A FORMER teacher hopes it will be second time lucky, as he aims to win a seat in Parliament.
Barrie Thomas, 69, failed to win enough votes, when he stood for the Referendum Party for the Bexleyheath and Crayford seat in 1997. Now he has a second chance to reach Westminster, as the UK Independence Party's chosen candidate for Erith and Thamesmead at the next General Election.
Mr Thomas, who trained at Erith College, was born in the constituency and has lived in Barnehurst for 30 years.
He has promised to campaign on a host of national and local issues but says tackling crime must be a priority.
Father-of-one Mr Thomas said: "I do not like going into my town centre at certain times because of disorder, it shouldn't be like that."
Erith and Thamesmead is currently held by Labour MP John Austin, with a majority of more than 11,000.
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