Ian joined the SDP in 1981 and following the merger served the Lib Dems as Branch Treasurer and as campaign team chair. He was elected as Councillor for Borough, Town and Parish councils and served as cabinet lead member for Finance for Charnwood Borough Council.

Ian's Manifesto
In the UK we face the on-going consequences of Brexit, and the Tory party by the most inept and right wing PM we have ever seen. Abroad the rise of populism, most notably Putin’s war on Ukraine, threatens our world. Economically we face the consequences of Putin’s war, on food and fuel supplies, Brexit’s impact on trade, the irresistible rise of China and a pace of technological change which will change the world of employment in ways we can scarcely imagine.

The wonders of modern medicine mean that we are all living longer, an achievement to celebrate but a development with profound implications for our health and social welfare services and for pension provision.
Our housing market is broken, the dream of homeownership is a fantasy for most and affordable accommodation is unobtainable for many families. 
All these issues, and more, demand political leadership of the highest order. Instead we have Rishi Sunak and his cabal of cronies!

A successful democracy requires an effective opposition, a party waiting in the wings with a coherent, credible programme for Government. But Starmer is uncharismatic and leads a Labour which is still packed with Corbynistas. Labour dare not undo Brexit, for fear of the Red Wall and its main policy is to say nothing and let the Tories self destruct. We clearly need a better choice, I am convinced that the Liberal Democrats are the only party with the values and policies to address the issues this country faces. Unlike Labour we
believe in fiscal prudence, the free market economy and personal liberty. Unlike the Tories we value public services and have a clear and coherent policy on Brexit, we will exit from Brexit! Our values and policies allow us to create a clear and distinctive vision for the future of our country.

Too often the media portray us as splitting the difference between the other main parties, it is essential we project a distinctive message of our own. Our message must lead on exiting from Brexit, but must be much more.

• Exit from Brexit.
• We will fund the NHS with 1% on income tax.
• Allow Councils to build new social houses. End the tax advantages for buy to let landlords. Penalise builders who sit on land banks.
• Social services. We need a cross party solution on the funding of Social Services. Our longer lives must be enjoyed with dignity and security,
• The economy of the future. Fund the development of the skills for tomorrow.

I believe my views align well with the beliefs and values of the voters of Loughborough. Our town, which has high technology companies and strong academic institutions, is a liberal constituency, so far it has not been a Liberal Democrat constituency.
I am proud to be standing to be the Lib Dem PPC, delivering our message to Loughborough and a Lib Dem MP to Parliament.