A ‘Two-Horse Race’ Missing a Rider

The absence of David Butterfield, the Reform UK candidate for Garforth & Swillington, was a key talking point at both hustings events recently held in the ward to promote the forthcoming election of May 7th.  

 Political analysis and residents have increasingly viewed this election as a ‘two-headed horse race’ between the incumbent Garforth and Swillington Independent, Mark Dobson and the surging Reform UK challenge from David Butterfield.  

For Butterfield to skip the ward’s two most significant forums was described by some attendees as “a missed opportunity,” while others were less forgiving, calling it a “snub to the voters.” 

Butterfield wasn’t the only ones missing, the stage also lacked Alexander Bull (Green Party) and Rebecca Phillips (Liberal Democrats), leaving three empty chairs to face the public.  

These candidates also failed to appear at a second consecutive public debate last week. The absence has fuelled local frustration, particularity as this local election is described as a race for the Garforth and Swillington ward as a high-stake head-to-head between Dobson (Garforth & Swillington Independents) and Butterfield (Reform UK). 

Two Nights of No-Shows

The pattern began on Tuesday, 14th April, at the Great Preston Hustings.  Organised by the Great and Little Preston Parish Council and held at the Great Preston Village Hall, the event was intended to give residents in the southern part of the ward a chance to meet with the six contenders.  

The repeated absence of Butterfield has drawn the most scrutiny.  

As the primary challenger to the Garforth and Swillington Independents stronghold, his decision to skip both the Great Preston and Garforth events has left many voters wondering if Reform UK is avoiding direct public scrutiny in the ward’s most critical communities.  

In contrast, Dobson attended the hustings, using both nights to highlight his local track record. Following the conclusion of the two day ‘tour’ he also used the platform to highlight his disappointment at the no-shows and publicly thank the two candidates who did appear alongside him for both nights of debate. Peter Bentley (Conservative) and David Nagle (Labour). 

“Genuine thanks to David Nagle and Peter Bentley for debating and taking questions with me. Both were perfect gentlemen”, Dobson stated, adding that he was “struggling to understand” why his other rivals were absent from such vital community forums. 

Empty Seats: Empty Promises?  

With the election fast approaching, the image of those empty chairs may carry more weight than any manifesto at the ballot box on May 7th. 

As in a high-stakes two horse race, the winner might well be defined by their track record, their ability to talk policy and their willingness to show up at the starting gate.  

It is this reporter’s understanding that Butterfield has put out publicly that his nonattendance was down to being invited at short notice and having ‘prior commitments’. It is also understood that Dobson has offered to re-run the event at any time to his opponents’ liking up to the election.