I am a farmer in the Weald of Kent and have been for the past 20 years. I run an award-winning flock of sheep, a vineyard and holiday business. I represent the Borough Ward of Rolvenden and Tenterden West as a Green. I am the Cabinet member for Parks, Leisure, Legal and Constitutional and Vice Chair of the Regulatory Committee. I was a lawyer before I had my children. I come from a political family - my father and grandfather were both Tory MPs and I have a deep insight of the challenges and demands of political life as well as its rewards.
My Ward is deeply rural and has always been viewed as a completely 'safe' Tory seat - I challenged the Tory incumbent as an independent and then joined the Green Party. Change is entirely possible provided you are visible, active and engaged with and understand your residents. My biggest personal change was giving up London and corporate life to farm full-time. Again, you have to put the work in, talk to and listen to people and understand the rural economy and the deep love and concern that people have for the environment.
The Weald of Kent is viewed as a 'safe' Tory seat and yet the Government has trashed everything residents care about - rural public transport, social housing and the natural world. They need to be offered hope and a prospect of change and to be represented by a committed, energetic and engaged MP.
I will jump in my very muddy car with my sheep dog and knock on doors. I will also hold hustings and leaflet drops. Nothing beats face to face meetings and talking to people especially in a large rural constituency that has been taken for granted by its incumbent.
Good public speaker Understanding and knowledge of rural life, its challenges and rewards. Very experienced canvasser - I've been doing it since I was 2 years' old