Introduction - Hi, I am Richard Pearse.

Full statement

I am thrilled to be nominated as the Reform UK parliamentary candidate for Weston-Super-Mare. I am a West Country Boy raised by a single mother in social housing with my five brothers, leading me to value family loyalty, education, hard work, and love for our country. These values led me to complete the 'All Arms Commando Course' at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines at seventeen; after earning my 'Green Beret', I served with 29 Commando RA, Plymouth. I am now a former widower with children and happily remarried to a qualified nurse.

Professional Experience- After leaving the services, I worked as a rural postman, night shift baker, and taxi driver, teaching me valuable lessons about people and serving the public. I then earned my first degree at the University of Exeter in Business & Accountancy. Later, I gained an MBA and completed PhD training while lecturing in management. I stepped away from higher education to implement my research findings in the public domain within the financial services industry, helping small businesses and individuals. This journey, filled with challenges and triumphs, led to professional recognition as a 'Fellow' of the Institute of Consultancy and a 'Chartered Manager and Fellow' of the Chartered Management Institute. I took early retirement at 55.

My Motivation - I am loyal to our country, respecting individual independence and family values. I believe in a strong work ethic, believing we share responsibility for each other and the vulnerable by demanding change, given successive political governments have failed to adequately address the acute shortages in Housing, the NHS, Defence, Education, and Energy with Government spending seemingly not held entirely to account.

Hope for our Future- Many of us have patiently waited to see politicians bring our country out of the mess we find ourselves in while operating with a moral compass, which compass appears missing as politicians cling to power when faced with an ethical dilemma. It is time to 'Reform' our political system while moving our country to a secure financial footing. Like many others, as your Reform Party Candidate, I am committed to their assessment that the existing political parties no longer represent our growing concerns. So, I am not just a candidate but a beacon of hope for a better political future. I hope you agree with that assessment and support my candidacy to become your MP.