David Tredinnick who is standing for the Conservatives
Four candidates are attempting to be Bosworth MP as the country
I am a former soldier and have served since 1987 as the Member of Parliament for the communities of the many towns and villages of the large Bosworth Constituency.
If re-elected on Thursday 8th June, I will back the Prime Minister in every way to help her deliver Brexit, for which local people voted resoundingly.
I will continue to fight for fairer education funding for Leicestershire, and work to ensure that schools within our area, both primary and secondary, don’t lose out.
I will support local businesses in delivering a strong and dynamic economy which produces jobs and prosperity for local people.
I will encourage better integration and fairness in health and social care, as well as working with the Police and local authorities to tackle issues of concern such as antisocial behaviour and unauthorised traveller sites.
As ever, I will lead my strong support team at Westminster and the constituency to ensure that all constituents’ issues and problems are dealt with quickly and effectively.
How would you describe yourself in five words?
Conscientious, caring, determined, helpful and experienced.
What got you into politics and who influenced you?
My motivation for becom- ing involved in politics was to help change the country for the better. There are the big issues which affect us all, but also small issues which have an enormous impact on individual peoples’ lives. My influences were great leaders like Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan.
Do you have a secret talent or something you are rather good at?
I believe that I am farsighted and have an ability to see tasks through, regardless of the challenges which may stand in the way.
Do you cook and what is your favourite dish?
I am not much of a cook but like lamb chops. When Parliament sits late I tend to eat in the canteen between votes. In Hinckley I’m likely to get fish and chips between an afternoon surgery and evening meeting.
What can you offer Hinckley for the next five years, if elected?
I will continue to provide a high level of service to constituents as I am proud to have done for many years, by giving advice, dealing with casework quickly and effectively, and by using my long experience in Parliament, to help improve the lives of people locally.
A primary school in Desford has just announced job cuts due to a “chronic” lack of funding which many schools in the area face. What needs to be done about it?
Under a flawed formula meant to tackle deprivation, Leicestershire has historically been bottom of the education funding league. Over many years I have worked closely with the body which campaigns for fairness in education funding, the F40 Group, and its chairman Ivan Ould. Under the longstanding flawed formula, Leicestershire has been badly disadvantaged but we have made progress over the last seven years with extra money for local schools and I trust that we will continue to work towards a much fairer system.
Brexit, good or bad news for Hinckley?
Brexit will be good news for Hinckley and Bosworth. There will be huge challenges in exiting the European Union, but the opportunities for the UK in the long run will far outweigh these. The majority of local people voted for Brexit and it is our job as politicians to deliver the will of the people.
Hinckley’s Mount Road hospital - to close or not to close?
I have consistently said that we need modern, accessible health services for people locally which meet the changing patients’ demands in the 21st century. NHS clinicians believe Mount Road Hospital is outdated and it seems that the cost of upgrading the facilities would be greater than providing up-todate facilities elsewhere, so my belief is that patient care is best served by looking at providing services elsewhere in the town.
I will always fight for improved healthcare provision for local people, which is why during the last two Parliaments I was the only MP I know who regularly attended meetings of their local Health & Wellbeing Board.
How would you solve Hinckley’s traffic problems?
A number of the recently elected County Councillors for the area said they would make local traffic problems a priority issue and I will assist them in any way I can but they need to be a strong voice in ensuring that county council are directed at solving the difficulties faced in and around Hinckley and Burbage.
What is your idea of a perfect night in or out?
I always enjoy a meal out with my partner, although I do like attending concerts when there is a band playing that I like.
I have seen the Rolling Stones many times over the years.