Your chance to quiz MP hopeful

The man bidding to become the first MP for the brand-new Frome and East Somerset Constituency will be holding a street surgery in the centre of Frome next week so residents can ask him questions.

Cllr Gavin Heathcote, who already sits as an Independent on Bath and North East Somerset Council, wants the government to do more to support those who are ‘stuck in the middle’ – the middle earners who often lose out.

He said: “Party politics has let us down for far too long! Whilst politicians in the major parties squabble over the next newspaper headline, it’s the hard-working people in towns and villages up and down the country that lose out. Whilst those of us who work hard and pay our taxes struggle to make ends meet, we have a political establishment that has no idea how those of us in the ‘real world’ struggle to put food on the table and ensure the household bills are paid.”

Gavin and his team will be in Frome Town Centre on Saturday, 27th April from 10am to midday. Any residents can pop along to ask him any question. The prospective MP has already laid out his plans for parliament, which include:

■ A fair taxation system – Raise the 40% tax bracket so hardworking people keep more of their own money. Lower the 45% tax rate so more people at the top pay their fair share.

■ Providing more help for small businesses – Ensuring national and local government prioritise support for small independents over large corporations.

■ Tackling housing crisis – Make affordable housing affordable.

■ An NHS that prioritises people’s health – priortise people suffering from one of the top five killers in the UK on waiting lists.

■ Think local to make a global difference – parks and open spaces should be protected in law and a national tree planting initiative needs to be implemented across the country to plant one million more by 2030.