Peter Sceats is the Reform UK candidate for the Bethnal Green and Stepney Constituency.
Peter Sceats was born to a family in Bethnal Green, specifically on Wilmot Street, with parents who were publicans. He played a significant role in the international coal market by founding the commodity price indices that underpin it.
Until May 2020, Sceats served as the Head of Risk Management for the world's largest energy company. Currently, he works primarily as an expert witness in energy litigation while also managing a small family gin brand.
Sceats has deep ties to his community. His cousin, Lillian, was a victim of the Bethnal Green Tube Disaster.
In response, he collaborated with the Stairway to Heaven Charity to raise funds for the monument in Bethnal Green Gardens.
Initially a supporter of the Referendum Party, Sceats actively campaigned for Vote Leave during the EU referendum in 2016. In March 2021, he authored the "Fairness in Publicly Funded Salaries" petition, advocating for a salary cap on all publicly funded agencies in the UK, setting the cap at the level of the Prime Minister's salary.
Sceats believes the traditional political divide of Left vs. Right is outdated, viewing the current landscape as a struggle between common sense and a "woke, climate-obsessed, tax-hiking elite." He aligns with Reform UK, which he sees as embodying common sense.
Sceats promises his constituents hard work, efficiency, and compassion if elected.
Reform UK presents itself as a political alternative to the traditional two-party system in Britain, criticizing both the Conservative and Labour parties for their perceived failures. The party positions itself as a champion of common sense, aiming to address the numerous crises it perceives in British society, from immigration and public spending to healthcare and energy policies.
Reform UK proposes a strict limit on non-essential immigration, arguing that it will alleviate pressure on housing, public services, and wages, and protect British culture and values. The party plans to implement a robust strategy to prevent illegal immigration, including detaining and deporting illegal migrants and ending health tourism and immediate access to benefits for new arrivals.
The economic strategy includes significant tax cuts aimed at boosting the income of the working class and incentivizing small businesses. Key measures include raising the income tax threshold, reducing corporation tax for small and medium-sized enterprises, and abolishing certain business taxes to encourage investment and economic growth.
Reform UK seeks to eliminate NHS waiting lists and proposes tax breaks for healthcare workers to address staff shortages. The party advocates for using private healthcare capacity to alleviate the burden on the NHS, suggesting a voucher system for patients facing long wait times.
A controversial aspect of their platform is the rejection of Net Zero carbon goals, which the party claims are economically damaging. Reform UK intends to revive the domestic oil and gas industries, reduce reliance on renewable energy subsidies, and explore new nuclear technology without the constraints of current environmental regulations.
The party pledges to increase police numbers, implement zero tolerance policies on crime, and expedite the deportation of foreign criminals. It also aims to reform the justice system by mandating life sentences for repeat violent offenders and enhancing the budget for criminal justice.
Reform UK calls for significant constitutional reforms, including leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, reforming the House of Lords, and introducing a proportional representation voting system. These changes are aimed at making Britain's political system more democratic and accountable.
Reform UK’s platform is built on a foundation of radical change across multiple sectors of government and society. The party seeks to dismantle what it views as failed policies and replace them with a framework that prioritizes British sovereignty, cultural identity, and economic independence.