I was selected by the local party membership to be the Conservative MP candidate for Warwick, Leamington, Whitnash and our beautiful villages over a year now and over that time I have had chance to meet many of you. We are knocking on doors for six hours a day at the moment, to hear your views.

I know first-hand how special Warwick and Leamington is – it’s where I met my wife Sarah and it’s where we’ve made our home together. With our historic town centres, many diverse and amazing independent businesses, award winning parks, newly refurbished leisure centres, a thriving tech industry and manufacturing some of the UK’s most iconic brands, we have much to be proud.

Sarah and I live in Emscote and are honoured to call Warwick home, but I know there is still more that can be done to make Warwick and Leamington an even better place to live.

I want to see fairer funding for our local schools, more money for our NHS and government policies that reward people for their hard work. This is why I want to be your next Member of Parliament – to promote Warwick and Leamington both locally and nationally, and ensure we always get the best deal.

Like you, I am frustrated with our national politics. We didn't want an election, but this Parliament has forced another delay on Brexit which is really damaging the country. Without an election, Parliament would waste 2020 on more delay, meaning we cannot focus on the NHS, the cost of living, tackling violent crime and creating more jobs.

Warwick and Leamington’s families and businesses cannot plan for the future – whether you voted leave or remain, more dither and pointless delay is the last thing we need. An election is the only way to move things forward because Parliament and Corbyn have blocked everything. The Prime Minister has negotiated a deal: I will support that deal – it’s time to move on.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my friend, Chris White. Chris was an outstanding champion for our area over many years, serving as our Member of Parliament for seven years. Regardless of your individual politics, Chris’s work within our community, and in Westminster on our behalf, should be commended: whether passing the Social Value Act into law, bringing employers like Vitsoe into our area, or his support for our vital manufacturing and other industries through his championing a modern industrial strategy. I pay tribute to Chris and, thank him for his service and continuing support.

Should you elect me to be your Member of Parliament at the next General Election, my priority is to support the local economy and the businesses that keep it strong. Delivering the referendum result and seeing off a Corbyn government are a part of this, but there is so much more to do.