Right-wing political party Restore Britain has announced ex-Tory Don Whitaker as its parliamentary candidate for Burnley.
Councillor Whitaker, who represents Whittlefield with Ightenhill at Burnley Council, is the party’s only elected representative in Lancashire, after defecting from the Conservatives in May after having won his seat for the party in 2024.
It means he is due to fight for the seat at the next general election, currently due in the summer of 2029.
He has outlined six priorities for Burnley: safer neighbourhoods, protecting family homes from HMOs, better roads, a cleaner environment, recreational facilities for all residents, and financial competence on the council.
He said: "I'm standing for Parliament because what I have done for Whittlefield with Ightenhill is what this country needs more of.
"People here are proud of their country, and they should be able to be proud of their own street too.
"Clean, safe and well kept.
"That is what I am fighting for.
"At council level I can only ask for protection against HMOs, and ask again.
"In Parliament, I can change the rules.
"I am not prepared to watch this country be run down one street at a time."
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Cllr Whitaker claims road improvements in Lakeland Way, Ighten Road, Bramley Avenue, and Pendle Way have been fixed following his campaigning, and that he has joined local litter-pickers and council officers on repeated clear-ups.
On recreation, he claimed he helped secure the new tennis and basketball courts in Ighten Road, and has just secured more than £50,000 for a children's cycle track and boules courts on the Racca beside them.
Labour's Oliver Ryan is currently the town's MP, after winning the seat in 2024 from Tory incumbent Antony Higginbotham.
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