TIME FOR CHANGE IN SOUTH DORSET At last, Rishi Sunak has bowed to pressure and called a general election.

Full statement

It is another huge opportunity to remove the out-of-touch Conservatives from our county. We did it just a few weeks ago in the Dorset Council elections which saw voters decide enough is enough and replace the Tories with the new Liberal Democrat leadership. We now hold 42 seats versus just 2 for Labour across Dorset. We are also the real challengers to the Conservatives when you narrow it down to the South Dorset constituency, where we got double the number of seats the Tories did and 5 x more than Labour did. I’m proud to be part of that change. We are the party that listens, that understands the issues, and that acts. It’s time for me to ask for your support to elect me as your local champion.

I’m no career politician, parachuted in from North London, nor have I skulked around the fringes of the inept Tory administration for the last 14 years, who’s general ineptitude and lack of empathy has made much of the population worse off. I want to champion the needs of the community in which I grew up, live, teach and raise my family. I fight for the needs of Dorset people every day as a councillor and activist on issues such as flooding, car parking, homes and pharmacies. I want to continue to provide South Dorset with a listening ear and a strong voice, but this time in Westminster!

Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for a fair deal. By electing a Liberal Democrat MP you will have a local representative who is committed to working hard to create a fair, prosperous and innovative economy that promotes opportunity and wellbeing. A Lib Dem MP will seek to provide fair access to good public services and a strong social safety net. A Lib Dem MP will strive to establish a flourishing environment with fair access to nature for all. The Liberal Democrats will forge a strong United Kingdom within a fair international order. At the very heart of all Liberal Democrats is the belief that we need a truly fair democracy, where everyone’s rights are respected, and individuals and communities are empowered.

I intend to be an influential MP on behalf of residents across South Dorset. I’m a teacher and parent who understands how the conservative government has failed families and educators. I’m a campaigner who has seen how our government failed to act meaningfully on issues like flooding and sewage in our sea. I’m a local councillor who knows our conservative MP actually voted against more funding for our council to spend on our communities.

It's time! In July you will get the chance to vote to get rid of this out-of-touch Conservative government. Based on the recent local elections, and the significant groundswell of support the Liberal Democrats received, this should be a race between us and the Conservatives. It's time to change the system and give people real hope. It's time to deliver the fair deal the British people deserve.