I am asking you to consider electing me as your MP in the up and coming general election and am seeking your support in challenging a political class that considers itself above that challenge.

Our Parliament must be reformed before instability of every type deepens. Political, economic, social.
It is the single most important challenge facing our country and its achievement or failure will effect all of us for better or worse.

A political Philosopher, David Selbourne, described the unsettling and ominous reality last year : -

'There is no movement, moral or political, and whether of left or right, which is strong enough to purge the British body-politic of its foulness.'

A system of greed threatens to fatally injure our future and overpower Parliament. Hidden behind the expenses crisis is a catastrophe in waiting. Big business has cast its spell over Westminster and many are succumbing to its promise of reward.

The acquiring of personal wealth is becoming an acceptable and pursued objective in Parliament. A warning sign has been issued to our nation. The immediacy and nature of the response are critical. If the political classes are able to fend off reform the stability and safety of our country can no longer be guaranteed.

Last January four Labour Lords agreed to take money in return for changing legislation when approached by journalists posing as businessmen. This was some months before the Daily Telegraph alerted the nation that all was not well in Westminster. There are countless other examples of serving and former MPs and Peers using their position of privilege and responsibility to benefit financially from furthering the interests of the business community either through the influencing of legislation or the awarding of contracts.

You and I are certainly capable of greed. Although we all struggle with it, we must not encourage it in ourselves or others. The reckless form of greed that is infecting Parliament must be removed because the destabilising effects are starting to impact upon our everyday lives.

This issue will not disappear with a new government. That is why the electorate is wary of giving an established party a majority. The lack of trust accelerates our uncertainty.

The welfare of the nation, not the welfare of the parties, must again become the focus of Parliament.
Some evidence suggests that Labour's immigration policy was pursued in secret to win votes and frustrate the Tories. If so, this was a dangerous experiment. The nation cannot be used as a tool in the hands of the political parties. The repercussions may be grave.

I do not pretend to be familiar with all the problems that assail the people of Battersea, Balham and Wandsworth but if I am elected as your MP I will seek to be a spirited and loyal representative. Aside from serving you, I list my concerns and priorities as your legislator in my manifesto.

This is not the time for the people to prove they are trustworthy as is implied by the creation of The Safeguarding Authority. This is the time for our Parliament to prove to the nation that service can and must replace self interest or party interest as the priority of our representatives.

We must not be allowed to weaken further as a nation. In the backdrop of a country losing confidence in its politicians, the BNP sent two members to Brussels and they are fighting to win seats in Parliament in the general election. Such hateful ideologies thrive in unstable times.

Our Parliament must be reformed.