ABOUT ME

I live in central Bath and have been campaigning on local issues since I was selected as the prospective MP for our city in early 2007. I am interested in many policy areas, ranging from the economy and crime to education and health where I organised a 4,000 signature petition to stop the transfer of gynaecological cancer services from Bath's RUH to Bristol.

Above all, I am keen to use my nearly 10 year business experience as a management consultant to develop policies which will help Bath cope with the recession and the credit crunch. I also advise David Willetts MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills and sit on the Council of the Bow Group, a centre-right think tank.

Born in 1972, I grew up in Germany where I was educated at the local state school. Before starting university at Oxford to read Politics, Philosophy and Economics, I spent a year working full-time for a charity helping elderly and disabled people. Experiencing first hand how life with a disability can be a daily struggle has made me particularly sensitive to the needs of the frail and disabled.

In my (limited) free time, I enjoy cooking for friends - offset by regular rounds of squash! I also like going to the cinema and to concerts at the Pump Room, and I have become a Friend of the Theatre Royal in Bath.

Having spent my entire adult life in Britain, I am now seeking to serve our country as the Member of Parliament for Bath.