Bursnall would find it 'difficult' to run against Afriyie
Richard Cutcher • Published 3 Apr 2012 14:00
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Former Royal Borough mayor, Cat Bursnall, has 'no interest' in joining national politics
COUNCILLOR Tom Bursnall has not ruled out running for Parliament, but admitted he would find it "difficult" to run against Windsor's MP Adam Afriyie.
In an exclusive interview with The Observer, married Royal Borough councillors Tom and Catherine Bursnall explained in depth their decision to defect from the ruling Conservative Party to the UK Independence Party after the Budget announcement last month, and what the future holds for both of them.
While former Royal Borough Mayor, Catherine professes to have no interest in becoming involved with national politics, Tom is more coy what the future will bring.
Asked if he has ambitions to run for national government, Tom said: "I wouldn't rule it out. We have got our own business and a baby. But I would not feel comfortable running against Adam in Windsor. I think Adam was very disappointed when he knew we were leaving. I know him personally very well and I have loyalty to him. I don't envisage myself standing against Adam, even if UKIP asked me too.
"And Adam is quite sound on the Europe issues too."
The couple support UKIP's key aim to get the country out of the European Union and described it as the "worst return on investment ever seen in business or politics".
Speaking about the couple's decision to defect together, Catherine said the pair "couldn't win" whichever way they did it.
She said: "You can't win. If we move together people suggest that we both have to think exactly the same way and one of us is just following the other.
"But if one of us had moved and the other stayed, it would have been reported there was a rift in the marriage and we had fallen out over it.
"Tom is maybe a little bit more radical than me. But our ideals and ideology are very similar and I think would be the same in any marriage."
This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 03 Apr 12
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