‘I’ve Never Liked The Place’: Backlash For Tory Tunbridge Wells Candidate Iain Dale Over Past Comments About Town

Tunbridge Wells resident and Tory candidate Iain Dale, who announced his candidacy for the seat on Tuesday, is facing backlash after a 2022 podcast clip resurfaced in which he said he “never liked” the area and “would happily live somewhere else.”

Dale quit his role as a LBC presenter to launch his bid to succeed MP Greg Clark in the Tory stronghold. Clark is set to step down.

In the old clip, from a 2022 episode of the podcast For The Many, Dale told co-host and former Labour MP Jacqui Smith: “I have lived in Tunbridge Wells since 1997, slightly against my will in that my partner comes from Tunbridge Wells and can’t really imagine living anywhere else.”

He added: “I’ve never liked the place, still don’t, and would happily live somewhere else.”

In the wake of his announcement, social media users have circulated other clips of Dale storming off set on Good Morning Britain during a debate and footage of his tussle with an anti-nuclear protester in 2013.

Labour’s candidate for the seat, Hugo Pound, criticised Dale, saying, “Tunbridge Wells wants a change of government more now than ever before. Iain Dale doesn’t get it.”

Despite the challenges, Byline Times reports that LBC appears to have left the door open for Dale’s return if his political ambitions do not materialise.

Senior managing editor Tom Cheal told the publication: “I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ve heard of Iain on LBC. We thank him for his massive contribution to the station.”

Listen above on For The Many.