A local candidate hoping to become the new MP for nearby Stratford-on-Avon has claimed plastic in the water is causing more people to identify as transgender, and says we are "effectively polluting our species into extinction".

Neil O'Neil, the leader of the UK's first Non-Political party (NONPOL), made the assertion in his election leaflet, saying his claims are based on a recent study.

Mr O'Neil - who has also said school teachers have too much time off - also said transgender people should be given equal rights, but not "special rights".

In the first topic of his 14-point document, he wrote: "We finally have a study to suggest what is causing this increase.

"Micro plastics in our water, the chemicals in fertilisers and the components of modern medicine are poisoning all of us, particularly the young."

The claims are made in a leaflet sent to local residents by Mr O'Neil

Mr O'Neil claims the phthalates in these chemicals "infiltrate a male embryo via the blood in a pregnant woman" and inhibit testosterone production and increasing oestrogen.

The study his claims are based on is not referenced in the document.

"From a social perspective, NONPOL believes every human is sacred, so someone with gender dysphoria should have equal rights like everybody else," the letter continues.

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"We need to understand their situation and treat and support them in any way we would the next person.

"However, they should have equal rights and not special rights.

"The growing minority should be open to fair and respectable discussion and not weaponise their cause to enforce bizarre gender pronouns or flawed sexual education in our schools".

The leaflet also claims Boris Johnson is to blame for the Ukraine war, MP's are standing down to avoid "rage of the public" over the "vaccine injury pandemic" and military service should be mandatory for 18 months for 18 year olds.

Other candidates standing in Stratford-on-Avon are:

• Seyi Agboola (Labour)
• Chris Clarkson (Conservative Party)
• James Crocker (Reform UK)
• Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrats)
• Doug Rouxel (Green Party)
• Kevin Taylor (Independent)