ANDREW CHARALAMBOUS

Early mornings and late evenings

2011-12-08T01:50:00.000-08:00

We were up early yesterday to hand out leaflets to the commuters of Feltham at the station. The London side has no proper drop off area and cameras which have made thousands of pounds for the council by fining motorists who are just dropping people off to get the train. The council claim it's because of all the buses that use it but there are only two and they have their own lane! It seems to me that they are just using car drivers as a cash cow.

But what makes it worse is that they put these cameras up saying they were to stop anti-social behaviour yet from canvassing the people here I know that trouble makers get away with it and still make people's lives a misery. I'll be chasing up what's happening to one gang who are causing trouble for a group of residents around Bedfont lane today and going to the police if nothing's been done, yet.

Deputy leader Paul Nuttall joined the team yesterday and gave us the great news that TV presenter and journalist Garry Bushell has decided to join the party and support my campaign.

After a hard day's pounding the streets it was down to telephone canvassing.

It's a short campaign, and a few of us from all parties have had comments about why we think that is, so there's no time to sit back and relax! We have to spread the UKIP message and with this EU summit taking place the role of UKIP has never been more vital.

The campaign continues

2011-12-06T02:58:00.000-08:00

Despite this cold weather the campaign here in Feltham and Heston has been going well.

Saturday we were joined by Nigel Farage MEP and many members of Young Independence. The feedback we've been getting on the streets and talking to people on the doorsteps is really positive and shows that people are tired with the failed promises of the three old parties.

UKIP is the fastest growing political party in the UK right now and that's because we are listening to the people because we are the people. We're not part of some metropolitan elite. That's why you can find us out on market stalls in Feltham, Heston and Hounslow or just pop into our office on Rochester Parade any time and talk to someone in there about the party or about any issues you may have for the constituency.

UKIP Surrey campaigner Chris Browne joins the UKIP team on Feltham High Street
Nigel was also down in the constituency yesterday and was interviewed by journalists who have seen the increased interest in the party in this area. The other parties have been most notable by their absence.

Aside from the Labour leader there was another Labour politician in the area: Former Labour MP John Lee was down to meet Nigel and I and to support my campaign here. This is great news and shows that UKIP gain supporters from people all over the political spectrum.

Me talking to a local resident and former Labour MP John Lee whilst Nigel Farage tells another constituent about the UK's fastest growing party: UKIP

Fighting crime with action not words

2011-12-02T05:59:00.000-08:00

Other parties might talk tough on crime but it's evident that there's not been any action. I've spoken to many people whilst I've been out canvassing who tell me that there is no action taken against the gangs who make life a misery for people who live around them.

One older lady told me that she's regularly faced with the gang around her openly dealing drugs and even trespassing on her property and stopping her from leaving her house.

I've been in touch with the estate manager for that area who has tried in the past to get the police to do something. I will be visiting the police station to make sure that they know we won't let them just allow a few trouble makers to upset the law abiding people of this area.

Of course, there is Feltham Young Offenders' Institution but we need action in order to get the criminals off the street.

UKIP would also scrap the Human Rights Act which will allow Britain to not only deport foreign criminals but will stop the European move to give prisoners the vote. In a council ward like Feltham West, this move could see inmates decide who represents the area on the local council! Clearly this is something all right thinking people would want to stop.

I've been a special constable in London for many years and we need a tougher policy on law and order. This has not been delivered by the other parties, so this time give your vote to UKIP.

Housing: why local authorities should do more for our veterans

2011-12-02T05:45:00.000-08:00

I've been fortunate enough to meet a former rifleman who now lives in the constituency with his young family. Marc Wilkinson came to my attention following media reports which explained that despite a serious leg injury which has already needed 22 operations and will no doubt require more, the Local Authority decided he did not need accommodation to account for this and he is currently living in a third floor flat with no lift.

This week I have accompanied him to see Hounslow Homes as it is just common sense and decency that we house someone who has fought for this country as a priority. We've been making progress and luckily met some very helpful people in the organisation who are now reassessing the case. We have demanded that the original assessment be thrown out as it is plain to see that someone who has a leg injury and uses crutches to move around should not be transferred.

UKIP CHOOSES BY-ELECTION CANDIDATE

2011-11-25T06:27:00.000-08:00

Thursday, 24th November 2011

UKIP has announced its candidate for the forthcoming Feltham and Heston by-election to be held on Thursday, December 15.

Andrew Charalambous, UKIP's Housing spokesman, has been selected to fight the seat.

Thirty-nine year-old Andrew is a property developer who has spent much of his career helping reduce homelessness in London through an innovative social housing scheme that allows poorer tenants to avoid paying rent and deposits.

Dubbed "a different kind of social entrepreneur" by the Financial Times, he is also founder of Club4Climate, a global environment organisation that launched the the world's first ecological nightclub. The bar, based in King's Cross, features a piezoelectric dance floor that produces electricity by harnessing the movements of people.

Andrew has also served 15 years as a special constable in the City of London and the Honourable Artillery Company. He is a patron of the Leukaemia Society and studied Law at London University before qualifying as a barrister.

In last year's General Election he stood as a Conservative Party candidate in Edmonton.

Andrew said: "I am delighted to be standing as a candidate for UKIP, Britain's fastest-growing political party.

"More importantly, the only party which is willing to liberate the British people from the chains of the European Union. It is a great honour to be standing for UKIP and I will use every bit of I energy I possess to campaign tirelessly to give UKIP its first MP in Westminster.

"I have stood for parliament before and I know the effort required. Previously, I stood as a Conservative, but that party has let everybody down which is why I am now standing for UKIP. The Tories are now completely detached from the British people. They failed to give us the referendum that they promised on our EU membership which is now costing us in excess of £50million everyday.

"Immigration has significantly increased since the Coalition came to power in spite of their promises to the British people. Front line services are being cut affecting those who need our protection the most: the elderly, the seriously ill and the disabled. It is about time that the people of Britain were put first."

UKIP Leader Nigel Farage said: "Andrew is an excellent candidate. He fully grasps what matters to the people in this country and will fight tooth and nail for those in Feltham and Heston. UKIP are currently doing well in the polls in Greater London, often beating the Liberal Democrats. The time has come for a fresh voice in British politics and increasingly for many, UKIP is THAT voice."