Yarmouth Tory candidate drawn to town by its 'reputation'

James Clark, originally from Cheltenham, was announced as the new Tory candidate last week.

A former soldier and current reserves major, he previously battled for Jeremy Corbyn's Islington North seat in the 2017 and 2019 general elections.

He said he was drawn to the town by its reputation, having visited as a child, and would be based here throughout the campaign.

James Clark is Great Yarmouth's Conservative candidate for 2024. (Image: Conservative Party)He said he had put his name in the hat for the vacant seat because the town's stature was "second to none".

"It's a lovely part of the world," he said.

"I really love the sea and the beach but in all honesty, part of the appeal - what makes seven million odd people visit every year - is the tourism and Norfolk's beautiful scenery.

"I've been to Yarmouth as a child but it's not somewhere I have spent much time. But it is somewhere I will spend a lot of time in the future if I am successful on July 4.

"We'll buy a family home here, and during the campaign, I will be staying, living and breathing in Great Yarmouth."

Mr Clark said if he is elected, there will also be a return of in-person surgeries, which have not been held by Sir Brandon Lewis, who is stepping down.

READ MORE: Rupert Lowe standing in Great Yarmouth as Reform candidate

James Clark (centre) ran against Keith Angus (left) and Jeremy Corbyn for the Islington North seat in 2017. (Image: Keith Angus)

WHAT ARE HIS PRIORITIES?

Mr Clark visited Hopton and Belton on Saturday. He said he was committed to delivering on the £350m pledge to improve the James Paget Hospital and helping to transform Yarmouth into the UK's energy capital and improving infrastructure.

"It is time to get some finance from central government for an update to dual the Acle Straight," he said.

"The Conservatives have promised £350m of redevelopment into the James Paget. And frankly, Labour hasn't agreed to match that funding, so I'll make sure if I am elected to push that funding through.

READ MORE: Yarmouth Labour candidate vows to make high streets safer

James Paget University Hospital from the air. (Image: Mike Page)"I love the idea of improving productivity and generating wealth. With this flywheel, we can get Yarmouth going.

"My overriding ambition is to be the best member of parliament I can be for Great Yarmouth. It's as simple as that."

READ MORE: A retired Army major is Great Yarmouth's Green candidate

DEFENCE BACKGROUND

Mr Clark spent seven years with the British Army and served two tours in Afghanistan. 

Since leaving the Army full-time, he has been active with the reserves, most recently training officer cadets. He has also served as an advisor for the defence secretary Grant Shapps.

Secretary of state for defence Grant Schapps. He said Rishi Sunak's plans of re-introducing national service to 18-year-olds was a "fantastic idea".

"I've been inside the Ministry of Defence and I know how important it is that we have a reserve of people who have a military ethos," he said. 

"I currently train officer cadets in my role at an Officers' Training Corps, and I see the amazing leadership, practical skills and camaraderie that military training can deliver to young people."

"I am fully behind the idea of national service."

National Service previously existed in the UK from 1939 to 1960. Photo dated September 5, 1939. (Image: PA)

WHAT ABOUT HEMBSY EROSION?

Mr Clark said he visited the area on Friday and was made aware of its ongoing plight with coastal erosion and the village's fight for a change of criteria to enable governmental sea defence funding.

"It's a really complicated problem," he said. "Of course, putting in sea defences would affect the coast further down. 

"But for those people whose homes are going to be affected, this is their number one concern and it's something that as the local MP I will be taking very seriously and taking action on."

The Marrams access road collapsed following storms last year. Weeks later, five homes were demolished. (Image: Denise Bradley)WHO ELSE IS STANDING IN YARMOUTH ON JULY 4?

Mr Clark is looking to take over the position held by fellow Conservative Sir Brandon Lewis who has been Great Yarmouth's MP since 2010.

Labour's parliamentary candidate for Great Yarmouth, Keir Cozens. (Image: Keir Cozens)The town is a hotly-contested constituency, with Labour candidate Keir Cozens recently showing several shadow cabinet members around the area.

Meanwhile, Reform are standing one of their most high profile candidates there, with former Southampton FC chairman Rupert Lowe vowing to "slash immigration, cut tax and reward hard work".

Reform's Rupert Lowe hopes to become Great Yarmouth's next MP. (Image: Reform UK)The only candidate who has lived locally for longer than this election campaign is Bradwell's Trevor Rawson, who is the candidate for the Green Party.
Great Yarmouth's green candidate, Trevor Rawson. (Image: Trevor Rawson)