Living and working in the North East for my whole life, I am a passionate northerner, proud of our rich heritage and the bright future we have, but I have often felt that the north could be better represented than it has been in the past.

Full statement

Living locally, and building a business in the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire, I want to be an MP who stands up for our town and will be an ambassador for it.

I have worked hard for a variety of charitable causes alongside building my business over the past decade. The energy I have put into everything I have done in my life so far, I now want to put to good use for this great town. I will be a visible campaigner on local issues and work hand in hand with the great Conservative team of Councillors locally and our fantastic mayor Ben Houchen.

Darlington and the surrounding area is a great place that has so much going for it. But it has been let down for decades because the Labour party regard it as a “safe” seat. I am appalled at the way they have allowed our area to decline – and it is simply not in the interest of a Labour MP to improve the town. That’s why the streets are littered. That’s why the town centre is moribund.

I’ve already met with the Teesside Mayor to get his backing for my economic strategy to reinvigorate Darlington – and I will back his proposals for Teesside Airport because we need the transport links, jobs and growth it will bring.

We have the opportunity of an MP working with Boris Johnston to make sure Darlington benefits as we leave the EU. Someone who has the ear of ministers.

Someone who has real ambition for this great place.

Please give me that opportunity. I won’t let this town down.