Why I’m Proud to Be a Conservative and Why I’ll Keep Ignoring Reform UK

As we approach the county council elections, I want to make one thing clear: local elections should be about local issues. They should be about the roads we drive on, the schools our children attend, the support we provide to our most vulnerable residents, and the services that keep our communities running.

In politics, you’re often asked to make a choice—not just about policies, but about the kind of team you want to be part of and the kind of future you want to help build. That’s why I remain a proud Conservative and why I will continue to ignore requests from Reform UK to stand as a candidate for the county council elections. I’ve been asked multiple times if I’d consider running for them. My answer remains the same: no.

For me, politics is about community, hard work, and delivering real results. It’s not about riding the latest wave of populist frustration. I’m proud to be part of an incredible team in West Oxfordshire and across the county —dedicated, hardworking individuals who put in the hours to show up at meetings, speak on the issues that matter, and work tirelessly to improve our local communities right across Oxfordshire.

Local government isn’t about showing up at election time —it’s about turning up to meetings, understanding the detail, and getting things done. It’s about fixing potholes, improving public transport, ensuring we have the right infrastructure for our growing communities, and making sure local services are efficient and effective. That’s what I, and my Conservative colleagues, focus on day in and day out.

Politics is a team sport. It’s about people coming together with a shared vision and the determination to make a difference. The Conservative Party is that team for me—a party that believes in responsibility, opportunity, and getting things done.

We’ve seen Nigel Farage’s protest parties before: first with UKIP, then the Brexit Party, and now Reform UK. It’s the same act with a different name—the Farage Show. For him, Oxfordshire is just another battleground in a national argument. But for me, it’s home. I care about what happens here because I live here. This isn’t about scoring points on TV—it’s about making sure our roads are safe, our schools are properly funded, and our communities thrive.

While others chase soundbites and quick wins, I’ll continue to focus on the real work—listening to residents, tackling local issues, and standing up for the communities I care about. That’s what being a Conservative means to me. That’s why I’m staying right where I am and hope residents will re-elect me to keep representing them.