Having been born in Bury St Edmunds and growing up and living nearby, I know this special part of the country well and know that it deserves better.

Full statement

Reform UK offers fundamental change to the way the country is governed, standing up for traditional values. Only Reform UK will freeze immigration. Nearly 2.5 million people entered the UK in just the last two years, putting immense pressure on healthcare, housing, and education. We need to stop wasting taxpayers’ money and start making structural reforms and long-term, strategic investments.

I want to use my skills and experience to address the issues that matter to you. I hold a Masters degree in international relations from the University of Cambridge, an advanced degree in journalism from City, University of London, plus a first-class undergraduate degree from the University of Durham.

I used to work as a reporter for a national newspaper and have lived around the world working for the United Nations – including in Afghanistan, Zambia, and Bangladesh – on projects delivering humanitarian aid, better public health, HIV protection, and improved nutrition and agriculture. I returned home from my job in the South Pacific for the election.

Over the past 14 years, the Conservatives have delivered endless broken promises. Far from taking back control, they have only continued to lose control. We have spiralling national debt, millions more people waiting for health treatment, higher taxes, and out of control immigration.

An incompetent, exhausted, and arrogant government that struggles to get anything done has left a legacy of an underperforming economy, wrecked public services, run-down and foreign-owned infrastructure, and a diminished international reputation. The Conservatives squandered the potential benefits of Brexit and struck a bad deal with the EU. The Labour party can not be trusted with a re-negotiation.

Labour is not the answer to the country’s long list of problems. They are tied to the unions and would almost certainly make some things worse, with even higher taxes, continued mass immigration, and an amnesty for illegal migrants.

This country and this constituency deserve better. I understand the frustration that you feel but there really is an alternative to the tired old established parties who will only deliver more of the same. Reform UK offers fundamental reform to the way that our country is governed, standing up for the traditional values that so many of us hold.

I want to deliver change for my own country and cherished local area. I can think of no greater privilege than to represent you in parliament.