WE meet the Green candidate for the South West Wiltshire constituency.

HE’S gone from pulling pints to politics but Green Party candidate Phil Randle is hoping his down-to-earth personality will help him secure votes in the election.

Born and bred in Bath, it was the countryside that drew Mr Randle to Wiltshire 30 years ago. Having been landlord of Bath pub The Assembly Inn for a number of years he decided to up sticks to Westbury where he ran The Ludlow Arms with his former wife. 

For 22 years he also worked at Apetito in Trowbridge, formerly known as Waldens Wiltshire Farm Foods, where he had a varied career, doing everything from rolling pastry and quality assurance to working at the microbiology lab and training new employees.

Now working front of house at a Warminster restaurant, he feels his people skills give him the edge over the other South West Wiltshire candidates.

“I feel I do relate to people, I listen,” Mr Randle said. “If you think about politics and people, the two are inseparable, so I feel I have a natural affinity as a people person.”

The 62-year-old who lives in Springfield Road with his partner Liz and eight-year-old cat Cow, has always been a strong believer in politics.

In the 1970s, he worked for the MoD in Bath and was a member of the clerical trade union the Civil and Public Servants Association, where he initially supported the Labour party.

"I was a Labour supporter, not a strong active member but very supportive,” he said. “But they have moved too far to the right for me."

After some soul searching Mr Randle joined the Greens.

“For me it’s the right party,” he said. “I’ve been searching my soul to find a party that fitted my beliefs and my passion for people and the Green Party just jumps out time and time again.”

Mr Randle said the election process had come as a pleasant surprise. He thought there would be a lot of bickering, but despite not always agreeing, the candidates are professional and friendly to each other.

If elected he wants to look into funding cuts facing the RUH Hopper service, music funding in schools and the closure of Westbury hospital.

And when Mr Randle is not speaking to voters, he can be found riding his motorbike and listening to rock, classical and jazz music.

FACT FILE

Age: 62

Address: Springfield Road, Westbury

Occupation: restaurant front of house team member

Marital status: Divorced but in new relationship

Children: Josephine, 28, Matthew, 27 and Timothy, 22

Standing in South West Wiltshire are:

Labour: George Aylett

UKIP: Matthew Brown

Liberal Democrat: Trevor Carbin

Conservative: Andrew Murrison

Green: Phil Randle