Personal statement by David Dobbie, Liberal Democrat candidate for Sherwood Forest.

Full statement

I am proud to be standing as your Liberal Democrat candidate. People in Sherwood Forest are fed up with this discredited Conservative Council. I am fighting for a fair deal for our area. My partner Pam and I have children at secondary and primary school, so we know the issues facing our education system. We run a school community clothing group to reduce costs to parents during this cost-of-living crisis. Everyone should be able to rely on quick access to high-quality local health services when they need them. We must make it easier to get a doctor or dentist appointment. It is important for local communities to have their say in the planning process. As Chair of planning on my Town Council, I brought in the Neighbourhood Plan which received strong approval at referendum; I would like to see these brought in around the division. My Town Council recently supported the "20's Plenty where we are" campaign and I would like to see this supported across the communities of Sherwood Forest. I work for a manufacturer in Newark & Sherwood & have previously worked as a science teacher at Rufford Comp and as a Laboratory Technician at Ollerton. I want to see the Major Oak extension to the Robin Hood Line go ahead without delay. I am very familiar with the proposed route as I previously worked as a Coal QA Tester at High Marnham Power Station. I am very concerned about the decreasing quality of water in our streams and rivers. As a representative to the Trent Valley IDB (Internal Drainage Board), I am anxious about increasing flooding events and how polluted floodwater impacts the land. The Liberal Democrats will always fight to protect our environment. I support the pledges of the Nottinghamshire Liberal Democrat Group: To Fix the Potholes. Protect the Green Belt. Keep Councils Local. Bring Honesty Back into Politics.

Published and promoted by Klaus Becher on behalf of David Dobbie (Liberal Democrats), both at 2 Wesley House, Guildhall Street, Newark. NG24 1UP.