I have an ambition to become the MP for the Rother Valley Constituency, an ambition I have held for many years. This is not driven by a desire for power or to move to London but a desire to make things better in the constituency in which I have lived and worked for a large part of my life.

I have been talking to people in Rother Valley for many months now, and what is clear from these conversations is that many are disenfranchised with not only their local politicians, but the political system as a whole. The most telling point which is made time and time again is people are ready for, and want change. I believe I can offer that change in the best interests of all of the people living here. Most importantly for me however, is my pledge that unlike many local MP’s, I absolutely abide by the fact I am the servant of the people and not the master, and first and foremost will do what is in the best interests for you, the constituents of Rother Valley.

Too often, politicians are elected on a raft of promises, many of which become forgotten after an election.

Because of this I want to give you a signed contract, which I make with you, the constituents of Rother valley.

If I am elected as your MP at the next General Election, you can hold me to account for my entire term in office for the promises I have made to you here. I want to be an MP of the people, bringing some faith back into politics and making life better for all of us here in Rother Valley. I can’t promise we’ll get everything we want, but I can promise I’ll do everything in my power to try.

I will hold bi-weekly surgeries across the constituency giving you the opportunity to tell me your problems so that I can help.

I will attend a quarterly Chamber of Commerce surgery to hear the views and concerns from the business community, supplementing these with regular business forums.

I will arrange to meet with senior Police officers on a regular basis to act as the bridge between the community and the way that our community is policed.

I will hold an open forum for all residents twice a year enabling all members of the community to voice their concerns and understand the work that I am doing on your behalf.

I will arrange and organise an annual survey of our

Local Authority to gauge from us, the end user, the quality of services such as transport, recycling, schools and housing. Where I believe a party line conflicts with the best interests of the people of Rother Valley, I will always stand by my principles and fight for local issues. The expenses scandal will not have escaped anyone’s attention and I, like you, have been outraged at the behaviour of some MPs

The expenses scandal will not have escaped anyone’s attention and I, like you, have been outraged at the behaviour of some MPs. If you don’t have faith in the honesty and integrity of your local MP, there is no way you will have the trust in me to do what is best for you. I don’t believe you, the taxpayer, should pay over the odds for your politics.

Because of this I will pledge the following

• Publish on my website details of all of my personal expenses incurred as your member of parliament.
• Publish on my website details of all my office expenses incurred as your member of parliament.
• Publish on my website the value of all donations to my election campaigns, in line with Electoral Commission rules.

• Appoint a local and independent firm of auditors at my expense to approve my accounts at the end of every financial year.
• Provide local press with unredacted records of my expenses claims at the end of every financial year.
• Never claim for cleaning.
• Never claim for gardening.
• Meet my own tax liabilities.
• To sign up to the transparency pledge on MP’s expenses.

I believe that many people are disengaged with politics as a whole because of the petty squabbling which occurs between opposition parties. I believe a new age requires a change in politics. I will give you the facts around a situation and let you decide for yourself whether you think my approach is the right one. I believe if politicians spent as much time making a difference as they did arguing about the difference, we’d get far more done for the benefit of everyone.

Because of this I will pledge the following

• To fight a clean campaign, focussing on issues and policy – never focussing on personalities.
• To bring back faith in politics by never misleading the public, but always offering the facts.
• To only make promises I can deliver and be honest with the people of Rother Valley, even if it is unpopular.
• To never use scaremongering for political gain, but instead to give a clear and realistic picture of any situation.