It is a great privilege for me to be selected to contest Newport West for the Conservatives at the next General Election. With my family home being just over the border in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, my years at Monmouth school have made this part of South Wales feel very much like home turf.

I left the area to attend university in Surrey where I studied business economics with computing. I now live in West London with my wife Shazia, who is a commissioner for mental health services, and currently work as Political Advisor to David Tredinnick MP and Manager of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Integrated and Complementary Healthcare based at Westminster. I have worked in Parliament for 11 years, during which time I have focused predominantly on health related issues, and believe that the health of the Nation is the biggest challenge facing society today. Aside from health, my political interests are law and order, the environment and the economy, whilst my outside interests include many sports, especially tennis, cycling and rugby, walking in the many beautiful areas around the country, and the arts.

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

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. When I campaigned in Monmouth at the last General Election there was a real appetite for change, and so the Election brought change. The Assembly result here has shown that now the people of Newport too are looking for change, and I will work with local people to campaign on the issues that concern you on a day-to-day basis and help bring about positive changes to Newport.

I am working with our excellent local Conservative councillors and the Assembly Member to ensure that Newport has the public services, transport links and opportunities that Wales’ third largest city should have. I also believe that the Welsh Assembly needs to give the people of Newport better value for money.

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.

It is an exciting time to be in Newport, and I look forward to spending time here campaigning, meeting local people, and enjoying the city socially with my wife.