ,pity he didnt do this when he had the power , Sour grapes dont trust this man .
I work in the Nhs and know how spineless he is”
by Merron, out!
Wednesday, March 24 2010, 11:28AM
“The point is he has actually worked in a hospital.
All Merron has ever done is pose for a photo opportunity in one.”
by Martin, Lincoln
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 2:22PM
“"And how ironic that one of the candidates running against the public health minister is infinitely more qualified for the role than she is!"
Thought the problem with most of these guys running hospitals is that they're pretty well unqualified and just like the money - not unlike most of the guys running the banks.
Also - good luck to you, but I suspect you're gonna get about 3 votes... The side parties are probably going to get squeezed this elections, it's a bit to important for protest votes and other general stupidity.”
by Martin, Lincoln
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 10:56AM
“Well, he's not Gillian Merron, so that's at least one thing in his favour. And how ironic that one of the candidates running against the public health minister is infinitely more qualified for the role than she is!
Nevertheless, before I even consider casting my vote in Mr Walker's favour, I will need more information regarding his political views. May I suggest, if he has not already done so, he sets up some sort of internet website where he 'sets out his stall' as it were. After all, even in Lincoln there are some of us who don't just go "Duh, me vote Labour/Tory coz dad votes Labour/Tory" when we get in the polling booth.”
by Noduckhousesormoatsplease, Lincoln
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 9:33AM
“Following the revelations on Dispatches on Channel 4 last night, I'm not surprised he wants to become an MP, and I can't blame him.”
by Gary Walker's brain, Lincoln
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 9:26AM
“Gary, mate, I think you need to stop it now. Are you going for either the King of the Prats or most deluded man in Lincolnshire awards? Because they are both highly contested and we know that stressful competitive environments are not your thing....”
by sorry no chance, lincoln
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 8:47AM
“does not give much faith in someone whos been fired from a top job to walk straight into politics..unless he thinks theres big money in it...”
by Working, Greetwell
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 8:46AM
“So is this the gent that found working at the NHS too stressing so he decided to take an extended paid vacation. He now wants to take a "less stressful" job running the government. Sounds like he just wants back at the public trough.”