From my first campaign visits to Dartford as a neighbouring Labour parliamentary candidate more than 20 years ago to recent work alongside local activists and our excellent councillors to help win borough council seats for Labour, I have developed a passion for the town and its people.

Full statement

That's why I'm delighted to be standing to be Dartford's next MP

Dartford has been badly let down by the Tories and the town urgently needs a Labour government and local MP who will stand up on behalf of local people and fight to save our NHS, for safer streets, an end to the cost of living crisis and for genuinely affordable new homes for local people.

I have a track record in South East London in my role as councillor and campaigner for local communities including delivering big pay increases for low paid care workers and helping transform mental health services. I will bring the same commitment to social justice for local people after 14 wasted years under the Tories.

My partner Nicola is a secondary school teacher in a large local comprehensive school and our children who both went to south east London state schools and are now studying at university. I come from an armed services family and believe the UK needs strong defence and robust borders.



Priorities for change

My five priorities for change are those that Dartford residents have been telling party campaigners about on the doorsteps:

* Undoing the Tory damage to our NHS and care services, with rapid high-quality treatment for residents and an end to the current record long waits

* Housing for all with new build homes provided at genuinely affordable and social rents, help for people of all ages onto the housing ladder and an end to homelessness

* Fighting crime with more local police and with Dartford residents made safer from anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls

* Getting Dartford moving by fighting for improved train and bus services as part of a wider Labour plan to support local people through the transition to Net Zero

* Taking 'Pride in Dartford' as the fastest growing UK town which now needs to see investment in high streets, support for SMEs, local skills and the arts