I am sat here at 07:16 a.m. having woken about an hour ago unable to sleep.  Thoughts buzzing through my head.  So why not share them with the www.  Good morning – or if you are elsewhere than in the constituency good day.  The last few days have shifted the campaign in Sleaford and North Hykeham from an open competition to a 2 horse race.  A race between me, the local Liberal Democrat and the London Tory.  Sunday night at St. Denys Church set out two clear camps.  The local candidate who, if elected, has committed himself to being a full time Member of Parliament.  I have promised that I will be spending time in both the House of Commons and the constituency.  The other camp is the London Tory who clearly believes he can continue to work and his contacts as a barrister will give him an understanding of the people of Sleaford and North Hykeham.  I totally disagree.

Waiting for a bus in Timberland

For the past 20 years we have had a Tory barrister as our MP and it has not brought funding or prosperity to the constituency.  We have had 13 years of Labour and before that 18 years of Tory rule yet we still have dreadful infrastructure, poor public transport and lack affordable housing.  The average local wage is just over £17,500.  Even at 4 times salary that only gives £70,000 as a mortgage.  So with 2 bedroomed houses starting at around £100,000 that is a £30,000 shortfall.

I have made made my personal promise to the constituency as a whole but in particular to groups that have come up to me in during the campaign including, Bonner House Campaigners, Nocton Dairy campaigners, villagers in the west of constituency affected by lorries, the Scouts in Sleaford, some teachers in both senior and one junior school to be a full time MP.  To be able to work with these people I need people in Sleaford and North Hykeham to take that leap of faith and vote for me on Thursday.  

Being a Member of Parliament must be your full time job.  Keeping up to date with issues and matters is achieved by being in the constituency on a weekly basis, coming home and meeting people not just being a weekend visitor.  The sign of a good MP is not where he lives whether that being a duck house with a moat or semi-detached house with a shared drive but that he is able to related to people of all strata of society on a regular basis.  Living in London does not, in my opinion, meet that criteria.

As we move into the last two full days of campaigning the rising sun gives me hope that I can continue to get out and about meeting people and asking people to support me on Thursday.  I know many have already voted using the postal vote system and it is very heartening to know so many have voted for me.  People came up to me at the Sleaford Market on Saturday to tell me they had voted for me or were going to do so.  The same happened on Monday in the Forum in North Hykeham.  The message they are giving is that they want a positive change and want it locally as well as nationally. 

People are talking about the Liberal Democrats pledges and policies.  Our pledge on fair taxation that will result in many families being better off paying no tax on the first £10,000 of their income.  Our pledge on fair chances so that every child  gets the individual attention they need for by example cutting class sizes.  Our pledge on a fair future whch will create jobs by making Britain greener and will break up the banks and get them lending again so we can build a decent infrastructure here in Sleaford and North Hykeham.  Our last pledge is to clean up politics.  As a nurse I believe I can offer you that.  Moreover as a nurse you already have a level of trust that we together can build on.

I close to the strains of Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World coming from my cd player.  It really can be if  we move forward together.

On Thursday (6th of May) I hope that the people of Sleaford and North Hykeham will have the confidence in me as the local candidate to support me to become the next Member of Parliament for the constituency.  So that together we can a real positive change.  So take that leap of faith and vote for your future, your children’s future, your grandchildren’s future, vote for the Liberal Demorats.

Thank you.