James Cleverly
I come to politics with a wide range of life experience.
As part of Boris Johnson's core team I have a strong grounding in government, but being a husband and a father helps me to understand the pressure many families are under. As chairman of the London Fire Authority I've led the reform of half a billion pound a year public service but my charity work and twenty years in business remind me of how small organisations struggle with red tape, bureaucracy and excessive tax levels.
My family is very important to me and they provide a huge amount of support, my wife stood for council and has campaigned alongside me in every election I have been involved in.
I have successfully lobbied both the Mayor and central government on behalf of local residents and businesses, securing funding for high street improvement schemes, additional bus and rail services, and a better balance between housing development and protecting local environment.
I will continue the campaign for better and safer roads, including the duelling of the A120. I will also lobby the Department of Transport to improve rail services to Braintree and keep the pressure on telecoms companies to roll out fast digital infrastructure in North Essex.
I am a member of the reserve forces and have been a Royal Artillery officer for over twenty years. I am a youth rugby coach, I cycle regularly, run occasionally, have completed the London Marathon and a number of sprint distance triathlons.
