I'm Standing for ' Better' Politics and a fairer, stronger, greener Cornwall.

Full statement

I am doing this because I KNOW I can make a difference and that I would make a good MP. I feel the trust has gone from politics at the moment and we have to get it back as this harms democracy when people simply no longer want to vote. I am standing up for people who I know need someone to strongly stand up for them and their issues. (As a Councillor, I am aware that often the people who most need your help don't come to you and you learn about their situation 'second hand' because they simply don't know that people ARE there to advocate/ speak up/ help them. ) So often people vote for the least worst party or candidate. Let's face it the bar is set pretty low at the minute. I want to offer people the choice of someone they may actually want to vote for and they may think they could do a good job. I also think that the Liberal Democrats have a bold and strong manifesto including strong commitments to really face up to the challenges of 'rescuing the NHS and care' for the long term. We have 'thoughtful' responses in many areas that whilst may not be 'flashy' are actually great ways to solve some of the issues that blight us by looking at them holistically. As a real overview - I like things like commitments to end Ofsted single word judgements, broadening of the curriculum (as it has been so narrowed - schools fit for the test of life not a life of tests is my motto but in seriousness - schools should be there for ALL pupils and children shouldn't feel that 'they're a failure' just because they are maybe not so good at the tests being measured.), many preventative measures in the manifesto NHS proposals - more around social prescribing and restricting ads for junk food/ drinks before the watershed etc and lots about mental health support - in schools and 'hubs' as this is a huge issue post covid particularly and one we cannot ignore. Commitments to SOCIAL housing 150,000 per year to be built, plans to turn water companies into public benefit companies, abolish Ofwat and replace with a tougher regulator, banning bonuses, commitment to Leveson 2 enquiry around the press, enshrining the ministerial code in law and of course our call for electoral reform and proportional representation so that you equality and fairness with the number of votes cast being represented in the seats then gained. It is well worth browsing the fully costed manifesto that I believe you can find below.

A bit more about me, I'm a mum with teens and have taught music and piano in many schools in Penwith. Before this I worked for a government initiative that worked with Schools in Penwith and on the Lizard and was about promoting creativity and skills for 21st Century teaching. Crucially, this role was about 'change' and needed people to trust and work together. This work stood me in good stead in trying to resolve issues and matters that may straddle different sectors and cross many agendas. I became a Cornwall Councillor in 2021, elected first go in a long standing Conservative seat (Mousehole, Newlyn and St Buryan) and have been working hard over the last three years. As a Councillor I sit on the planning committee for housing in this area ( from St Just and up to Truro) and also Chair a working group on Violence against Women and Girls. I work hard to play my part in trying to tackle the everyday things that affect all of our lives. I speak up on these issues at Council regularly, have taken two motions to Council (ending VAWG and Defending Democracy.) Both were approved unanimously. I take my Councillor role seriously and work hard for residents but also speak up on the issues raised whether about the digital world and calling to make sure we keep face to face services as much as we can to not exclude older people, to supporting motions on mental health provision or speaking up about our Water Companies and how clean water should be a basic right. (This paragraph below was written in the pandemic but it's relevant now). I think we are at a critical point politically at the moment with the Climate Emergency and Covid. The only way now to make sure 'we're ok' is to make sure everyone is 'ok.' We can no longer just avoid these things that we may not like but have to face up to the reality of them. I have been motivated to stand as I feel it is so important that we don't go back to the same old 'normal' of before but we demand better from our elected representatives. I'm not a fan of three word slogans and sound bites, a media intent on keeping itself in business by pitting parties or people against one another, and politicians often more ego driven than 'people and principles' driven. So I wanted to enter the fray as someone who was motivated purely by a desire to help people and make a difference and who had values and principles she would stand by. I (and you) deserve people at the very least who are in it for the right reasons. It should not take a footballer and overwhelming public feeling for a government to realise it is doing the wrong thing. Nor should it be difficult for a strong leader to 'cancel' Christmas when it was obvious that this was going to have horrendous implications. This was the one time for me when I needed to trust in government and for me, it simply wasn't there.

But what I did see though was how at this moment people stepped up into that void. I watched first hand as communities and people came together. The positivity and support that came out of such an overwhelming situation was incredible and we HAVE to build from this. I believe in people and this is what has inspired me to do my bit. I believe that mostly we are tolerant, compassionate and kind but I also feel that in more recent times we have become a country divided; we seem unable to move forwards or upwards out of this and sometimes our worst sides are 'played to' by the media and politicians. I believe we must actively seek to find the things that connect us in order to grow a healthy, sustainable and secure future for all. I have never been one to give up on problems but try to find the commmonality and links between people to enable resolution and find a shared way ahead. I believe I would make a strong councillor, able to listen to and 'hear' your issues, fears and concerns. It has been yet again humbling walking around this constituency since last August and gaining a small insight into the issues that affect people. Some I was aware of and others have made me open my eyes. All I know is that I am not one to shy away from difficult issues and that I like getting to the bottom of things. I know most things are not black and white. I also am not one to give up! There is ALWAYS a solution if you have the will and the tenacity to keep at it! I would stand up for everyone and ensure that ALL voices are heard. Britain has one of the highest levels of wealth inequality in Europe which is not a record to be proud of. I believe that to confidently face our future we must tackle some of these issues and also realise that we all have a part to play given the climate emergency. Thank you for reading. I will do my level best for people if elected and genuinely feel I can offer a fresh, positive and determined approach.