A SINGLE man hoping to become Taunton Deane’s MP expects a backlash over his views on gay marriage when he goes on the campaign trail.

Bruce Gauld, 59, of Dulverton, who has announced he is standing as an Independent in the General Election in Taunton Deane, is campaigning for the repeal of same-sex marriage.

“It’s nonsense – marriage is gender specific between a man and a woman,” said Mr Gauld, who has no previous political experience.

“I expect to be called words like ‘bigot’, but I’m thick skinned.”

Mr Gauld, whose family moved to Somerset 50 years ago, does not currently work, but previous jobs include garage work in Norton Fitzwarren, a laboratory analyst with the Milk Marketing Board in Wellington, and portering at Taunton’s Castle Hotel.

He said: “I’ve decided to stand because we sit and listen to politicians and feel like throwing things at them.

“Most of my friends and family think I’m mad.

“Statistically speaking I haven’t any chance – if you get more than 200 votes theoretically you’ve done well. I hope to get more. That fact there’s no sitting MP come May 7 makes a difference.

“People have got to be aware I’m standing and then be aware of my policies and then they have to agree with them and not vote for the four main parties.”

Mr Gauld says his policies are “quite close to UKIP” – they include leaving the European Union; replacing the climate change act with one that involves a responsibility; setting immigration as low as possible; not replacing Trident; no increase to indirect taxes; and banning zero hours contracts.

Locally, he wants to see an end to large scale housing developments and wants the Somerset Levels to be looked after as they were in the past.

*Candidates who have already declared they are standing in the poll are Laura Bailhache (UKIP); Rachael Gilmour (LibDem); Neil Guild (Labour); Clive Martin (Green Party); Rebecca Pow (Conservative); and Mike Rigby (Independent). New Fathers 4 Justice are still deciding whether to contest the seat.