I asked Julia Manning a few questions about her politics and what she can offer Bracknell in his selection of one of the 7 candidates who are standing in the open primary for the new Tory PPC to replace Andrew Mackay MP.Details of the other candidates on the short list can be found here.
1. What can you offer the Bracknell constituency?
I will offer the best years of my life based on: 20 years real life experience in the NHS and business entrepreneur, the knowledge gained as a mum bringing up a family, working with some of the most needy people in our society (the elderly and prisoners suffering from mental illness) and more recently developing policy to influence a fairer and more responsible society.
1. What can you offer the Bracknell constituency?
I will offer the best years of my life based on: 20 years real life experience in the NHS and business entrepreneur, the knowledge gained as a mum bringing up a family, working with some of the most needy people in our society (the elderly and prisoners suffering from mental illness) and more recently developing policy to influence a fairer and more responsible society.
My husband Clive and I have been through negative equity, redundancy, unemployment and been victims of crime so we bring an understanding with us that life can be tough and that getting the right support is essential.
2. Will you be willing to move to the constituency?
Yes we would make our family home here.
3. Are you independent minded and would you question the party policies if you see the need?
I believe both loyalty and integrity are important. On the whole I obviously agree with the Conservative Party's position on most things but I will always ask questions when a course of action doesn't seem right.
4. How do you feel about Andrew Mackay's departure and the second home error he and his wife Julie Kirkbride made?
Everyone I have talked to has spoken warmly of Andrew's service to the constituency and are sad at his departure. It was selfless of him to put David Cameron's bid for Government before his own ambitions. However I think some MPs, from all Parties, forgot whose money it was they were claiming - i.e. our taxes - paid in good faith to be used for the public's good.
5. Do you think that pre-registered open primaries are a good idea?
Yes because they encourage democracy and participation in politics - which runs all our lives.
6. If you could improve anything about Bracknell constituency what would it be?
It would have to be the town centre - it needs to draw people in and be somewhere that enables stronger community ties.
7. What previous experience do you have in politics?
I joined the Tories in 2000, frustrated by the NHS and outraged by Labour's assault on the family. I have stood for the council twice where I live and for Parliament in Bristol in 2005 - all sadly in Labour heartlands!
2. Will you be willing to move to the constituency?
Yes we would make our family home here.
3. Are you independent minded and would you question the party policies if you see the need?
I believe both loyalty and integrity are important. On the whole I obviously agree with the Conservative Party's position on most things but I will always ask questions when a course of action doesn't seem right.
4. How do you feel about Andrew Mackay's departure and the second home error he and his wife Julie Kirkbride made?
Everyone I have talked to has spoken warmly of Andrew's service to the constituency and are sad at his departure. It was selfless of him to put David Cameron's bid for Government before his own ambitions. However I think some MPs, from all Parties, forgot whose money it was they were claiming - i.e. our taxes - paid in good faith to be used for the public's good.
5. Do you think that pre-registered open primaries are a good idea?
Yes because they encourage democracy and participation in politics - which runs all our lives.
6. If you could improve anything about Bracknell constituency what would it be?
It would have to be the town centre - it needs to draw people in and be somewhere that enables stronger community ties.
7. What previous experience do you have in politics?
I joined the Tories in 2000, frustrated by the NHS and outraged by Labour's assault on the family. I have stood for the council twice where I live and for Parliament in Bristol in 2005 - all sadly in Labour heartlands!
However I have been getting involved in Westminster as an amateur for a few years, so I have learned a lot about the role of the MP and policy formation. I am currently finishing a green paper for the Conservative Party on New Health Technologies.
8. You have stood as a PPC in Bristol East why do you think you lost this election and what have you learned from that experience?
As I mentioned it was a Labour seat with a 13,000 majority so it came as no surprise to lose. It was the most character building experience I have ever had, standing up in public for what I believe in: family, community and my country.
8. You have stood as a PPC in Bristol East why do you think you lost this election and what have you learned from that experience?
As I mentioned it was a Labour seat with a 13,000 majority so it came as no surprise to lose. It was the most character building experience I have ever had, standing up in public for what I believe in: family, community and my country.
I learned that life really is too short to waste on trivia and that being a voice for the voiceless and standing up for what is right is the most important investment that I could make with my life.
9. Why do you want to stand for the Conservatives as apposed to any other political party?
I am a Conservative because I believe in personal freedom within a framework of responsibility that is based on a foundation of the rule of law where laws are kept to a minimum! In other words, Government's role is to trust and support people whilst providing them with security - not to control or take over their lives.
10. Do you have any prior connection with the constituency? If not, isn't it fair for voters here to conclude that you are just looking for a safe Tory seat in order to further your ambitions?
My only prior connection is that my Grandfather was President of the Sandhurst admissions board. You are right, I am ambitious - ambitious to serve. Having worked one to one with needy people all my working life and seeing the way our families and culture have been undermined, I am now passionate about being able to fight for a fairer society.
9. Why do you want to stand for the Conservatives as apposed to any other political party?
I am a Conservative because I believe in personal freedom within a framework of responsibility that is based on a foundation of the rule of law where laws are kept to a minimum! In other words, Government's role is to trust and support people whilst providing them with security - not to control or take over their lives.
10. Do you have any prior connection with the constituency? If not, isn't it fair for voters here to conclude that you are just looking for a safe Tory seat in order to further your ambitions?
My only prior connection is that my Grandfather was President of the Sandhurst admissions board. You are right, I am ambitious - ambitious to serve. Having worked one to one with needy people all my working life and seeing the way our families and culture have been undermined, I am now passionate about being able to fight for a fairer society.
The great thing is the choice is yours and you should select the best person for the job, no matter where they live now!
I am activity seeking the opportunity to ask similar questions of all the candidates in the open primary and hope to post them on this blog soon, Q&A was with Iain Dale can be found here, Phillip Lee’s here and Ryan Robson here.
I am activity seeking the opportunity to ask similar questions of all the candidates in the open primary and hope to post them on this blog soon, Q&A was with Iain Dale can be found here, Phillip Lee’s here and Ryan Robson here.
If you would like to reply to any questions asked or answered then please do so in the comments below this blog.
Julia Manning blogs at Centre Right on Conservative home here.
Disclaimer: Bracknell Blog does not supporting any particular conservative's candidacy in the Bracknell Primary Selection.
13,000 now that would be hard to win, could of done with an expenses scandle to knock it down abit.
ReplyDeleteDont understand what this Tory modernist gobbledook really means to the Voter and subsequent taxpayer - "I am currently finishing a green paper for the Conservative Party on New Health Technologies."
ReplyDeleteHowever the response to '9' was spot-on.
"I believe in personal freedom within a framework of responsibility that is based on a foundation of the rule of law where laws are kept to a minimum! In other words, Government's role is to trust and support people whilst providing them with security - not to control or take over their lives."
Still voting UKIP4sure...