‘Who are you petitioning – haddock?’ Tory MP launches bizarre fish and chip shop campaign

A Tory councilor has launched a bizarre campaign to open a fish and chip shop in Uxbridge town centre, despite previously voting against it.

Steve Tuckwell, MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip and Hillingdon South Ruislip ward, posted a campaign video on social media urging voters to “bring support” in the city center. A home”.

Tuckwell said a chip shop in the heart of Boris Johnson’s former constituency would “support our high streets, support businesses and help the local economy”.

“We have a fish and chip shop in Cowley and one near St Andrew’s Park, but not in Uxbridge city centre. That’s why I’m launching a campaign to get the fish and chip shop in Uxbridge There’s a fish and chip shop opening in the city centre, but I need your support to do that.”

But the campaign clip, which has now been viewed more than 6 million times on X/Twitter, has caused confusion.

Food critic Jay Rayner said the article “seems weird.”

“How do you campaign for a new fish and chip shop?” he asked. “Who are you petitioning? Haddock? Until you click on the link and realize it’s just a data scraping exercise on behalf of the Conservative Party.”

Another , we need a potato chip.”

One Uxbridge resident added: “Are you kidding me? Libraries are closing, hospitals are collapsing, Uxbridge Police Station is still closed and you think your time is better spent getting chips Is it closer to your home?

It was also reported that Mr Tuckwell voted down a proposal to open a fish and chip shop in the town in 2019.

Former Hillingdon Labor councilor Kerri Prince said: “Steve attended a Hillingdon Council planning meeting where they heard about opening fish and chips in Uxbridge town center store application. He voted against it.”

Council meeting minutes show the application was rejected in part due to “concerns about the potential for noise and odor”.

There is no specific mention of Mr Tuckwell’s vote in the minutes, but the minutes indicate the rejection of the application was unanimous.

The Conservative MP posted a link to a petition page where people can register their support for the fish and chip shop by registering their name, email address and postcode.

A statement on the petition page reads: “I consent to Steve Tuckwell using the contact information I provided to keep me updated on this and other issues via email and phone calls until further notice. “

Mr Tuckwell won the seat with a majority of just 495 votes in a by-election held in July 2023 following the resignation of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The councilor has been contacted for comment.