'I stood to be an MP at the general election while homeless'
'I stood to be an MP at the general election while homeless'
Wesley Milligan said he was left in limbo after his father died earlier this year.
A man who stood for election to Parliament despite becoming homeless during his campaigning says he wants to help other people who fall on hard times.
Wesley Milligan stood in his hometown of Mansfield in Nottinghamshire as an independent candidate in this month's general election.
Despite his situation, Mr Milligan decided to carry on with his bid for election, with a donor helping to pay the deposit he needed to stand.
He said he did not approach the local council to register his homelessness as he was "worried" it could affect his candidacy, with only a few close friends aware of what was happening.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
A man who stood for election to Parliament despite becoming homeless during his campaigning says he wants to help other people who fall on hard times.Wesley Milligan stood in his hometown of Mansfield in Nottinghamshire as an independent candidate in this month's general election.The seat was won back by Labour after seven years under the Conservatives, with Mr Milligan earning 335 votes and finishing seventh out of nine candidates despite his personal turmoil.The 32-year-old said he was grateful for the support of friends and family.
"Mr Milligan also said the level of support and accommodation for homeless people was a major concern, with some choosing to sleep rough for their own safety.
Despite his situation, Mr Milligan decided to carry on with his bid for election, with a donor helping to pay the deposit he needed to stand.He said he did not approach the local council to register his homelessness as he was "worried" it could affect his candidacy, with only a few close friends aware of what was happening.
"I had this choice to make where I [could] either invest a lot of time and energy into trying to get a place, trying to get a job whilst the election is around the corner, or I can just accept my homelessness for a while and run the campaign," he said.
Mr Milligan completed his campaign and made it to election night, with a charity helping him to find an outfit for the count itself.He said the response from people when they learned what he had been through was heartening.
"I'll probably have to come back to my tent after I've finished my shifts, hopefully save up a bit of money and put a deposit down on a place, but it's going to be difficult.
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At this point a lot of homeless people could run for president and be a viable candidate...
But the UK doesn't have a president.