My Background
I grew up in Suffolk where my father was a Consultant and my mother an Occupational Therapist at West Suffolk Hospital. My father, of whom I have no memory, died of cancer when I was little over a year old. His legacy in the community inspired me to public service. I watched my mother work hard to support us and struggled personally and academically after she remarried but fortunately found a mentor in a local businessman who encouraged me to strive for success. These challenging early years shaped much of my outlook today.
My grandparents were farmers and we’ve still a very small farm remaining. As a result, I’ve always been acutely aware of how our agricultural community, landscapes, countryside and wildlife all define, shape and sustain our nation. I’ve seen at first-hand how ill-conceived development, planning and energy policies can threaten these defining characteristics. Here in Waveney Valley, the importance of these issues could not be more acute. With a grandparent from Norfolk and Suffolk, I’m no stranger to the friendly rivalry between our two counties!
Family values are incredibly important to me. I live in Suffolk with my wife, Caroline, whose family home is in Mellis near Diss, and our five dogs.
My Experience
I’ve experience across the private and public sector. My early career was spent advising Members of Parliament, parliamentary candidates and think tanks. This enabled me to learn, very quickly, how to get things done in Westminster. My work also focused on media relations and ensuring local communities benefitted from the best possible representation. Taking a break from the political sphere, I opened a gym which brought CrossFit to the community at an affordable price. During the same period, we diversified our small family farm through the creation of a wedding and events venue – now an award winning rural business. In 2017, I was elected to Suffolk County Council, where I serve as Deputy Leader.
I have become the most experienced politician in the UK at responding to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) in the energy sector. I have devised our strategy and response to numerous large energy projects and led negotiations with government and developers. I’ve led on our opposition to the East Anglia Green pylon run (now known as Norwich to Tilbury) and our calls for an offshore alternative, our negotiations with EDF around the delivery of Sizewell C, securing a compensation and mitigation package in excess of £200m for the region, alongside fighting proposals for the Sunnica Solar Farm. I have spoken on the national stage, and written for Conservative Home, about the importance of delivering energy security and how it must not come at the cost of good food producing land. This work requires me to meet regularly with government departments, ministers and officials to fight for the best deal for local communities.
I am an experienced and highly visible local campaigner and have served at all council levels from parish through to county. I know how to get things done and ensure local people have confidence in their elected representative.