Salisbury Selection

I am very excited to have been shortlisted as one of the six Conservative prospective parliamentary candidates for the wonderful cathedral city of Salisbury. The shortlist was announced this morning. Robert Key MP has been a wonderful MP and is someone I look up to. He will be a hard act to follow but I am ready to serve!

Salisbury Conservative Association will be holding an Open Primary on Sunday, 31 January 2010 at the Salisbury Playhouse to select its new Parliamentary Candidate. Any resident who is on the electoral register for the new Salisbury constituency may attend the Open Primary and listen to each of the 6 candidates and vote. But you must pre-register via the association website at http://www.salisburyconservatives.com/.

In 2009, I represented the city and the region as one of the Conservative MEP candidates - I bring a fresh outlook to an area I know very well. Being based on the Forest of Dean and Gloucester border, I understand the needs of a rural constituency and the culture of a cathedral city. Every generation of my family has served in the armed forces, I have a longstanding interest in foreign affairs and would be honoured to represent Salisbury with its military links.

I would fight for local jobs and businesses, good public services and transport links and striking the right balance with redevelopment projects. Being the daughter of a doctor, the NHS matters immensely to me - we need good, accessible services and an NHS set free from the bureaucracy under this Government. Having set up an education charity in 2005, I would want to ensure that every child in Salisbury has access to a first class education, with training opportunities for our young people.

I am lucky to have had a varied professional career. I have experience of working as a corporate lawyer, in international development and in politics. I have had a wonderful rounded upbringing and have friends from all walks of life. I am an avid arts and sports supporter and if selected, I can guarantee that I will be a regular at all cultural events and a champion of local charities.

My interest in politics really kicked into gear after Sept 11 and seeing the horror of religious extremism. As the daughter of immigrants, I wanted to stand up for British values, traditions and culture. I cannot say I am perfect - who is? - but I hope I can be a role model to show that Britain offers much to those who come here but that we have a duty as well as an honour to become part of British life. I am British and proud and I want to make a difference.

I'm not a career politician and for many years thought that I would contribute to society through my international development, charitable and voluntary work. But I feel politics needs new people to take us forward and renew the public's interest in politics. I have worked overseas on promoting good governance and democracy and in the UK on getting young people engaged in politics and their community. I hope I can bring my energy and passion in this area to Westminster. I believe in being transparent, honest and straightforward with people. Do get in touch and ask me any questions on any issue.

Life is not without its challenges and today I found myself snowed in. When I ventured out, I got stranded in the snow (our rural Forest of Dean is beautiful but steep with windy rural roads) and didn't get back home until 7pm and then after trying to get warm, found my Internet connection wasn't working! But the campaign begins and I am excited and ready! Snow permitting, I will be based in Salisbury from Friday. If selected, I will move immediately and make Salisbury my permanent family home. Tomorrow is going to be devoted to speaking to local residents and organisations by phone, answering their questions and setting up meetings over the weekend and next week.