"This is my town, our town and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

I’m lucky enough to be born and bred in Telford. I was made in Telford. I’m a product of this town. This is my town, our town and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

I grew up surrounded by love and watching my family graft to make ends meet. We were always there for one another but we also knew hard times. I was a child that experienced poverty. I vividly remember switching the lights off in our council house and lying on the floor as debt collectors came to our door. My parents knew hard work. My dad served in the armed forces and later as a bus and HGV driver. My mom had two or three jobs to support me and my brothers and sister.

I was the first in my family to go to university supported by my parents, my auntie and my amazing nan – who I lived with from the age of 11. I’m proud of the law degree that I achieved but I’m even more proud and incredibly grateful that my family gave me the wings to fly and championed my journey. 

I’m now a husband and a dad and trying to instil the same values in my own family. Our town is a place where if people work hard they can achieve success. They will also be supported on their journey to thrive and that’s a message I’m keen to share.

I’m still that boy from Telford; Dawley to be precise. I still want to make a difference; not just for me and my family but for all the people and the communities I am so honoured to represent in parliament.

Your ambitions are my ambitions. Whether you were born here or you have chosen Telford as a place to live and work, I will always have your back – just like my own family had, and continue to have, mine.