I am standing to be an Independent MP for Bolton North-East in order to give constituents a voice in parliament, not to justify parliaments actions to the constituents of Bolton North-East.

Full statement

Being free from party ties and big money sponsors I can work collaboratively with any political party when it is in the interest of our constituents to do so but oppose any proposals that are not. If successful I will commit to respond to constituents and be active and visible in the constituency where I live

There has never been a stronger case for political change in living memory. The main political parties have not only failed us but lied to us whilst doing so, blaming the poorest for their greed and failings. We can no longer rely on MPs from the main political parties to act in our best interest as s they are whipped to act along party lines.

There is virtually no difference in the economic policies of the two largest parties. Both promise more austerity and hardship for working class people while the profits of energy companies and supermarkets continue to soar. In the meantime public services, including the NHS, continue to be underfunded, under-resourced and shunted towards private ownership.

As a local, independent Member of Parliament I will always be available to the community and will vote and act in the best interests of our community. Where one of the main parties proposes change that is in our community's best interest I will support that. Where a policy change doesn't provide a benefit I will be free to oppose it instead of following a party line. This is a clear advantage and one that I will ensure works for the benefit of the Bolton NE community.

We face serious challenges if we want our families to live healthy rewarding lives. We must create an economy that works for us all and dramatically reduces the cruel inequality that has blighted our communities for the last forty years.

That means creating a high wage, fair tax economy to replace the stifling dependency on inwork benefits and instead provide the scope and incentives for people to fulfil their aspirations.

It means providing training to enable people to secure the well paid jobs of the future, in which employees get a fair share of the wealth their work creates.

It means restoring the NHS to its former glory as a publicly funded, single-tiered resource, free at the point of delivery and free from the scourge of US-owned health companies that are seeking to install a for-profit, insurance-based model that will leave the majority of people without proper care.

It means making our schools, colleges and universities places in which our young people actually enjoying learning and which prepare them to confidently take their places in society.

And it means seriously setting about tackling climate change while there is still time to do so recognising the opportunities for employment, innovation and investment that it presents