Giles Watling

Tory Giles Watling opposing UKIP's Douglas Carswell at the Clacton by-election

Giles Watling (born 18 February 1953) is the Conservative Party candidate in the Clacton by-election on 9 October 2014. A Frinton Town Councillor and Tendring District Councillor, Giles Watling was selected at an Open Primary that was held in Clacton on 11 September 2014.

The Clacton by-election was caused by the resignation on 28 August 2014 of Tory MP Douglas Carswell who defected to the UK Independence Party and intends to stand as the UKIP candidate for the seat.

Actor

Giles Watling started his career as a child actor in 1962 in the long-running TV series "Gideon’s Way" as Malcolm Gideon. Since those early days he has worked in a wide variety of media as producer, director and actor. He is probably best known to the public for his performances in British sit-coms such as "How’s Your Father", "You’re Only Young Twice", "Keep It In The Family", "Allo Allo" and the vicar Oswald in Carla Lane’s "Bread". His father, Jack Watling, starred in more than 50 films, including "The Power Game" in 1965.

Politician

Bernard Jenkin MP for Harwich supporting Giles Watling in his by-election campaign

Giles Watling was first elected as a Tory local councillor in 2007 at the age of 54. He is a Frinton Town Councillor and a Tendring District Councillor. On 11 September 2014, in his first foray into national politics, 61-year-old Watling was selected out of a choice of just two candidates, both vetted by Conservative Party headquarters, at a US-style Open Primary meeting attended by around 240 residents. It was picketed by a group of UKIP supporters from the north-east, who had travelled down by minibus to express their delight that Nigel Farage's insurgent party seems to be on course to win its first parliamentary election at Clacton. Watling said:

"It’s an honour and great privilege to be selected. I’ve served as a councillor for seven years. I care passionately about this area and we’re going to lift it, we’re going to take it somewhere else."

On Saturday 13 September 2014, Bernard Jenkin MP for Harwich joins Giles Watling campaigning in Frinton's Connaught Avenue where they are pictured with Barnie, the Irish Wolf Hound.

Other activities

Giles Watling is a Trustee director of the Royal Theatrical Fund and has formerly run the Frinton Summer Theatre. He is a keen sailor and charity fund-raiser.