Islwyn needs an MP who doesn't take the people for granted and wants to do the job for the right reasons: to serve the community, to protect the vulnerable, to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential and to fight for access to first class public services.

Having grown up and lived in the area, I care about Islwyn and understand the issues that concern you.

Unemployment in Islwyn is high but there are things we can do to create jobs. In addition to supporting national measures (such as scrapping Labour's extra tax on jobs) I want to be an advocate for the area and promote Islwyn to businesses and investors - they are the people who will create the jobs we so desperately need. Unfortunately, petty crime and anti-social behaviour is a problem in several parts of Islwyn. It's time to have a no-nonsense approach to tackling the minority of people who blight our towns and villages.

The Police do their best but their hands are tied by too much paperwork. We need a locally elected commissioner to run the Police, someone who understands local problems and who will listen to residents - if they don't they will be voted out.

Immigration is an issue that many politicians are scared to talk about yet it has massive implications on our public services, jobs and community cohesion. I’m not afraid to say that immigration should be limited and that, generally speaking, we should only admit those who benefit our economy.

I believe that those who work in the public sector should be set free from unnecessary paperwork and irrelevant targets dictated by central government. Teachers know best how to teach and should be free to create a safe, fun but disciplined environment for learning. We should listen to the doctors who want to prescribe free cancer drugs which are available in Europe but can't because our government won't let them.

The NHS should continue to have increased funding but the money must go to frontline services.

Finally, I believe that MPs should not fund lavish lifestyles at the taxpayers' expense. I will not claim extra pay to cover London hotels or to rent a London flat.

To reduce the cost of politics I want to reduce the number of MPs by 10%. With your support I can make these things happen.