Drawing on my past experiences as a Councillor at County and Parish level, I want to pursue changes to the current system which currently discourages many able people from getting involved in local politics.

Full statement

I also want to help develop a closer relationship between residents, parish and town councils and the Isle of Wight Council. The current pandemic has shown that developing localism, whereby volunteers and village town based organisations are empowered, allows such bodies to act efficiently and responsively for their communities. Greater powers should also be given to allow such bodies to play a part in decisions that affect them, in particular in relation to planning.