Why me?

Ive lived in the Rother Valley constituency all of my adult life. I run a small local family business, as does my wife. I don't make fortunes, don't live in a huge house, I spend as much time as possible with my family. I like a pint on a Friday night (I can't do Saturday if I do Friday any more!). I work hard, and I enjoy my time off. I try to give as much as possible to local charities and community organisations. I love living in Aston, around the corner from my Mum.

Until 2005 I'd also been a Labour voter too - my disappointment at the justification of the Iraq War leading to me abstaining in that election. To date Ive only voted once since then - in the EU referendum. (I was very much undecided until the last minute on that one - and decided on the day to vote Remain purely to retain my EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) as I travel a lot! I strongly believe (and advocate) that as a country we have voted to Leave, and Leave we must. Whatever the arguments on our economy, our democracy must be the priority.

I have decided to stand as an Independent candidate for Rother Valley in the 2019 election for 3 reasons.

1. Over recent years I have become increasingly aware that our outgoing MP Kevin Barron appeared to be at odds with local feeling on issues like HS2 and Fracking. His record of voting in favour of these projects regardless of the feelings of people in our region was annoying to me.

2. It is my personal belief that MPs should represent their constituents first, their political party second. That view is not held or shared by many who are affiliated to political parties. I want to actively represent the Rother Valley region in Parliament - and have a much closer contact with ALL of its residents - not just the ones who wear a red rosette.

3. I feel that the Labour Party that has represented Rother Valley for so many years is now unrecognisable to the vast majority of its residents. I also feel that the Labour Party has arrogantly assumed that our constituency will blindly vote for 'anybody in a red rosette' - and has nominated a young, inexperienced candidate, from the Left of the party that will ‘do as she’s told’. I don't want to be represented by someone who is clearly being fast-tracked into a life as a career MP, and especially one supported by Momentum, who in everything but name are the modern day equivalent of Militant in the 80s.

I think this is to the detriment of the Rother Valley region. Frankly we deserve better.

If I am elected to serve our region I will do so passionately - and I absolutely guarantee for no more than 2 terms. I will genuinely represent the views of local residents. I will summarise my own personal feelings on local issues on this website.

Thank you

Nigel Short