Jason Lejeune is standing for Mid Devon District Council and Tiverton Town Council in Castle Ward.

Full statement

He has been volunteering in our community for many years and wants to give our community real voice in local government.

"I am passionate about the community we all live in and have always taken an active role in the town and have volunteered for the Army Cadets, the Devon and Cornwall 4x4 response (assisting the NHS, emergency services and general public in times of need, such as snow and flooding) and more recently have become a community first responder with the ambulance service going out to people in need in Tiverton. My business provides training in first aid, food hygiene and health & safety, and has given free training to Re:Rooted, the Adventure playground and local churches, and is pledged to continue to offer this to community volunteer groups in the town.

My wife and I set up the Covid volunteer group in Tiverton at the beginning of the pandemic, helping people who were isolating to get food and medication. We also run two of the Lunch on the Go venues each week tackling food poverty and isolation, with help from a wonderful group of volunteers.

It’s very humbling helping people who have little or no money due to poverty or the pandemic. We’re lucky to be supported by the town council and the local supermarkets who donate surplus food and I just love giving this to people that need it . I didn’t realise poverty was a problem in our community and it breaks my heart that people are going hungry especially if it’s children, and I will do everything possible to help this!

One question that I keep getting asked, since standing for election in Castle Ward at both town and district level, is “what is your manifesto?” - I don’t want to look silly but I really don’t have an agenda! My only agenda and approach is completely different to the usual style of politics! It’s your town! I want to engage with the community, find out what they want and then do things! That’s my promise to listen to the good people of Tiverton, having that open and honest communication, and then get things done.

For too long I believe you’ve had politics “done” to you, but whether what happens is for the good or for the bad, you have very little voice - do you actually know who your town, district and county councillors are? I’m not bogged down by party politics and a national strategy, which often doesn’t work at a local level. I’m not going to block the good ideas that are expressed because I have and agenda. If it’s good for Tiverton then it’s good for me and I’ll support with every breath in my body! Vote for people not party politics!"