British National Party Cllr Doug Ward contested the Town Ward by-election by representing the British National Party and offering a greater choice for the Town Ward residents.

The results of the local elections 2011 saw 61.4% of those eligible to vote choosing not to.

They didn’t vote for the Conservatives, they didn’t vote for Labour and they didn’t vote for the Green party candidate.
With complaints of electoral bullying during the postal vote round at the elections of 2011 it appears nothing has been learned to stamp out this practice.

During this by-election, 14 complaints of bullying of the electorate verging on coercion to influence the outcome of an election during the postal vote collection has seen the police and the electoral commission informed and the allegations being investigated.

Cllr Doug Ward stood on the belief that Councillors must work harder to make Scunthorpe a better place of opportunity and prosperity to strengthen our community, saying No to austerity and savage cuts, and Yes to the creation of real jobs for those who live here first and foremost.

The North Lincolnshire public health annual report 2011-2012 describes the Town Ward of Scunthorpe as having the highest percentage of Black & Minority Ethnics in North Lincolnshire, the highest levels of deprivation, the highest levels of crime, the highest levels of unemployment, the lowest levels of educational attainment and the lowest levels of life expectancy, together with an estimated 18 languages spoken.

“Whilst I can accept that the likelihood of me winning this by-election was very unlikely, I still believe it is important to represent the party and offer the electorate a choice, but until real outcomes are implemented to prevent the abuse of the postal vote system the more we shall see people simply refusing to engage with the process of democracy and continuing with their belief that their vote will not change anything. Whilst I wasn’t expecting to win, I am proud to have offered those people who did vote for me the opportunity to take part and I thank them for their vote”, said Cllr Doug Ward.

The result of the Town Ward by-election 2012
Haque Nawaz Kataria - Labour Party – 1141 votes
Abdul Wadud - Conservative Party – 856 votes
Douglas Ward - British National Party – 133 votes
Votes cast were 2144, 35.4%, 14 ballot papers spoilt.