CHINGFORD: Odds offered on name-change candidate (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

CHINGFORD: Odds offered on name-change candidate

12:26pm Tuesday 19th January 2010 in News By Sian Harrison

Mr None Of The Above, formerly Adam Osen

AN aspiring MP who changed his name to None of the Above in protest at the main politicial parties has the same chance of being elected as the Liberal Democrat candidate in his constituency, according one leading bookmakers.

As previously reported in the Guardian, 50-year-old Adam Osen changed his name by UK Deed Poll, with the intention of standing as an independent candidate in Chingford and Woodford Green.

After seeing the story, Ladbrokes opened a book on Mr Above becoming the next MP for the constituency.

The painter and decorator, who lives in Woodberry Way, Chingford, is currently being given odds of 100/1 to win the seat – the same as Liberal Democrat candidate, Geoff Seeff.

Conservative Iain Duncan Smith, who currently holds the seat with a majority of more than 10,000 votes, is the hot favourite to win with odds of 1/500.

Labour candidiate Catharine Arakelian has odds of 20/1.

Mr Above said he was “over the moon” with the odds.

“I'm absolutely gobsmacked,” he added. “I'm doing this to win - it's not a joke - so the fact someone else is taking me seriously enough, not only to give me odds, but to give me odds of finishing in joint-third place is great.

The married father-of-two said his decision to put himself forward as a candidate was triggered by the MPs expenses scandal and a sense of disillusionment with the main political parties.

He said: “I believe it's the job of an MP to listen to their constituents and represent them, not to tell them what to do. I don't think the main parties listen to people's views.

“The expenses thing, whether it was claims for lightbulbs or moat cleaning, showed some MPs believed they were entitled to it.

“But they are just doing a job and should be treated like anyone else doing a job.”

A spokesman for Ladbrokes said: "None Of The Above will have his work cut out overturning political heavyweight Iain Duncan Smith's majority.

"He's one of the more unusual candidates that we've priced up, but there has already been local interest at 100/1."

Liberal Democrat candidate Dr Geoffrey Seeff said: "I can't really comment on the bookies odds.

"They are nonsense really because they don't what any of the candidates are planning to do in this election."

Dr Seeff, who previously said he intends to complain about Mr Above's name change as it could mislead voters, said he had spoken to the independent candidate.

He said: "I regard it as a bit of fun on one hand.

"But there is a serious element because people are very angry about politicians generally.

"I have spoken to Mr Above and he does agree with many of the things I stand for."

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