My name is Jack Barwell.

Full statement

I'm a 23-year-old first-time Croydon candidate standing in Selsdon Vale and Forestdale. I'm running because I think we need a new generation of politicians to get involved and help build on the work the mayor and our Council have done to turn things around in the last 4 years. But also to deliver a future for young people and blue collar workers and deliver hope to those who have lost it in this great Town.

I've lived in Croydon all my life and from my youth to the present I've always tried to get back to the community. When I was in sixth form, I developed a public speaking competition and helped train up hundreds of young students at different schools in Croydon in both primary and secondary school to develop their vocal skills and public speaking.

When I was at university I founded my own charity Bridge The Gap to help state school students get into top universities by training them up for interviews, entrance exams, and personal statements. My charity helped hundreds of students apply for university and we have many success stories of those who got into Oxbridge.

In my spare time, I love watching sport and can't wait to cheer on England at the world cup this summer. You can also often find me at one of the great pubs or restaurants in Selsdon Vale and Forestdale whether that be the Sir Julian Huxley, the Kingsmen, the Forestdale forum or the Royal Tandoori. We all need to support our businesses at this difficult economic time when they're being overtaxed and underappreciated..