Biography

Cllr Tony Clarke 45, was born and bred in Northampton, he still lives in the town with his wife Carole and his two children Daniel 22 and Natasha 16.

Leaving School at 15 he began a colourful career which started as roofer. He has also been a Lumberjack, Dry Stone Waller, Training and Personnel Manager a Social Work trainer and Lecturer and spent 14 years working for Northamptonshire County Council, 8 Years as an elected member on Northampton Borough Council, and 8 Years in the Houses of Parliament representing the Labour Party in Northampton South. In Parliament he was renowned for his independent views and was also the curse of the Whips office. He was also a Special Constable with Northamptonshire Police between 2004 and 2007 and is currently employed full time as a Director at Northampton Town Football Club.

A “working class lad done good” he mixes his local community work with activity on the international stage, a former Chair of the Northern Ireland Select Committee, Tony also represented Her Majesty’s Government, working often on a first hand close quarter basis with governments, paramilitaries and suspected terrorists in Northern Ireland, Palestine and the Middle East, Albania Syria, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. He specialised on both Conflict Resolution Matters and Election Monitoring Visits.

Main Issues

EDUCATION

For: Community Schools
Against: Academies as the only answer

I believe that all schools in all parts of the town should receive the support they deserve from the centre. I want to promote and campaign for a return to more local community based schooling where excellence and attainment are available to parents no matter where they live.

HEALTH

For: Local Control of Healthcare
Against: Regionalisation of Services

I want our hospitals and health services in Northampton to strive towards clinical excellence within each and every health discipline. I will campaign against regionalization of services and 'specialist' hospitals wherever they dilute choice and availability to the local population.

CRIME

For: Keeping Northamptonshire Force
Against: A Regional Police Force

I will support the retention and improvement of a Northamptonshire based Police force with a separate division for the Town of Northampton.

ENVIRONMENT

For: Green energy, Local Sustainability
Against: Further large-scale imports of carbon energy

I want 'being green' to be affordable as well as right and for green living to be as natural and common place as any other aspect of our lives. I want to end the arguments about green taxes by making green also mean economically viable.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

For: A Unitary Council for Northampton
Against: Two tier Local government

I will campaign for a new Unitary Council for Northampton, where all services are under one roof with one set of Councillors, not two making the decisions on your behalf.

OLDER PEOPLE AND EARNINGS

For: Restoring the Pension link to earnings
Against: Cuts to personal care budgets

I want to restore the link between pensions and earnings for the elderly.

YOUNG PEOPLE

For: Votes for all at 17
Against: Further Student top up fees

I want votes for all at 17

SPORT

For: More statutory provision for Sport
Against: Further loss of playing fields

I have seen the power that sport has to change peoples lives and improve and enhance community cohesion. I want to ensure it takes its true place on the national agenda.

FORIEGN AFFAIRS

For: Phased withdrawal from Iraq/Afghanistan
Against: Unilateral action without UN consent

I believe that every time Britain fails to act reasonably to the world’s problems we simply multiply the problems for future generations at home and abroad. I believe good collective intervention saves both lives and money.