What would you bring to the role of MEP?
Richard Robinson: For 20 years I have run businesses in Europe:
paper in Barcelona, property and language schools in Madrid, computers
in Toulouse. I speak French and Spanish. I have the knowledge and
skills to get the best deals for individuals, companies and councils in
the South East Region.
Niina Kaariniemi: I will use my communication skills to improve two- way information exchange. I will fight to hold each EU Commissioner personally accountable for their budget. I believe in local accountability and devolution of power from EU and I will stand up for Britain’s fair share and rights in EU
Therese Coffey: We need to gain seats and I am a campaigner. As finance director of a medium-sized business, I plan to bring some reality to Parliament and financial scrutiny of the Commission and Overseas Aid budgets. Above all - I love my country. I want to get powers back from Brussels. I will battle for Britain.
Mark Brunel-Walker: I will represent your views at the European level, ensuring European Policies remain accountable to our population and its needs. I will promote a better understanding of the relevance of the EU and its policies, working with schools, the health sector, communities and businesses. I will bring hard work, humility, pride, trust and respect to the role of MEP - characteristics that I feel define us as a Nation.
Tony Devenish: As an active Conservative for 25 years' who has lived/worked in no fewer than four of the seven South East counties , I am a proven campaigner who will use the the role of an MEP as a spring board to repatriate powers from Brussels and defeat Gordon Brown.
Sarah Richardson: Twenty years’ commitment to the Conservative Party as a campaigner, a professional, a volunteer, an activist and a fundraiser. I also have the experience of being an MEP candidate in 2004 and expertise as a journalist and councillor giving a strong voice to those that struggle to be heard.
Why have you chosen to stand for the South East?
Richard Robinson:
I was born in Kent and live in Surrey. I have been a councillor in Rochester and Association and Area Chairman in Surrey. I am currently Deputy Chairman of the Party in the South East. I was a candidate in region in the 2004 European Elections and have worked with our MEPs here since.
Niina Kaarinemia: I live and work in the region and have first hand experience of the many local and regional issues. I am passionate about helping to bring about improvements to areas in the South East that are neglected by this government. I have campaigned in local and national elections in the SE, recruited many people to the Conservative cause and established a strong network of like-minded people in the South East.
Therese Coffey: I stood in the 2004 European Election in the South East and campaigned across the region then. I have lived and worked in Hampshire (in the South East) since 1997, after leaving university. I have been an activist for twenty years and am constituency chairman for NW Hants.
Mark Brunel-Walker: I've lived and worked here all my life. I have campaigned in many of the Constituencies that make up this great Region. I have spent a lot of time travelling the region, either walking sections of the South Down way, Concerts at Leeds Castle, sailing on the Solent and weekends on the south coast – I have a deep understanding of many of the issues facing local communities today.
Tony Devenish: My family and I have lived in the South East since my grandfather bought land in 1899 that was compulsory purchased and is now part of Heathrow airport . Opposing socialism and nationalisation is in my blood! Currently I work in Surrey and previously worked in Berkshire.
Sarah Richardson: My husband and I moved to Kent to bring up our family. It’s where I now
work both as a journalist and a lobbyist for young people’s charity
Rainer. I want to preserve the quality of life and community which
attracted us and other families to the region.
