ELECTION 2015: Bognor Regis and Littlehampton - Francis Oppler (Lib Dem)

I have served twice as town mayor of Bognor Regis and am currently leader of the opposition at Arun District Council.

During that time I have help lead many community campaigns and I am passionate about representing and fighting for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.

Like so many local residents I have been dismayed by the actions of Conservative-controlled Arun District Council, ignoring the views of residents on issues such as Bognor Regis regeneration, the Swimming Centre and Windmill Theatre in Littlehampton.

The fact is, Conservatives do not listen to local people.

I am proud of the many great things the Liberal Democrats have done in government, such as raising the personal tax allowance, the pupil premium and the Lib Dem triple lock on pensions which guarantees retired people a decent pension increase every year.

Liberal Democrats have delivered a tax cut of £800 per year for 36,000 people in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton; 5,800 local people now pay no Income Tax whatsoever.

Liberal Democrats have helped deliver 3,840 new local apprenticeships places, delivered a record rise in the state pension for 25,000 local pensioners and invested an extra £6m in our local schools.

This would not have happened without the Lib Dems.

As your MP, I promise that I would be different. I am not a professional politician and would only serve for two terms.

I would not accept the nine per cent pay rise for MPs. If legally I had to accept it, I would donate the difference to local charities.

I would not take on any other jobs.

I would be a full-time MP

I would vote to keep the ban on fox hunting, unlike the current conservative MP who has declared he would vote to scrap the ban.

I would also campaign for a ban on the use of snares and vote against any badger culls.

I am also concerned about the over-development of farmland in the constituency.

I would work closely with the local planning authority and developers to help use brownfield sites for affordable homes.

It is time that the people in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton had a real local resident to fight for them.

After 18 years of the same Conservative MP, I am the truly local alternative.