In the second of Island Echo’s interviews with those standing for election as the Member of Parliament for the Isle of Wight, independent Brexit candidate Daryll Pitcher has his say.
Daryll comes from a family with Island roots (his mother was born in Sandown). He moved to the Isle of Wight aged 9 and attended Carisbrooke High School. Daryll then worked for some years in the County Press shop, before becoming retail manager with the RSPCA on the Isle of Wight.
In 2014, Daryll’s interest in British independence led him to become constituency manager for Nigel Farage. He later worked for Mike Hookem MEP in the European Parliament. Daryll stood for UKIP in the 2017 General Election. He also served on the Isle of Wight Council for four years as member for Wootton.
Why stand as a pro-Brexit independent?
Daryll originally intended to support Peter Wiltshire of the Brexit Party in the 2017 General Election, and offered to be his campaign manager. However, when Nigel Farage decided the Brexit Party would not oppose sitting Conservative candidates, and Wiltshire withdrew from the contest, Daryll thought he had no option but to stand to give Islanders the opportunity to vote for a ‘real’ Brexit candidate.
Daryll said:
“I’m only standing because the Brexit Party candidate stood down. I’m not doing this for Daryll Pitcher. Circumstances have forced me into the limelight.”
What’s wrong with Boris’ Withdrawal Agreement?
“Boris’ Brexit isn’t real Brexit because there are clauses to keep us trapped in BRINO (Brexit in Name Only). Boris’ deal keeps us under the jurisdiction of the ECJ (European Court of Justice) both during the transition period and after. We shall be stuck with the Common Fisheries Policy and EU Foreign Policy.
“The European Union will be able to extend the transition period unilaterally.”
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Why not vote for Bob Seely to get Brexit done?
“Bob didn’t do anything in the referendum campaign. He voted for May’s deal three times. He also voted to extend Article 50.
“I have heard complaints that Bob doesn’t have much time for his constituents. He isn’t accessible. He doesn’t do what Islanders want him to.
“Bob spends too much time trying to climb the greasy pole.”
Aren’t you splitting the Brexit vote?
“Even if the 62 per cent that voted for Brexit on the Island was evenly split, we’d still get 31 per cent each. That’s far more than Labour have managed since 1964.”
Can an independent win on the Isle of Wight?
“Independents always struggle. But I wouldn’t say I haven’t got a chance. I have had a positive reaction from core leavers and I will get a certain amount of support from Brexit Party voters.”
Daryll on UKIP
Daryll was a member of UKIP until a few months ago. Daryll claimed what he regarded as the ‘obsession’ of the former leader, Gerard Batten, with controversial anti-Islam activist, Tommy Robinson, was the reason for his leaving the party. Daryll said of his leaving UKIP:
“I have nothing against Tommy Robinson. A lot of what he says is right. However, the way he says it alienates people. Some of his actions also alienate people.
“I like Gerard. He’s a good man but wouldn’t listen to advice.
“The current leader, Pat Mountain, tries very hard, but she’s inexperienced.”
Devolution for the Isle of Wight
When asked whether he had any policies beyond ‘hard’ Brexit, Daryll replied:
“ I’m a local person, keen to deliver for the Island.
“I would be in favour of the devolution of powers to the Isle of Wight, so that we would be free to act for ourselves. If you can’t spend money on what you actually need then it isn’t much use.
People on the Island know what their priorities are.”
Devolution for the Island? So, yet another bloody layer of beaurocracy, yet another drain down which our taxes would pour. This man is clearly an imbecile.