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OPINION: Why I’m standing as the Independent candidate in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire
‘Getting things done right, rather than hiding behind a party rosette’
On July 4 there’ll be a general election and a strong voice for our area has never been more needed. You may feel a vote in Cambridgeshire won’t matter or determine the new government. But in our new constituency of St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, you can make your vote count.
You can vote for change. For a new voice.
You can vote for a reboot. For a fresh approach.
There has never been a better chance to choose your MP.
A chance to vote for someone who really listens and speaks with a local voice.
Someone who cares passionately about this area and its people 365 days a year 24/7… not just at election time.
At last, you can use your vote to select a strong, independent MP, who will listen to you, work hard for you, and not just be voting fodder for party whips.
Our constituency stretches from St Neots (Cambridgeshire’s biggest town, and my home for over a decade) to Histon and Impington on the edge of Cambridge.
It takes in Papworth, Cambourne and Northstowe, and many wonderful villages along the way, several of which it has been my honour to represent on the County Council.
As a passionately independent politician, I put principles ahead of party politics.
Getting things done right, rather than hiding behind a party rosette.
I’m a serving District and County Councillor and have been Mayor of St Neots and Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council.
I have a good grasp of the big issues facing this region and how you feel about them.
I’ve worked with politicians of all parties to make things happen. And unlike some of the party-selected candidates I’ve been on the right side of history on the big issues affecting YOU:
- I was the first local politician to call for the GCP to be disbanded because of the congestion charge debacle
- I voted to try to divert the course of the C2C Busway away from Coton Orchard
- I have worked to protect this region from the flooding that’s devastated too many homes and businesses.
I can do the same for you at Westminster:
- I will put your interests first — not what’s best for a political party.
- I will work tirelessly for you.
- I’ll vote with my conscience on the big national issues — supporting the government when they get it right, and being a thorn in their side when they don’t.
- I’ll be judged on my words and votes.
- I’ll work with people across the political spectrum to ensure our region is not trampled over in the stampede for growth in Cambridge.
Understandably, all political parties are backing that growth agenda — Cambridge is one of the UK’s few economic success stories in recent years.
But can you really trust them to prioritise the concerns of St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire’s existing residents?
The plan’s impact will be felt way beyond Cambridge, with the A421/428 and East West Rail projects opening up vast tracts of rural land for housing development.
Housing is a burning issue, but new developments must benefit us all — not just Cambridge’s boom.
They should bring more people to our high streets and businesses. They should have the right facilities, such as GP surgeries, schools, shops, and leisure facilities for all age groups from day one.
If elected, I will work tirelessly to ensure the government, our councils, agencies, and commercial developers seize the opportunity to design settlements, services, and transport infrastructure that benefit all of us.
If the Conservatives truly cared, we’d have had the infrastructure Cambridgeshire needed long ago.
If Labour were serious about St Neots and Mid Cambs, they wouldn’t have parachuted in a councillor from London who was unknown not only to residents, but also to local party activists.
As for the Lib Dems, do you remember the congestion zone fiasco? Their flip flops over East West Rail and Coton Orchard?
There really has never been a better time to vote independent.
I already have support from across the political spectrum — including Labour and Liberal Democrat party members, amongst others, urging me to stand.
I hope you will support me too — it’s high time our towns and villages had a strong, independent voice in parliament.
Let’s make July 4 our very own Independent’s Day in St Neots and Mid Cambs!
![Councillor visit to ESCC (L-R: Councillor Geoffrey Seef, County Councillor for St Neots The Eatons [local councillor]; Rob Ashwell, chairman of ESCC; Cllr Alex Bulat Vice-Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council's Communities, Social Mobility, and Inclusion Committee). Credit to Cambridgeshire County Council.](https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Councillor-visit-to-ESCC_cropped-400x240.jpg)
![Councillor visit to ESCC (L-R: Councillor Geoffrey Seef, County Councillor for St Neots The Eatons [local councillor]; Rob Ashwell, chairman of ESCC; Cllr Alex Bulat Vice-Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council's Communities, Social Mobility, and Inclusion Committee). Credit to Cambridgeshire County Council.](https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Councillor-visit-to-ESCC_cropped-80x80.jpg)