Introduction

My family have lived in East Kent for many years and we live on the seafront in Deal. My wife Natalie and I have two children – Charlotte 7 and Thomas 9 months.

Natalie went to Clarendon House grammar in Ramsgate. My mother in law lived in Shepherdswell and taught at local primary schools. So I am passionately concerned about improving school and vocational education and realising our opportunities.

My father in law is a lorry driver. He used to work for Kent Salads. In my job, I specialise in inward investment and British job creation. Yet wages locally are £378 a week – below the Kent average, while unemployment is higher than the average. I want to see that change. I am excited about job opportunities from our dominant distribution position combined with our knowledge industries.

I believe we can achieve greater success across the board. The wealth gap is too high and I want to see this fall. We need a Britain we can all feel part of.

There is not enough respect for older people. My late father, an alzeimer's sufferer, lived in a home that closed down at Bossington near Aylesham. In the last ten years, pensions have seen tax raids. Low annuities are cut further by mean tested pension credit. That state pension is too low and should be higher. Older people should get more respect and have enough money to retire with dignity. The 17,000 pensioners who live locally deserve better than that.