Biography

I am proud to say that I am a 5th generation born and bred in Gravesend, Kent.

My father Stephen was also born in Gravesend and has served in the Metropolitan Police Force for nearly 30 years, which gives me an advantage of a firsthand insight into crime. My mother Hatsue was born in Okinawa, Japan, emigrating here over 25 years ago. This has given me an understanding of other cultures and the difficulties of settling and living in another country.

I went to Riverview Primary and Junior School and then onto Gravesend Grammar School for Girls where I did my GCSEs and A levels. In 2008 I graduated with a 2.1 from Sheffield University in management. Then I took off for a gap year in Australia, stopping first at Thailand where after a four week intense course, I qualified as an English teacher, so that I can teach anyone who does not have English as their first language.

I have always had a passion for travelling and have been lucky enough to go to an array of places, from seeing the cosmopolitan culture in New York to the poverty in Thailand. My extensive travelling assists my understanding and respect of Britain’s multi-cultural society.

During university, I trained with the Sheffield University Officers Training Corps (OTC). This gave me the skills and knowledge towards becoming mentally and physically fit enough to become an officer in the British Army.

Main Issues

Gravesham’s Representative

I am the only candidate that is born and bred in Gravesham thus the only one with a true understanding of what it is like to live, work and socialise in Gravesham. I will use my knowledge and understanding of the living in the working class town to contribute to scrutinising national issues of importance.

Honest and Transparent Politics

Unlike party MPs, I will not to confuse my constituents with complex political terminology. I will also be clear on how I come to all my decisions. My constituency will be able to trust me due to my down-to-earth nature, the fact my dad is a police sergeant and by me displaying all my expenses for the public to see.

All my policies are based on ‘intervention and prevention’, the idea that problems can often be averted with forward planning and thinking, looking into long term consequences. I am not a career politician but a leader, thus will use management theories and practice to assist me and my constituency in improving Gravesham and Great Britain.

Crime

We all want to live in a safer environment, and the best way is for the public to see more police on the street. Furthermore, early education into the options in life to avoid crime and better deterrents such as providing options for teenagers to avoid ‘boredom’ can help reduce mindless crimes. Today’s youth seems to have lost respect for society. I have been to Singapore and seen the gracious and courteous manner of the young there and strive towards that.

Education

The government needs to stop focusing on targets such as league tables and start concentrating on the pupils. There needs to emphasis on vocational courses and not just university academics. I am going to strive for better and more through sex education in schools (by looking at the Dutch system) and introduce lessons in basic life skills (such as how to avoid debt and understanding banking terms such as APR) in schools that would benefit from it.

Health

Obesity is a growing problem in Britain, and eating disorders are rising. By educating children about the importance of health before it becomes a problem is the solution. Furthermore, many health problems such as heart disease can be prevented by better health at an earlier age. Mental health is also important to understand as it affects 25% of us.

Sensitive and Sustainable Development

Gravesham is a beautifully historic town and any future developments need to take this into consideration. Long term considerations need to be looked at in line with Gravesham growth. I watched Sheffield transform from a rundown steel industrial city to a beautiful, modern service and tourism city, proving that development is possible whilst still maintaining its aesthetics.

Environment

The government needs to focus on alternative energy sources (such as the hybrid buses in Newcastle) and put more pressure on big businesses to recycle, reduce and reuse.