I am both a husband and a father.

Full statement

This is where I find joy and purpose in my life.

I was born in Cape Town, South Africa to adventurous parents who were born in Scotland. My dad from Drumchapel and my mum from East Kilbride. They married in East Kilbride and then immigrated to South Africa in the 1970s. I returned to Scotland as a teenager in 1993 and then attended high school in East Kilbride before going onto studying Environmental Planning at the University of Strathclyde. I graduated with an Honours Degree in the year 2000. For the last 25 years I have been working in the development industry in Scotland, where I have become a specialist in the delivery of new housing projects. I have been lucky enough to work on a range of projects over the years, both big and small. I have led professional teams and worked hand in glove with many private companies and local authorities to deliver new homes of all types and tenures across Scotland. Through my lived experience, as a child growing up in South Africa, I have witnessed the transition of the country from Apartheid to a new democracy. I have a strong belief in the people and if we can all work together then we can genuinely impact positive change through the democratic process. Since moving to Scotland, I have voted in every national and local election and over the years where I have voted for Labour, SNP, and Conservatives. My assessment is that every party has failed to deliver on its promises. This is the reason that I have decided to stand in this election and represent Reform. The current system needs a shake up and I believe that Reform UK are the best placed party to deliver on this for East Dunbartonshire, Scotland and for the United Kingdom.

I believe in less government, not more. The private sector needs to thrive to fund good public services that we all need, and we all deserve. I believe a thriving and responsible private sector will deliver opportunities for all and create growth. Government needs to listen to business and offer support where it can. This starts at a local authority level, and I pledge to listen and help as much as I possibly can if elected as councillor.

I believe that we should leave the world cleaner and greener for the next generation, however, I do not believe that the current approach of the government in pursing net zero at all costs is the right approach. Net zero is pushing up the costs of housing through increasingly demanding building regulations, it is pushing up the cost of heating and threating to destroy our countryside with wind farms, solar farms and battery farms. If elected as your councillor I promise to defend against the use of our countryside for these initiatives. Wind farms, solar farms or battery farms are not the answer to our energy crisis. We need to get back to the reality of conventional power generation which is the only way that we’re going to keep our homes warm and the lights on. I strongly believe that everyone should have an opportunity to either own or rent a secure and warm home. For many people this is the foundation of building a prosperous, comfortable and fulfilling life. Through ever increasing housing prices, the ever-increasing cost of living and diminishing career opportunities for our young people, I can see the prospect of home ownership, or renting, slipping away from them and this should worry all of us. If elected I will do everything within my power to promote and drive local housing initiatives. I will work with the local authority to promote and improve all opportunities for all our young people whether it’s promoting education, apprenticeships or jobs.

Thank you for taking the time to read about me and what I would like to offer you as your councillor. I sincerely hope that you for me on February 13th, 2025.