Novelist and East Devon resident Hilary Mantel has spoken out in favour of East Devon Independent parliamentary candidate Claire Wright.

Ms Mantel who has just returned from a trip to the US backed Ms Wright in the 2015 election in a column in a national magazine. Today she has issued a statement of her own in favour of Claire:

“Claire Wright is the candidate who will speak up for Devon East – she stands as an Independent, and that means she is free to speak with a strong and genuine voice on issues that affect all of us in our everyday lives. She is local, energetic, knowledgeable, and has a real chance of going to Westminster – if local people will come out and support her on election day. If you want a different kind of politics, do something different to get it. Don’t waste your vote, give it to Claire Wright: trust a candidate with a clear vision for our unique part of England.”

Responding to this endorsement Ms Wright says:

“It has been a completely amazing week for my campaign, but this news tops it all for me. Hilary Mantel is a hugely respected and really talented writer. I am so proud that she is backing me in such a public way. I am sure she knows what it means to me!”

This is the latest in a series of boosts for Ms Wright’s campaign: on Wednesday, the leading tactical voting website Tactical2017 endorsed her as the best East Devon candidate to defeat the Conservatives. Claire is currently the only Independent candidate in the country to be endorsed by Tactical2017.

Earlier in the week bookies William Hill confirmed Ms Wright as the official opposition in East Devon with odds of 9/2 and the only credible alternative to the Conservatives. And earlier this month Exeter City player David Wheeler also invited followers of his newspaper column to “rally behind the Independent Claire Wright” in East Devon.

Event Diary

Sunday 21st May, 7pm Q&A with Claire at the Grapevine Brewhouse, 2 Victoria Road, Exmouth, EX8 1 DL, 7pm.

Friday 26th May Cranbrook Hustings – details to be confirmed.