What would you bring to the role of MEP?
Julie Girling: I have the experience to do the job properly from senior management jobs in Argos, Dixons and Boots, time in the Far East, running a small company and winning elections at District and County level. My fellow Gloucestershire Conservatives chose me as District Council Leader then County Cabinet Portfolio Holder. If you ask them they’ll tell you I work unstintingly, I get things done, I deliver for my voters.
Ashley Fox: I've worked for our Party since 1985, in good times and bad. I am an experienced campaigner and will stand up for Britain's interests at all times. I am determined to oppose the Lisbon treaty, even if it is ratified. I shall expose fraud in the EU and will not to go native.
Mike Dolley: I would bring an absolute passion to stand up for British interests and a determination to campaign on issues that matter to the South West. I would bring a resolve to bury once and for all the grand designs of Common Foreign and Defence policies. I would also bring a wealth of political experience and an in depth knowledge of the region as a whole (including Gibraltar!).
Don Collier: I have a wide range of business and political experience which I believe suits the roll well. I don’t believe in a Federal United States of Europe. I do believe in free trade and free competition in the EU and individual sovereign states. I believe in Democracy, Accountability and Transparency. I will stand up for what I believe in and I will fight for the South West, England and the UK.
Zehra Zaidi: I have the energy, commitment and expertise to give the South West a strong voice in Europe. I have been involved in European policy/legal issues for 15 years and I have always been against the federal project. I hope to use my experience in legal and economic reform work to push for greater transparency and accountability, to claw back powers to member states and shift the EU’s focus to trade and global poverty, and to engage the public on issues through local campaigning and community activism. I want to use my truly international background and passion for foreign affairs to defend British interests, particularly in tackling extremism.
Why have you chosen to stand for the South West?
Julie Girling: I've lived and worked in the SW for over 15 years, been an elected Councillor for the last 9, a (reluctant!) member of the Regional Assembly and numerous other public bodies from Housing Associations to Urban Regeneration Boards. I understand the issues affecting us from Farming to Tourism, from Employment Law Directives to Cross Compliance. I want the SW represented in Brussels by MEP's who have a track record of making things happen.
Ashley Fox: I've lived in the South West for 20 years. I am a solicitor and my practice covers the whole of the region, from the docks in Falmouth to Cheltenham magistrates court. I stood as the parliamentary candidate for Bath in 2001. I was elected as a Bristol City Councillor in 2002 and doubled my majority 4 years later.
Mike Dolley: Because it is my home. It is where I live, work (and play). Many of my family live here and I know it intimately. I also know and understand the issues that must be championed. I would struggle to name a constituency in the Region in which I have not personally campaigned.
Don Collier: It's simple, I live in the South West and I have lived and worked in the
South West since 1984. It's a very beautiful place and I know it well.
From Gibraltar to Tewkesbury, Christchurch to the Isles of Scilly,
there are practically no parts that I have not visited for; work,
pleasure and/or Politics. It is under threat from the increasing
burden of EU regulation and I want to fight to free it from that and to
keep it the diverse and beautiful region I love.
Zehra Zaidi: I have lived in Gloucestershire for 15 years. You can’t live in the South West without wanting to give our farmers and fishermen a fair deal, reduce EU red tape to free up business and tourism, support projects for better transport infrastructure, rural development and urban regeneration and ensure that there is a balanced approach to renewable energy. When I chose to stand as a Euro candidate I visited the entire region (including Gibraltar) in order to listen to people's concerns. If elected I will be visible throughout the whole region, accessible, work closely with Conservatives across the region and keep people informed of my activities and what’s going on in the EU.
