Matthew was born in 1973 and educated at Monmouth school. He then
attended the University of Surrey and studied Business Economics with
Computing.

He is married to Shazia, who is a commissioner for mental health
services, and has a young son Harríse. He now divides his time between
his family home near Monmouth, and London, where he currently works as
Political Advisor to David Tredinnick MP and Manager of the All-Party
Parliamentary Group for Integrated and Complementary Healthcare based at
Westminster.

Since beginning work in Parliament in 1996 Matthew has focused
predominantly on health related issues, and believes that the health of
the Nation is perhaps the biggest long-term challenge facing society
today. Aside from health, his political interests are law and order, the
environment and the economy.

His outside interests include many sports, some participatory and others
as a spectator, including tennis, which he used to play competitively
when living in Oxford, cycling, football and rugby. He also loves
walking in the many beautiful areas around the country with Shazia, and
the arts.

Matthew's Experience

Matthew has more than a decade of Parliamentary experience. In addition,
he has campaigned around the country in local and national elections
since 1997 and has been involved in numerous successful campaigns. He
has also supported campaigns in Parliament through his work with the
All-Party Group against the EU Food Supplements Directive and other
restrictive EU legislation.

Matthew says, “Politics for me has always been about people and what
they want from their lives. I believe passionately in fairness and in
people’s rights to be in control of their life and destiny, and that it
is the role of politicians to empower people, improve their quality of
life, and provide them with the opportunities to achieve their
aspirations.”

“The City Council Elections here demonstrated that the people of Newport
are looking for change, and the new Council is beginning to deliver that
change. I am campaigning with local people and organisations on the
issues that concern you on a day-to-day basis to help bring about
improvements to Newport. I am working with our excellent local
Conservative councillors and the Assembly Member to ensure that Newport
has the public services, transport structure and opportunities that
Wales’ third largest city should have. My priorities are tackling crime,
drugs and antisocial behaviour; building better public services for
local people; creating stronger communities and above all giving local
people the freedom to live their lives.”