'˜I'll be back': County councillor for Skegness Robin Hunter-Clarke to step down

Coun Robin Hunter-Clarke, who represents Skegness South, has vowed he will be back, but will be focusing on a new role as chief of staff to UKIP in the National Assembly for Wales.

He described his decision to step down as an “emotional moment” having been elected to Skegness Town Council at the age of 18, while still studying at Skegness Grammar School.

Coun Hunter-Clarke, 24, said in a statement addressing residents: “For all of my adult life I have been a councillor in Lincolnshire.

“It has been a privilege to have served you and the town I was brought up in and love.

“The time has come for me however to step down to get more life experience doing other things. I like to think I have made an impact in some way.

“I also almost became your MP at the 2015 General Election and I have always pledged I will be back to fight the Boston and Skegness seat at the next election, so watch this space.”

In looking back at his political career in Lincolnshire he said: “The Lincolnshire/Skegness political establishment certainly never saw me coming.

“I shook things up, I challenged those who had been there for many years doing nothing, I represented the residents who elected me and I did my best as an opposition member!

“I led the biggest political gains any new party has ever made in the 2015 local elections in Lincolnshire. We became the biggest party on Skegness Town Council, the main opposition on East Lindsey District Council, and the main opposition on Boston Borough Council.

“The county has many hardworking UKIP councillors and that achievement I’m very proud of – every area virtually has someone from our party they can contact for help.”

Coun Hunter-Clarke said there were many people in Skegness he would like to thank, including the Mayor, Coun Dick Edginton.

He said: “Although still in the Conservative Party, he mentored me in my early days and I would not be where I am today if it were not for Coun Dick Edginton.

“From Don and Sue Ransome in Boston, to Danny Brookes and Mark Dannatt in Skegness - you have all been a tower of strength, and without you I would have crumbled under the pressure.

“Politics is my passion, and I continue to fight for Britain to become a self-governing sovereign nation once again.

“For now, I wish you all well while I head off to Wales for a little while. I look forward to seeing you all again some time, and I am only too happy to hear from you. You can always contact me by visiting my website: www.robinhunterclarke.com I’ll be back!”