I have lived with my wife Jane in Buckland Brewer, in the north of the division, for 14 years.

My over-riding concern is that the recovery policies adopted by the Government and Devon County Council following the Covid pandemic must result in a fairer distribution of financial support between urban and rural communities. Rural areas like ours have suffered disproportionately in the past because we have been constantly pushed to the bottom of the political food chain.

A printer by trade, I am a retired Trade Union Official, and was the lead negotiator with a number of financial institutions including the Bank of England and Barclays Bank. I won a trade union scholarship to Ruskin College Oxford, then attended Bristol University.

I have been a member of Buckland Brewer Parish Council for 10 years, for six of which I was chair. I am passionate about supporting further education and while chair set up the Buckland Brewer Education support fund which I continue to chair. I am also treasurer of Bideford Labour Party.