This article was originally published in December 2021.

Charlie Sansom was until recently Chairman of South Basildon Conservatives.

Back in May I’d just lost my first election. Well, actually two. I stood for both Basildon Borough Council and Essex County Council – at the same time – and got demolished by the local Independent Goliath.

It wasn’t my time but the campaign was a fantastic success for the South Basildon branch, of which I was chair until very recently, with enough gains to take back control of Basildon Council.

So, how had it gone from a great campaign, with Conservatives considering me to be a talented future asset to the party, to me quitting live on radio with the BBC?

It all really began to unravel in September. Sajid Javid and Nadhim Zahawi had both spoken about two things I could never live with: vaccinating children and vaccine passports.

As a father myself, the audacity of a minister explaining that if an agreement couldn’t be met with the parent(s) over whether children between 12-15 years old should be vaccinated would be decided by the children themselves was utterly astounding.

Javid has since backtracked but the foul taste in my mouth was still there. I realised at that moment that I did not trust my own Government to do the right thing. I was alarmed, but ultimately dismissed by those in the party I’d tried speaking to about it.

I was made to feel as though my concerns were invalid, that vaccinating children against the will of a parent would never happen. The same was said about vaccine passports.

These interactions led me on a path of vigilant critical analysis of everything the Government did. I was looking for any indication of a reduction of civil liberties, an overreach, or an excuse to play with our freedoms.

Sadly, I was proven right by the Prime Minister on December 8, when the tyrannical proposals for a medical apartheid in the UK were put firmly on the table.

I believed I now had a choice to make; stay with a party that believes in unscientific, discriminatory vaccine passports or leave knowing that a “conversation” about “mandatory vaccinations” really meant that’s what’s coming.

When I announced my resignation on the BBC I wasn’t expecting the national interest in this particular story to be so high. I certainly didn’t expect major news outlets to want to hear my views on primetime TV at Sky, the BBC, GB News and Radio 4.

It was only after appearing on these shows and seeing news articles written about me alongside a flurry of tweets and Instagram messages that my gut feeling, my moral decision to stand by my principles was one that I can only hope resonated with millions of people around the country that heard my thoughts on both television and radio.

The news clips of me criticising the Downing Street parties being shared on Twitter and Instagram are being shared by those that used to vote Tory. They’ll probably never vote Tory again.

Many of them say that it’s because of this Government they don’t trust vaccines anymore; they fear Omicron will be used for another lockdown and many will boldly ignore any new restriction measures.

It’s within these comments that I feel the public’s anger tinged with a desire for moral leadership that some have given up hope of ever seeing again. Who could blame them?

No government should ever assume the authority to inject a drug into our bodies without our consent, nor should any government ostracise those that refuse to give that consent.

Vaccine passports will do nothing to stop the spread of a virus that has spread in countries under total lockdown. If anything, they will alienate a majority vaccinated population that were promised their civil liberties a long time ago.

Protests will inevitably be seen as the last resort for the emotionally terrorised; those who can no longer be motivated by another dangled-carrot dressed as the freedom no politician ever had the right to take away.

And I suppose that’s the real question people need to ask themselves: Are we a free nation anymore? Were we ever free?

At the start of the pandemic we were told it would be ‘two weeks to flatten the curve’. Nearly two years later, and a huge rebellion on the horizon, I’m not sure this Government will last another two weeks.

Charlie Sansom is a British entrepreneur, political commentator, and former Conservative Party Chairman best known for resigning live on the BBC in protest against government overreach. That defining moment was not a political stunt — it was the natural result of a life built on principle, conviction, and a refusal to stay silent in the face of hypocrisy.

Charlie’s path began not in politics, but on stage. As a child, he performed stand-up comedy with his Grandad in local pubs and sang at family gatherings. Inspired by the charisma and presence of entertainers like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, he dreamt of the spotlight — and then he built a business around it. Charlie founded EMS Artists, a boutique entertainment agency focused on talent-first and high-paying gigs. As a DJ and performer, he played at major venues and festivals, including Bournemouth 7s, where he entertained crowds of over 30,000. His music has been streamed on Spotify and Apple Music, and he’s shared stages with names like Example, Artful Dodger, and Professor Green.

Subscribe now

But behind the music was always a political mind.

From an early age, Charlie was deeply engaged in political conversation. He challenged teachers on government policy before most teenagers understood what Parliament was, and although nominated to serve as a Youth MP, he declined — cynical about the limitations of youth tokenism. That cynicism evolved into action. In his late twenties, after building a career in music and business, Charlie re-entered the political arena. He became the Chairman of South Basildon, amalgamating several branches into a revitalised local association. He then co-led a campaign that helped elect six new Conservative councillors — taking control of Basildon Council back from Labour.

Then came December 2021 — and the tipping point.

When the UK government introduced its controversial Plan B COVID measures, Charlie took a stand. During a live appearance on BBC News, he publicly resigned from the Conservative Party. The moment went viral. His act of defiance resonated with thousands and sparked national conversation. Since then, Charlie has become a recognised voice in British political media — appearing on Sky News, GB News, TalkTV, BBC Radio 4, and The Independent, and becoming a regular guest on Dan Wootton’s Outspoken and Talk TV.

Despite being right-leaning, Charlie refuses to be defined by party lines. He spent a year as the producer of George Galloway’s show Have It Out with Galloway, bridging ideological divides in a way few public figures dare to. His work has earned him respect from figures across the political spectrum, from Nigel Farage to Zuby, and organisations such as the Together Declaration, and beyond.

Charlie is known for speaking plainly on issues others avoid — from grooming gangs and immigration policy, to the erosion of free speech and cultural censorship. His views are unapologetically direct, often polarising, and always grounded in a deep belief that public debate is not just important — it’s essential.

Subscribe now

Today, Charlie is a creative entrepreneur developing a new independent news platform, working on a flagship political show, a new AI music brand, and continuing to offer strategic brand and messaging guidance behind the scenes which includes digital media production. He is also an in-demand speaker, known for bringing opposing voices to the table and framing difficult issues with clarity, courage, and insight.

“Free speech is the most fundamental and most important principle we need to defend no matter how much we don’t like what someone says.”

If you’re tired of media spin, political tribalism, and voices that play it safe — this space is for you.

Here, I’ll go beyond the headlines–you’ll get direct commentary on politics, power, and the cultural battles shaping Britain.

But also:
🔹 Candid lessons from building businesses and navigating the music industry
🔹 What I’ve learned from walking away from party politics
🔹 And personal reflections — including surviving a heart attack that changed my outlook on everything

This isn’t just about news. It’s about life, legacy, and the cost of standing for something. Because truth deserves a platform — and so do the stories behind it.