Mayoral candidate Eric Mutch drops out of election race

A mayoral candidate has decided to drop out of the race to become Bristol's first elected leader - partly due to the costs involved.

Cafe worker Eric Mutch, who was going to change his name to Corrupt Thieving Lying B'stard, said he cannot afford the £500 deposit to be a candidate as well as the £750 to be included in an election brochure which is being produced by the city council.

Mr Mutch, 47, also has an issue over his address because he lives in Staple Hill which is outside the city boundary.

He said: "Although my home has a Bristol Postcode I live just outside the Bristol local authority area.

Floral Wedding Package £100

The Budding Florist

View details

Print voucher

Bridal hand tied bouquet (Roses)
2 Bridesmaids (Roses)
Groom & Best Man button holes (Roses)

Terms: Discounted rates apply to larger Bridal party requests.
Not to be used with any other offer.

Contact: 0117 2448228

Valid until: Tuesday, December 31 2013

"My plan has always been to move to within the boundary in order to register on the electoral roll, which would then qualify me to run for mayor.

"A few weeks ago I was about to move into a friend's house, in order to register on the electoral roll so that I could run but I found out that although I would be able to register in time to vote in the election I was too late to register to stand."

Mr Mutch said that as so many candidates were expected to stand, the amount of space he would be given in the brochure would not be enough to argue his case for everyone to receive an unconditional basic income.

He said: "The brochure is the only guaranteed publicity that my manifesto would get, especially as I would now no longer be invited to husting events either.

"Second and more importantly, I cannot justify spending £1250 of my money on the fee to be on the ballot paper and in the electoral address brochure."

He said that as as unconditional basic income was in the national manifesto of the Green Party, he suggested any of his voters could support mayoral candidate Daniella Radice.