Kelvin MacKenzie: former Sun newspaper editor to stand as Surrey councillor | London Evening Standard

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Kelvin MacKenzie: former Sun newspaper editor to stand as Surrey councillor Apology: Former Sun editor Kelvin Mackenzie in Westminster todayes

Former editor of The Sun Kelvin MacKenzie is standing as a candidate in local elections in Surrey this May.

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Mr Mackenzie plans to stand as an independent Elmbridge Borough councillor in the St George’s Hill ward of Weybridge.

A conservative councillor and two St George’s Hill Independent councillors currently represent the ward.

Mr Mackenzie, who has lived in the Lockestone Estate in Weybridge with his wife for nine years, said he wants to shake up car parking charges in a leaflet sent out to people living in the area.

Independent councillor: the leaflet being circulated to candidates in Weybridge

The leaflet said his first campaign would be to cut parking by 20 per cent, but bump up charges for commuters who drive into the borough to use carparks.

Ticket machines would be adapted to allow for “locals only” tickets and people would be granted a sticker to give them the discount.

Mr Mackenzie first stood as a candidate for the St George’s Hill Independents in 2008, where he came second to the Conservatives.

He said: “I loved their passion for the area and decided I would like to get involved.

“Local residents know that with my track record I can get things done for them.”