A Reform candidate says the party wants to provide an alternative to the Conservatives on the right-wing – and thinks he could top the Tories at the ballot box come July 4.

Martin Hess said he wants to build momentum for the party as he looks to contest Peter Kyle’s Hove seat at the General Election.

The 64-year-old said that while Brighton and Hove may prove difficult territory for the party his was the best voice to lead on the city’s issues – and prove that Reform isn’t “a bunch of swivel-eyed nutters”.

The former IT specialist said: “I thought this was difficult territory for Reform but I’m surprised how the momentum has built.

“Most people have never heard of Reform because most people don’t give a toss about politics until the election comes through.

Martin HessMartin Hess (Image: Martin Hess)

“My ambition is to come second over the Conservatives in Hove and Portslade. I think nationally there's a chance we will poll higher than every party other than Labour.

“Reform is not a bunch of swivel-eyed nutters.”

Born in Brighton, Mr Hess studied at Cardinal Newman school in Hove and went on to work in IT, including five years at computer company HP.

In the city, he said his key issues centred around tackling sewage as a keen sea swimmer and opposing building in Benfield Valley as part of the King Alfred Leisure Centre project.

Mr Hess stood for the Conservative party in Sheffield in the 1997 election which saw a Labour landslide under Tony Blair, but he said the situation this year is different despite many similarities.

He said: “The difference between now and ’97 was before there was enthusiasm for New Labour.

“I don’t see that same enthusiasm this time around – there’s the same antipathy towards the Conservative Party, if anything it’s a bit stronger.

“I do think Reform is an alternative.”

Nationally, Mr Hess accepted that Reform has failed to connect properly with younger voters – particularly on issues such as immigration.

He argued that immigration was “the biggest issue facing the Western world” but that his stance was “nothing to do with race” and more about a failure of infrastructure to support a growing population.

Mr Hess also opposed higher taxation on the rich and called for a reorganisation of the NHS rather than “just throwing money at the problem”.

Hove and Portslade is expected to be a safe seat for Labour’s Peter Kyle with the Conservatives, Lib Dems and the Greens all putting up candidates. Independent candidate Tanushka Marah is also standing.