Henry Bolton OBE – former Liberal Democrat and Party Leader of UKIP – has joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Henry has had a widespread career spanning the military, the police, international relations and politics. Henry served in the Royal Hussars and subsequently in the Territorial Army, rising to the rank of Captain, and later joined Thames Valley Police where he was awarded an award for outstanding bravery. He was a District Administrator in Kosovo, Director of Field Operations for the international ceasefire operations in Macedonia, and Senior Adviser to the Secretary General of the world’s largest inter-governmental security organisation, the OSCE. Henry subsequently led joint UK/US civil/military teams for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Afghanistan, and headed the European Union’s crisis response team in Ukraine. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2013 for services to international security.
Henry Bolton comments:
“Our country desperately needs a political party that places the interests of the United Kingdom and the British people first, understands that government has to provide the infrastructure and services to empower a vibrant economy and society; a party that refuses to sell our strategic assets to foreign interests and, above all, a party of integrity and honesty, that practices democracy, is interested in the details so crucial to success in delivering what is promised; a party that is robust on immigration and borders; a party that we can trust because it works for the greater good, not just its own.
Well, we do have such a party… and so I’m very pleased to have joined the SDP. I shall do all I can to support William, his team and the party’s candidates to get to where they are needed i.e. in elected office around the country, including Westminster.”
SDP Chair Stephen Balogh comments: “As the SDP continues to grow in profile and stature, so we are seeing many with deep expertise and experience choosing to join our party, whether they are culturally conservative or on the traditional left. Henry Bolton receives a warm welcome from us all.”
SDP Leader William Clouston comments: “We are delighted to have Henry Bolton on board. Henry brings with him a wealth of experience in the fields of defence, diplomacy and foreign affairs. And in an increasingly unstable world, Britain’s security is paramount. Henry’s expertise will be invaluable to the SDP and I look forward to working with him in developing robust policy aimed at protecting our nation and its people.”
