Ben Habib on BBCQT 22 June 2023
Introduction by Ben Habib:
Those of us who believe in the United Kingdom have unfinished business. Our country did not leave the EU as one United Kingdom. Northern Ireland has been annexed by the EU, subject to foreign laws and courts.
Neither has Great Britain broken free of EU laws and commitments. Those same deals require us to abide by EU state aid, competition, employment, the ECHR, and environmental laws.
Our language, history, heritage, values, and national heroes are under attack. Aspiration has been replaced by dependency, wealth creation by wealth redistribution.
Politically, legally, culturally, and economically we are mired in European socialism. The country desperately needs Reform.
Ben Habib August 2023
Below are Hampshire's & IOW Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs)
Please either scroll down or click on a name to see their introduction.
Aldershot - Trevor Lloyd-Jones
Basingstoke - Raymond Saint
East Hampshire - In progress
Eastleigh - Clare Fawcett
Fareham & Waterlooville - Kevan Chippindall-Higgin
Gosport - Matt Mulliss
Hamble Valley - Caroline Gladwin
Havant - John Perry
Isle of Wight East -Sarah Morris
Isle of Wight West - Ian Pickering
New Forest East - Roy Swales
New Forest West - Reginald Chester-Sterne
North East Hampshire - In progress
North West Hampshire - Andrew Meacham
Portsmouth North - Mel Todd
Portsmouth South - Mark Zimmer
Romsey & Southampton North - Harry Sheffield
Southampton Itchen - In progress
Southampton Test - John Edwards
Winchester - In progress
Aldershot - Trevor Lloyd-Jones
Trevor Lloyd- Jones went to school and grew up in Yateley in Northeast Hampshire from childhood. Former school governor specialising in data, education KPIs, and performance, he has experience managing small businesses before a lifetime career in journalism, publishing, marketing, and the digital and technology industries. An economist and business analyst by training, he’s also an author of non-fiction, commentator, and contributor to hundreds of publications and economic journals around the world from the FT, to Time Magazine, to Middle East Economic Review. Former Conservative and former Conservative candidate Trevor is standing on a true reform agenda and a ‘small c’ conservative agenda: reform of the NHS, the judiciary, tax, with a pro-growth economic plan, and a new deal for young people on student debt and on home ownership.
He’s campaigning against cuts to the armed forces, the hollowing out of Britain’s defence sector, and this government’s shoddy treatment of veterans. Trevor was one of the Brexit Party candidates who stood aside for the Boris Johnson intake of Conservatives at the 2019 election. After more than a decade of the Conservatives, the public has become conditioned to failure. They’ve become used to ministers blaming everyone but themselves, whether it’s the House of Lords, immigration lawyers, EU bureaucrats, or the European Court of Human Rights. In the media and locally Trevor is lobbying passionately for a new kind of bottom-up politics, an open, more ambitious, and accessible politics. He speaks out against undemocratic and faceless global organizations taking the place of our democratic institutions. When not on the campaign trail Trevor can be found enjoying countryside walks or writing books on philosophy, ‘conscious capitalism’, and politics. He holds a degree in Economics and Public Administration from the University of London and a Masters degree in Business Administration.
| Website | https://www.trevorlloydjones.com |
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| Twitter: | @tlloydjones |
Basingstoke - Raymond Saint
I left school at 16 with two O levels and joined The General Post Office (now BT) as an apprentice. On completion of my apprenticeship, I applied to join a research and development section of the company and was accepted. It was during my employment in this section of the company that BT financed me to study for my BA degree and eventually my MSc degree.
I took early retirement at age 49 and retrained as a plumber. I started a plumbing company and sold the company after 8 years. For the final 2 years of my working life, I returned to Basingstoke College to teach others plumbing and heating skills.
I would regard myself as conservative and always voted accordingly but unfortunately during the last few years I found myself politically homeless as the party has completely lost Its way and in my opinion can no longer be regarded as conservative. After 13 years of this government, the country seems to be completely broken and no one in the administration appears to have a clue how to fix the problems. This is the reason I decided to join the Reform Party in the hope that together we can try to bring the country back to some kind of normality.
My first, priority would be to fix our borders and make them secure. The second would be to reform the health service to make it more efficient to a point where it’s no longer a money pit. This could be achieved by reducing the bureaucracy and top-heavy management structures within the organization and this would free up funds to provide more front-line staff. My third priority would be to drastically reduce the size of the government. There are many other outstanding problems that require fixing such as getting people who can work off benefits and back into the workforce, increasing the number of personnel in our armed forces, and investing in our energy infrastructure such as research into fusion nuclear power as well as ordinary nuclear power as wind and solar will not keep the lights on.
I would like to see an end to this crazy dash to a green future and go for a more sensible process that allows a gradual progression as and when the technology becomes available. I would also like to see the education system changed to prevent our children from being indoctrinated with the woke ideology and other nonsense that they are being taught today and get back to a basic education.
Finally, I feel that we need to get back to government by consent and pull back from the slide to a dictatorial style government which appears to have happened over recent years. It should not be forgotten that if you represent your constituents in Parliament you should not be dictating to them but representing their views.
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East Hampshire - In progress
Eastleigh - Clare Fawcett
In progress
Fareham & Waterlooville - Kevan Chippindall-Higgin
I moved down to South East Hampshire from London in 1989 and have lived here ever since.
I have worked in a number of different industries and throughout my adult life, have worried about victims. The obvious definition of a victim is one who has been someone who has been the subject of crime or some sort of accident.
I look at this from a slightly broader viewpoint. Victims are those who, thanks to the incompetence of governments over the decades, cannot now afford to pay the mortgage, the energy bill or cope with the rising cost of food. Added to this is the inability to access services for which every one of us has paid, like a decent education and proper healthcare.
Government spending, taxing and borrowing is now totally out of control and there are no signs of it coming under control. Taxes are now on a par with the immediate aftermath of WW2, a time when we still had an Empire to administer and run down as well as vast debts as a result of the most destructive war the world has ever seen.
I was selected to stand in Fareham and Waterlooville for Reform UK. This is the only party that has common sense policies that will start to right the wrongs suffered by us, the victims. The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Please help me take that step.
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| Mobile: | 07901 306219 |
Gosport - Matt Mulliss
I am honoured to be your PPC for the Beautiful Gosport area. I joined the Reform UK party as their policies and drive for change very much resonate with my own values and views wanting to be part of a country to be proud of again.
I grew up in Hampshire and played on the Solent all my life. I come from a hardworking and honest family with an amazing hard-working mother and father. I started work at 16 on a YTS (youth training scheme) apprenticeship earning £34.50 a week. I am now a marine engineer as well as Captain and through my work have travelled far and wide around the World, working on varied marine / sailing projects in different countries dealing with a wide range of people and cultures.
I also was a senior crewman for volunteer marine search and rescue operations, my last post being the British Virgin Islands ( VISAR ) where I lived for a few years before being displaced by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. These storms took my business and home and after endeavouring to rebuild for months finally made the decision to return to our home here in Hampshire. Hurricanes are nothing short of a nuisance and a costly inconvenience luckily none to be found here in Gosport!
I still work as a marine engineer / skipper in the Solent area and around Gosport. The water has been my life. I am also a marine conservationist and marine life enthusiast who has and will continue to fight for the good of our oceans, our treasured Gosport coast lines and beaches. I’ve always been fighting for one cause or another from being in major hurricanes, earthquakes and various other testing events. While being overseas 10 years ago I was diagnosed with cancer which I fought and won thanks to the help of our much loved and essential NHS who work tirelessly and go above and beyond to look after us sometimes performing nothing less than miracles on a daily basis. With Reform UK we will make the NHS great again.
I have fought some tremendous battles and won time and time again. Losing and giving up is not part of my make up and that being said this is also my promise to my Gosport constituents. I will fight for you with everything I have I will fight with the strength and valour life has shown me and together we will make our communities thrive and prosper. I will take your fight and make it mine and with your vote together we can make a difference. We can make ourselves proud again. We can make Gosport and Britain great once more. I’m looking forward to meeting and representing you all.
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Hamble Valley - Caroline Gladwin
I am Caroline Gladwin and I am a lawyer and I am delighted to be standing as the Reform Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for the new constituency of Hamble Valley. There can be nobody who does not despair about the current political situation, the wasted opportunities, and the broken promises from the same old parties, who will just carry on doing the same old things if we let them let us down time and time again and just continue to bring this country and us all to our knees. Now it is time to get off our knees and demand reform and demand change for the benefit of the people, not the agenda that the old parties and politicians want and the only party that can offer this is the new Reform Party.
As a previous member of the Conservative Party, I felt betrayed and resigned in 2019 out of frustration over Brexit and many other things. Those representing us in Parliament did not even represent the grass root Conservatives let alone the Public and the situation has got even worse since then with the parties now blended into a Parliamentary mono-party. It was my honour to be selected as a Parliamentary Candidate for the Brexit Party in 2019 and we stood aside for Boris Johnson’s Conservatives upon the promise of a real Brexit but as it turned out we were just let down by them yet again. I was ready then and I am ready now to be an MP who will not only put my Constituents first but will put my Country first and will strive for the improvements in everyone’s lives that we deserve and only the Reform Party can make a reality.
The Reform Party will ensure that everyone is financially better off and not just the rich. The Reform Party will give us cheaper energy and crucially energy stability without threats of power cuts. The Reform Party will reform the NHS and make long waiting lists a thing of the past. The Reform Party has new and wonderful solutions to the rest of the many problems that we are facing. The Reform Party is our bright future and I am now calling on the politically homeless and everyone who has been let down by the old parties with their same tired old empty and broken promises to now join me in the bright and better future that only the Reform Party can give us.
Now is the time for reform and change and you owe it to yourself and for our future generations to choose me and the Reform Party at this Election.
Havant - John Perry
I have decided to stand for Reform as I am dismayed at how the Conservatives have been handling: the economy, our NHS, immigration, housing, and prematurely implementing NetZero. Locally I am greatly concerned about raw sewage being pumped into our bathing waters and the proposal to put treated raw sewage into our drinking water.
Fundamental to my concerns is the lack of honesty, integrity, and business acumen of politicians who have little or no expertise in commerce, business, or life experiences.
See on this page how Ben Habib clearly articulates how Brexit benefits have been denied by the Government agreeing to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU, to deny us trading opportunities.
Meanwhile, during the COVID pandemic, the Government wasted: £34 billion of taxpayer money on a private test and trace system that never worked; issued uncontrolled COVID loans with no attempt to prevent or detect fraud; and gave out outrageous PPE contracts to supporters who made unjustified outrageous profits.
The Government allowed over one million legal migrants into the UK in 2022 and is making no attempt to stop the migrants from crossing the Channel by illegal means, preferring to give contracts worth billions of pounds to the private sector to locate in the Channel, bring ashore and house these mainly young male migrants in 4-star hotels. High levels of immigration increase the demand for housing and so increase house prices and rents.
Our NHS is failing because far too few British doctors are being given the opportunity to train here. The Government prefers to recruit nurses from abroad to resolve the nurse shortage created by their abolition of nurse’s bursaries and these bursaries must be reinstated.
All the wasteful spending, including the £100 billion on HS2 has increased the National Debt since the Conservatives came to power in 2010 from 50% to 100% of GDP, which we as taxpayers must pay back with interest, so stunting economic growth while pursuing an unaffordable Net Zero policy that will make us net poorer. This Net Zero policy must be reversed.
I want to help REFORM politics for good, please help me, to help make Havant and the UK a better place.
| Website | https://johnperry.org.uk |
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| Linked In | John Perry LinkedIn |
| Reform UK Havant Facebook | |
| Twitter: | @john_perry_uk |
Isle of Wight East - Sarah Morris
My name is Sarah Morris. I am the prospective candidate for Reform UK Isle of Wight East. I believe we need something new, and that other Islanders want change too. I am extremely frustrated and disappointed with what we currently have on offer, and so I have to try and make a difference.
We, as taxpayers, deserve a system that puts us first. A government free from corruption and cronyism. We need to stop our money from being wasted and given out in questionable contracts. Most of those who currently run the country, and indeed those in opposition, have no idea what we are facing now and in the coming years. Price hikes on food, energy, and mortgage rates, alongside possible food shortages and power cuts. We need ordinary people with common sense speaking up for us.
A lot of families are on or very close to the breadline, and it absolutely wouldn’t be this way if the country was actually being run for us. We need innovative ideas to deal with the many costs of lockdown, be it financial, the toll taken on our health system, or the impact on our children’s education. Reform UK has a solid plan that includes all the issues that need to be fixed.
The political class has been playing games with our lives. Their bad decisions never affect them. I am proud to be British, but we’ve lost focus and control. We need to reform the systems and get back to ones that work for us…Rebuild a country that we can be proud of, one we can be proud to pass down to future generations
| Website | https://sarahmorris.uk/ |
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| Facebook: | Sarah Morris |
| @SarahMorrisIOW | |
| Sarah Morris Reform UK | |
| YouTube | Sarah ReformUK |
| Mobile | 07435 122180 |
Isle of Wight West - Ian Pickering
I am a retired teacher who specialised in working with children with special educational needs. I am a resident of Freshwater and I am the prospective parliamentary candidate for Reform UK, Isle of Wight West.
I believe that successive governments have placed too much emphasis on education to degree level. Encouraging and training young people to become the skilled men and women of the future will not only equip them to build a career for life but also help the country find the builders and engineers needed to solve the housing shortage we now face, as well as developing and growing our manufacturing capability as new technologies emerge.
I advocate a ban on any foreign fishing vessels entering British waters so that the pressure on fish stocks is reduced. Rigorous scientific studies of stock levels and maturity should determine the size of the annual commercial harvest to ensure a healthy, growing population of fish for the future. I am passionate about beach and small boat angling and a volunteer at the National Coastwatch Institution, Needles.
This country emits a tiny proportion of global CO₂ produced each year and we as a nation should not face the huge financial cost of trying to solve a problem we can have little influence over. Net zero must stop as we will remain reliant on fossil fuels until real solutions for domestic, commercial, and transport energy needs can be developed.
The number of people entering this country as economic migrants is out of control but the small boat crossings from France can be stopped immediately and legally. Those already here should be assessed quickly and efficiently regarding their right to enter, and either returned to their home country or allowed to stay, if appropriate, as the burden on housing, health services, education, and the benefits system is overwhelming this country. A points system should be introduced to allow and welcome qualified individuals, who will benefit the UK, to enter the country and apply for leave to remain.
I think government should plan for the long term, not for re-election. Fully separating ourselves, and Northern Ireland, from the EU and leaving the ECHR will give us that opportunity.
The Reform Party will promise and deliver for this country.
Please could I ask you to consider donating to my Parliamentary Campaign by using this GoFUND.ME link. Thank you
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| Mobile | 07553 011606 |
New Forest East - Roy Swales
In progress - details coming soon.
New Forest West - Reginald Chester-Sterne
I was born at the Fenwick in Lyndhurst and have lived in The Forest all my life. I have been married for forty-five years and my three children and four grandchildren live locally.
I am an Engineer by profession and have worked all over the world in seventeen different countries. I have dealt with Government officials, written legislation and managed high value projects with very large work forces.
Having owned four local businesses, I now retain two of them and I am what is known as a Commoner and de-pasture pedigree English longhorn cattle on The Forest. My main focus has been managing my businesses and my cattle, so am fully aware of the current trials and tribulations affecting everybody; individuals and business.
I fully believe it is time for a change and I can be effective in bringing about that change. I have vast experience as well as depth in life and can utilise these in bringing about the change this country, its people and its political system requires.
I was a lifelong Conservative voter, but have been alienated one too many times. I believe that the Reform Party can bring about the changes that are required and can end the drift and make Britain a fit place to live again. My political focus is reining in excessive spending and waste by Civil Service personnel; managed by Conservative Ministers. Local issues are mainly to do with The Forest and its multi-agency contradictory management.
It is time our two New Forest Conservative Parliamentary Members were removed and I believe I would make a more than adequate replacement. Your support in my efforts to get elected would be highly appreciated.
North East Hampshire - In progress
In progress.
North West Hampshire - Andrew Meacham
I was born in Kendal in 1966 and was educated to sixth form level, I then joined the Royal Navy in 1983 and started my career in marine engineering. In 1990 I was honourably discharged and returned to education to read Mechanical Engineering, graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering honours degree. I was recruited by BAE Systems (Marine) as a Marine Design Engineer at the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard where I worked on Trident SSBN and Astute SSN submarine design and build projects.
I joined BP in 2001 and started my second career in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. During my time at BP, I worked in many different areas of heavy engineering, both onshore and offshore as an engineer and managing superintendent. Primarily based in the UK, I travelled to and worked in 34 countries globally on various assignments relating to Energy exploration, production and transportation.
I am a highly qualified, experienced and successful Engineer, a registered Chartered Engineer, an elected Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and now run an Energy Consultancy Business. I am also a Liveryman in the Worshipful Company of Engineers and have been awarded the Freedom of the City of London.
My partner Kathryn and I have been married since 1996 and we moved to our North Hampshire home 20 years ago.
I have always voted Conservative and believed in the party's values. However, I have become increasingly alarmed with the caliber of the leaders that have been churned through in recent years.
We are all witnessing an ever decreasing spiral that the UK is now suffering, in just about every attribute of our society. Parliament has become completely dysfunctional. The divisions that are now fragmenting our once tolerant and United Kingdom are, as many will at least be privately thinking, a real threat to our societies freedoms and democracy at every level.
Neither of the two main parties have any viable plans or credible policies that can navigate the UK out of these perilous waters.
I am convinced that Reform UK has the vision, policies, and most of all… the leadership to make Britian Great again for the vast majority and the minorities.
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| https://www.facebook.com/andy.meacham.1 | |
| https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-meacham-295361213/ |
Portsmouth North - Mel Todd
My name is Mel Todd, and until recently, was the Managing Director of a Security Company, responsible for the HS2 Pipeline Project, amongst others. I resigned from my position to focus on my recent appointment as the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Reform Party, Portsmouth North.
In 1982, after my service in the Military, working mostly in Belize, Central America, I joined Hampshire Constabulary, where I was posted to Portsmouth. Throughout my 25 years in Hampshire, I had the most wonderful time, when policemen were policemen, and served the public without fear, nor favour. I worked on the Miners dispute in 1984, which enabled me to pass both my Sergeants Exam and my Inspector exam. I served on various departments, including CID, Uniform, Crime Units, Traffic Department, and Training. I finally resigned my position, as I felt the police was no longer the service I joined, and entered into business.
I had an amazing time, rising to Managing Director of various companies, including Arizona Limited, based in Nigeria, employed by Red Bull, to introduce their soft drink, to the 143 million population! After my contract was fulfilled, I purchased a company in Johannesburg, South Africa, where I had a very happy time, and met my future wife. I specialised in Renewable Energy, and became an expert in this field. I can talk expertly on all forms of alternative energy, and can give honest opinions on heat pumps, for example!
With our new daughter, we decided to move back to the UK, and moved back into my house in Drayton, which I had purchased as an investment, 15 years earlier. My wife is now a Staff Nurse at the QA in Portsmouth, and my daughter, an accomplished musician and singer, attends Portsmouth High School for Girls.
I have seen such sweeping changes in the United Kingdom, and frankly, I have been extremely disappointed in our politicians, allowing it to spiral out of our control. In particular, our policing has been destroyed by ideologies, not aligned with mine.
I saw a beacon of hope in the Reform Party, and was delighted at having the opportunity to join them, and hopefully, make a difference.
Lowering taxes, securing our borders and energy security are policies I wholeheartedly support, and together, I’m confident we can do it!
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Portsmouth South - Mark Zimmer
My connection with Portsmouth is one of pride and belonging, home of the Royal Navy, the birthplace of Charles Dickens, Hertha Marks Ayrton, Peter Sellers to name but a few. Our deep and rich history is the envy of many, we can even boast of being the only island city in Britain, another thing we Pomponians can be proud of.
From my time as a Fitter/Turner apprentice in HM Dockyard Portsmouth, site/safety manager at Admiralty Quarters, Queen Street & QA Hospital, Cosham, and now running my own business have allowed me to play my part in the past, present, and future of Portsmouth.
I have also been an invited guest speaker at various local councils, Police Forces & Neighbourhood Watch groups on the subject of home security, providing practical ways of tackling domestic burglary.
Never one to shy away from addressing hot topics and finding solutions with common sense and a straight-talking approach to both local and national issues.
I believe in free speech, but with free speech there is a responsibility, being open, honest, and thoughtful, built on facts not assumptions, and real debates not a shouting match.
I relish the opportunity to champion the causes and concerns that we, the unheard majority feel are not being taken seriously by the unseen policymakers.
‘’Putting the unity back into our community.’’
| Website | https://www.reformukportsmouth.co.uk |
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| Facebook: | Reform UK Portsmouth South |
| Twitter: | @Reformuk_pompey |
| reformukportsmouthsouth |
Romsey & Southampton North - Harry Sheffield
My name is Harry Sheffield. I am the Reform Candidate for Romsey & Southampton North and a retired Technical Sales Manager and School Governor.
I have lived in the Test Valley for 35+ years with my family. I believe that the Parliamentary Representative for this area should work for everyone, and reflect our core values, and aspirations.
I am committed to reducing the family income tax burden and making work pay. Dismayed that the Tories are freezing the Income Tax Personal Allowance at £1,042 per month until 2025/26, instead of rewarding work. The Reform Party wishes to increase this to £1,666 per month and thus allow people to keep more of what they earn. So if both “Mum & Dad” work, this has the potential to ensure the household income is in excess of £3,200 per month.
This is not being selfish (as the Socialist would say), but ensures the core of our great country, the Family, would prosper. It’s not hard, it’s common sense.
But being in work is not just about money, there are social, health, and other benefits that go with having an engaged and rewarded workforce, something successive governments seem to have forgotten; lower crime, better health, and less demands on the NHS to name but a few. This is not rocket science, and yet why is it so hard for our representatives? Why are they ignoring what affects the majority the most, and this forever focus on wokism?
In the post-war years of austerity, one definition of freedom was the motor car, the ownership of which the vast majority of people aspired. That remains today, and the continuing “Tax Burden on the Motorists” is a direct threat to these freedoms. ULEZ & “pay per mile” taxation must be stopped and common sense applied !!
Finally, to leave you with a thought “if you always do what you’ve done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got . . . so think out the box, Vote Reform ".
Thank you / Harry Sheffield
Southampton Itchen - In progress
In progress
Southampton Test - John Edwards
Reform UK has great policies that would immediately have a positive effect on everyone's income. Raising the tax threshold to £20,000 would immediately help those in low-paid employment. Reducing VAT on energy bills and reducing fuel duty would lower inflation, thereby benefiting both consumers and businesses.
Lowering corporation tax from the record high 25% would attract foreign investment and manufacturing to the UK. Future employment prospects would be more certain, unlike now. These policies will stimulate growth and make the country more prosperous.
The UK needs a workable immigration system such as other modern countries operate to enable us to choose those that would make a contribution to our nation. Having valid health insurance and employment skills to enter the UK would be just two requirements.
I am fully behind our party's stance over illegal migration and the plan to stop the boats and take the occupants of those boats, back to France. The Conservatives won't stop the boats. Labour has agreed with Brussels, to fly migrants into the UK from the EU.
I support reducing foreign aid and redirecting that money to help rebuild public services that have been decimated through underfunding.
Reforming the NHS means redistributing NHS finances to enable the training and retaining of doctors. Doing away with those wasteful management posts listed as diversity and equality officers would leave more cash for patient care. Reform sees everyone as one people in one nation, regardless of ethnicity, colour, or religion. Abolishing degree entry for nurses would attract more people into the profession.
Our country needs an affordable integrated transport system if we are to reduce congestion on our roads and combat subsequent pollution. Petrol and diesel vehicles should be retained until viable alternatives are ready.
Consecutive Tory governments have reduced our armed forces to a dangerous level, unable to respond to overseas threats. Reform UK is committed to rebuilding our armed forces.
Britain needs Reform UK to make Britain a great place to live and work in again.
| Website | https://www.john-edwards.org/ |
| Facebook: | Reform UK Southampton |
| Twitter: | johnedwards0955 |
| johnedwardsreformuk |
Winchester - In progress
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