It’s a huge privilege to have the opportunity to represent the constituency where I grew up – I come from Middlesbrough and am very proud to be a Teessider.

Full statement

If elected as your MP, I’ll tackle problems like the Marton Crawl, pressing our new Mayor and central Government for action to make the Ormesby Bank sliproads onto the Parkway two-way to ease pressure on Marton and Stokesley Roads.

I’ll fight for East Cleveland communities like Loftus and Lingdale that feel abandoned and ignored. I’ll champion growth, jobs and investment.

Those are my local priorities. But we also need to think about the national consequences of our vote.

My beliefs aren’t complicated. I believe in the value of hard work and taking responsibility. I believe in living within our means and not piling up debt for our children. And I believe in a strong, independent Britain which is a force for good in the world.

Those are the values of thousands of people in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland who feel Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party has totally stopped speaking for them.

We should be clear: every vote for another candidate in this election is a vote for Jeremy Corbyn in Number 10, negotiating our Brexit deal and responsible for our economy and our security. That is a risk we simply must not take.

I am the only candidate here who will work with Theresa May to deliver the strong leadership we need, and a better future for our area and our country.

Source: http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/middlesbrough-south-east-cleveland-general-13120628