A Conservative candidate standing in Manchester's local elections in May is already serving as a councillor elsewhere – 250 miles away in Bournemouth.
Norman Decent, who moved to South Manchester to live with his ex-wife 18 months ago, has continued serving as a councillor in the South of England. Although the couple are still married by Jewish law, they divorced 12 years ago, but plan to remarry in September after finding love again during the pandemic.
According to the Electoral Commission, there is nothing in electoral law preventing a councillor from being elected in two local authority areas. But the Tory councillor said he will resign from his other role if he is elected in Brooklands which Labour, the Lib Dems and the Greens are also contesting.
READ MORE: All the candidates standing in Manchester council local elections 2022 by ward
Senior Labour figures in Manchester have said the move 'makes a mockery of democracy', but the city's Conservatives say the situation is 'perfectly proper'.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the Conservative candidate said he has already been helping residents in Brooklands, while continuing to deal with issues in his Bournemouth council ward of Kinson. He said: "Since I've been in Manchester, I've dealt with 123 issues. I deal with everything that's comes my way – in Manchester or Bournemouth.
"I feel quite strongly about getting elected. I love my job – especially as you can help people who can't help themselves."
James Pearson, chairman of Manchester' Conservative Federation, said the Tories are 'chuffed' to have an experienced councillor standing in the city.
He revealed that the Federation has taken the 'unusual step' of offering him additional support and funding while providing people to help him campaign. And he denied that the Tories struggled to find candidates to put forward.
He said: "He's run a really great campaign and we're very much hoping he's the first Conservative councillor elected to Manchester council for a very long time. We've got the Labour Party a bit shaken and scared about somebody who is an experienced councillor and understands what it takes to serve the community."
All three seats in Brooklands are currently held by Labour councillors who have secured majorities of more than 800 votes at the last local elections. Sitting councillor Susan Cooley is standing for re-election in the ward this May.
The other candidates standing are Grace Buczkowska for the Green Party, Norman Decent for the Conservatives and Ellin Saunders for the Lib Dems.
Manchester Labour group secretary Pat Karney said: "Manchester and Brooklands residents are not a plaything for this Bournemouth councillor. The shameful sense of entitlement is truly shocking. This behaviour makes a mockery of democracy."
The Electoral Commission confirmed that there is nothing in electoral law preventing a person from being elected as a councillor in two local authority areas, provided they meet the relevant qualifications to stand for election.
Polls open on May 5, but people must be registered to vote by Thursday, April 14 with all applications for a postal vote due by 5pm on Tuesday, April 19. The election count and declaration of results will take place on Friday, May 6.
