David Kurten facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Kurten
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Kurten in 2016
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| Leader of the Heritage Party | |
| Assumed office September 2020 |
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| Member of the London Assembly for Londonwide |
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| In office 6 May 2016 – 6 May 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Stephen Knight |
| Succeeded by | Emma Best |
| UKIP portfolios | |
| 2016–2018 | Education |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 March 1971 Littlehampton, Sussex, England |
| Political party | Heritage Party (since September 2020) |
| Other political affiliations |
Brexit Alliance (2018–2021) UK Independence Party (2012–2020) |
| Alma mater | University of St Andrews University of Bath University of Southampton |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Website | https://www.davidkurten.net/ |
David Michael Kurten (born 22 March 1971) is a British politician. He has been the leader of the Heritage Party since September 2020. Before that, he was a member of the London Assembly from 2016 to 2021. He was first elected as a candidate for the UK Independence Party (UKIP). He later left UKIP in January 2020. He describes himself as a social conservative, which means he believes in traditional values in society.
Early Life and Education
David Michael Kurten was born in Littlehampton, Sussex, England, on 22 March 1971. His parents were Reginald and Patricia Kurten. He was raised by his single mother and his grandparents in Sussex.
He went to the University of St Andrews and earned a degree in chemistry in 1993. Later, he studied at the University of Bath in 1995 to become a teacher. In 1998, he completed a master's degree in chemistry at the University of Southampton.
Before becoming a politician, David Kurten taught chemistry. He taught in schools in the UK and in other countries. These countries included Botswana, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bermuda, and the United States. He taught from 1995 until 2016.
Political Journey
Starting with UKIP
David Kurten began his political career with the UK Independence Party (UKIP). In the 2015 general election, he ran for a seat in Parliament. He came in fifth place in his area.
In 2016, he was elected to the London Assembly. This assembly helps make decisions for London. He was one of two UKIP members elected at that time.
After a short time, the UKIP leader resigned. David Kurten thought about running for the leadership himself. However, he later decided not to and supported another candidate. After the new leader was chosen, Kurten became UKIP's spokesperson for education.
In the 2017 general election, he ran for Parliament again. He received 5.3% of the votes in his area. He also ran in the UKIP leadership election later that year and came in third.
In 2018, he stepped down from his role in UKIP. This was because he disagreed with the party's leader at the time. He returned to his role when a new leader took over. Later that year, he resigned again due to disagreements over the party's direction.
In December 2018, he and another politician formed a new group. It was called the Brexit Alliance group in the London Assembly. This happened after they both left the main UKIP group. He still remained a member of UKIP at that time.
In the 2019 general election, Kurten ran for Parliament one more time for UKIP. He received 1.7% of the votes.
Leading the Heritage Party
In the London Assembly, David Kurten often spoke about his beliefs. He supported traditional family values. He also campaigned for Brexit, which was the UK leaving the European Union. He disagreed with the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, on these issues.
In January 2020, David Kurten announced he would run as an independent candidate. He planned to run in the London mayoral and London Assembly elections. These elections were delayed until 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, Kurten started a new political party called the Heritage Party. It was officially registered in October of that year. In the 2021 mayoral election, he finished 15th. His party also ran for the London Assembly. They finished 13th and he was not re-elected to the Assembly.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, David Kurten expressed strong views. He opposed the lockdowns that were put in place. He also attended protests against the government's policies.
The Heritage Party continued to participate in elections. In a special election in Hartlepool in 2021, they received 1.6% of the votes. Kurten also ran in another special election in Old Bexley and Sidcup in December 2021. He finished ninth with 0.5% of the votes.
In 2023, he ran in a local council election. He came last in his ward. In the 2024 general election, he ran for Parliament again in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton. He finished last with 1.5% of the votes.
