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.

PM's message

On 19 September 2014, David Cameron e-mailed:

"The people of Scotland have spoken. It is a clear result. They have kept our country of four nations together. Like millions of other people, I'm delighted. It would have broken my heart to see our United Kingdom come to an end. And that sentiment was shared by people not just across our country, but also around the world - because of what we've achieved together in the past and what we can do together in the future.

"So now it is time for our United Kingdom to come together, and to move forward. We have a chance - a great opportunity - to change the way the British people are governed, and change it for the better. Political leaders on all sides must work together to advance the interests of people in Scotland, as well as those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"Because it is absolutely right that a new and fair settlement for Scotland should be accompanied by a new and fair settlement that applies to all parts of the United Kingdom. I have long believed that a crucial part missing from this national discussion is England.

"We have heard the voice of Scotland - and now the millions of voices of England must not go ignored. So, just as Scotland will vote separately in the Scottish Parliament on their issues of tax, spending and welfare, so too England, as well as Wales and Northern Ireland, should be able to vote on these issues - and all this must take place in tandem with, and at the same pace as, the settlement for Scotland.

"This referendum has caught the imagination of people across the whole of our United Kingdom. Now we must look forward, and turn this into the moment when everyone - whichever way they voted - comes together to build a better, brighter future for our entire United Kingdom."

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.