A FORMER soldier from Salisbury who beat the Liberal Democrat candidate into last place in a key by-election in Barnsley yesterday has spoken to the Journal of his hopes for the future.
Labour MP Dan Jarvis, 38, who has served in Afghanistan and Iraq and worked at HQ Land Forces in Wilton until it moved to Andover last year, said the result sends a clear message to the coalition that people have been left disaffected by cuts that are “too deep and too quick”.
The by-election, prompted by the conviction of former Labour MP Eric Illsley for dishonest expenses claims, saw the Lib Dems, who came second in May’s general election, beaten not only by Labour but also by the Conservatives, UKIP, the BNP and an independent candidate.
Illsely held Barnsley Central with a majority of just over 11,000 in the general election, but resigned in January after pleading guilty to falsely claiming £14,000 in parliamentary expenses. He was jailed for a year.
* For the full interview with Mr Jarvis, see the March 10 edition of the Salisbury Journal.
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