I am a 7th Generation former soldier.

Full statement

I served in 16th Independent Parachute Brigade, was seconded to the FCO and carried out security duties at Embassies in conflict areas.

I served in Surrey Police after leaving the forces. I am now retired and work as a Physiotherapy Associate Practitioner with the Local NHS community teams. My wife is a Clinical lead locally with the NHS. We have two daughters 1 is a primary school teacher in Yateley and the other works as a projects manager with Southampton Football club.

I have lived in the Forest for about 20 years, my wife was born at the former Fenwick Hospital in Ashurst, her family are lifetime residents here.

Problems with the constituency.

The New Forest is a beautiful place to live for those that can afford to, but take a walk into some of the poorer areas and see the truth. Poor families on council waiting lists, with no houses being built. Planning regulations of a draconian nature exist to throw up barriers instead of facilitating access.

The council refusing to take responsibility instead of doing the “right thing”. Food banks in Totton and Backfields and Hythe because people cannot afford to buy food due to high prices. Access to services Drs and Dentists, public transport to the General Hospital and other medical services.

The New forest is so poorly served by our local ambulance services that some cannot attend or afford a taxi, which is often the advice given. In the Forest itself, we see younger generations driven away because of high costs in both rent and lack of housing, leading to population displacements we can little afford to accept. We have our community nurses struggling to meet demands as the area is so large they cannot reach everyone and have very few staff to do it. Lymington Hospital is always shouting loud for staff to perform the wonderful services they do.

The council continually failing its people to provide good quality affordable housing and services. Employment has been decreasing limiting access to jobs for young people. Young people simply don’t have the connection or are disconnected from the forest. Local areas surrounding the forest like Totton and waterside are largely built up and are poorly served. For example the wheelie bin scandal is now hitting residents with the unsightly plastic bins left out by many for days causing obstructions and eyesores.. Sewage spillage into the sea around or beautiful coastline are of great concern.

Councils wasting money on art projects in Totton that have little meaning to residents. Lurking in the distance is the spectre of Associated British Ports and the loss of our military community in Marchwood. Rising rents for waterside clubs who use the waterways. The list goes on, however there is hope. Reform is needed to put things right, to fight to retain our Forest way of life, our schools and medical services. I don’t pretend to know all the anwers but sometimes a fresh pair of eyes in a position of authority not tainted by years of political ambition can make wonderful things happen if given a chance.