These pages are my personal commentary on local, national and international issues that matter to me. This blog is my view on this complex world that we live in.

These images capture just a part of where I live and represent with the contextual benefit of a map further down, the geographical area that is covers.

I am extremely fortunate to represent Market Harborough West and Foxton in Leicestershire, arguably one of the most beautiful divisions within the County Council.

This part of Leicestershire it highly desirable to live in, it is a picturesque and wonderful blend of rural and suburban, old and new, fabulous flora and fauna, and real, vibrant communities. It has a fantastic, ancient heart, set within some of the most influential landscapes and locations of British history yet it remains, thankfully, a much overlooked secret gem to the rest of the UK.

It matters to me how we manage our legacy, that which has been bequeathed to us. We don’t own it, we are the present tenants for future generations, so the decisions we make today, matter for tomorrow, as is increasingly obvious.

So the feeling that I have is to try to do my bit, for this place we call home. I want to protect and preserve the sense of what we have, whilst providing opportunities for our children to settle here and establish their adult lives.

I oppose therefore the excessive, mindless creep of urbanisation away from where it should be targeted – the urban areas that already have all of the employment opportunities and infrastructure alongside the brownfield sites, in urgent need of regeneration.

Once the character of our small towns and villages are gone, they’re lost forever. Small, incremental changes that are in line with projected growth targets for specific areas are needed as long as what’s approved blends in with what already exists, and does not damage the lives, quality of life or environment of those who already live there.