Yahoo Finance Election candidate who changed name to 'Mr Clacton Brexit' is banned from using it on ballot paper
A general election candidate who changed his name to ‘Mr Clacton Brexit’ in order to make sure Brexit remains a top priority has been banned by his local council from using it on official ballot papers.
Andrew Morgan, 52, changed his name in protest after Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said the party would not be standing in 317 Conservative-held seats including Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.
Mr Farage made the announcement after previously promising to field candidates in all 600 UK seats in the forthcoming December 12 election - if Boris Johnson did not scrap his current Brexit deal.
The ex-soldier became 'Andrew Morgan Clacton Brexit' by deed poll and will stand for election in Clacton as an independent.
But election bosses have barred the father-of-two from using the name on ballot papers because it does not comply with the rules.
He will now stand under his birth name of Andrew Morgan.
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Mr Morgan said: “They have accepted my papers, but have said they don’t agree with my argument over the name.
“They are not going to allow it, so I’m going to stand as Andrew Morgan.
“With the law of deed poll if you don’t use the name – sending off a passport or driving licence – within three to six months then its not classes as you taking that name.
“It was a bit of a waste of time, but I’ve made a point.”
On Monday, Mr Farage said of his decision to pull out of the Tory-held seats: "We've decided ourselves that we absolutely have to put country before party and take the fight to Labour.”
His decision comes after polls showed support for the Brexit Party have plummeted since the election was called.
