What matters to me
Getting our NHS Back on its Feet
Weston General is the heart of our town, it deserves a formidable champion at Westminster, fighting for a return of our 24 hour A&E service, reduced waiting times and an end to people waiting so long to see a dentist they have no option but to turn up at the hospital in agony.
My sister is a nurse at Weston General, like so many healthcare workers keeping the NHS going through COVID-19, she kept people safe while all the time knowing she was putting her young family at risk when she went home. Her sense of duty is astonishing and a constant inspiration.
She talks tearfully of holding people's hands while they died so that they wouldn’t die alone and then going back to do the same over and over again.
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Her commitment to public service, like that of countless others, is why I will always be on the side of the NHS, free at the point of need, but also as an employer with the resources to treat its staff and patients with dignity and respect.
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I work closely with the health and care sector in my current role, I see the benefits tech like artificial intelligence can bring to all society if deployed ethically and professionally, I also know that the NHS is only safe in Labour’s hands and I will always bring the full weight of a committed, tenacious MP to defend the NHS and our care services in Weston.
Young People – More opportunities HERE in Weston
I’m lucky to be stepdad to two teenagers and an uncle to many more, I want a better future for young people in Weston. Helping them see that politics isn’t something that just happens to them, but that they can and should drive positive change. Be a part of it.
As a former Special Educational Needs support worker and an advisor on education and skills policy, I see the massive potential wasted by a Tory Government unwilling to invest in and empower our young people. I will always champion the inclusion of all young people.
I will make it a priority to connect with young people from Bournville to Bleadon, involve them in decision making, make their voices heard, inspire them to get involved and help shape the future both here in Weston, in Westminster and the wider world.
Technology for Good – Secure business investment in digital skills development
I’ve already secured Google Digital Garage and Good Things Foundation to commit to coming to Weston in early 2024 to deliver essential digital skills training to some of our most vulnerable communities, I’ve also sourced International speakers like Professor Victoria Baines and Julia Adamson MBE to come to Weston for Safer Internet Day to promote the importance of digital skills for online safety.
Working as the Head of Policy and Public Affairs for the professional body for information technology. I know how critical it is that Weston equips its people with digital skills for the jobs of the future and harnesses technological developments for the benefit of everyone.
If we want Weston to thrive, we need to have good broadband and mobile signal, so that people can do their jobs and grow their businesses from Weston.
We must exploit the capabilities and opportunities tech brings and ensure we can all thrive in an increasingly digital-first world.
Tech presents opportunities to save our planet, support teachers in the classroom, and deliver better health outcomes in our NHS.
To deliver these, and more, we need a Labour government making decisions with communities at its heart, with tech for good at its soul, and always putting people first.
Supporting Small and Growing Businesses
Growing up my mum ran a café, and I saw first-hand the challenges she faced trying to make it a success. Often all that’s needed is a bit of targeted support to overcome challenges, that should be easy and I want to make it so.
I want Weston to be the best place in the South-West to set up and establish your small business, scale it to a big business and in doing so, grow the local economy and get our High Street back on track.
Weston has started to establish a fantastic tech start-up and SME ecosystem. In London and other cities, the excellent work of organisations like the Startup Coalition is providing transformational digital infrastructure, digital solutions and access to seed and capital funding. For if Weston is going to further excel, we need equivalent support to complement the excellent work of hubs like The Stable, The Hive and an excellent skills ecosystem out of Weston College.
I am committed to delivering the supportive infrastructure small businesses in Weston need to thrive, not just survive.
Sustainability – Drive Investment in Green Jobs
As a passionate advocate of green tech and sustainability across my career I have cultivated a strong network of green champions in Parliament and across world.
Coined at a time when Weston was a centre of industry; Weston’s motto is, “Ever Forward”, it defines our proud history of embracing change, overcoming challenges and embracing opportunities.
As your MP at a critical point in the transition to a green economy, I can attract investment and champion Weston so it can once again be a powerhouse of industry, but this time in green skills, sustainability and green energy.
Without our natural world, we can't build a future, we must prioritise the green agenda and commit to a low carbon and digital economy by 2030, taking action locally to play our part in the global effort.
Cost of Living – Eliminate poverty in Weston
As a long-time campaigner against poverty, it horrifies me that Weston has seen the return of destitution to our streets. I know what it feels like to not have the money to feed yourself; for me this is personal.
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Not only are prices rising quickly, making daily life harder for all of us, but homelessness and destitution on our streets is increasing.
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If selected, then elected, I will lead a multi-agency commission to eliminate destitution in Weston, tackling the root causes of poverty, crime, anti-social behaviour, and the sadness we see in the eyes of so many.
In Weston alone, 8518 three-day emergency food supplies were provided to families unable to feed themselves in the last year. I’m a Trustee of Somewhere To Go, Weston’s rough sleeping charity, I see how these constant crises and the ongoing under-resourcing of our NHS, dentists and care services are having a terrible impact on the long-term health and well-being of so many, especially our children; it will take a generation to undo.
I will work with you, our communities, linking us with the change-makers nationally and internationally to bring change to Weston in the ways that will make the most impact; saving local shops on the high street, supporting Citizen’s Advice, taking on payday loan companies, and being there for every constituent struggling to find a solution.