Catherine Read

A New MP for Melksham & Devizes is possible.

I am standing to be your new MP because residents of Melksham and Devizes area deserve so much better. For too long we have had an MP that only works on behalf of Westminster and not local people in Wiltshire.

I have lived in Wiltshire for over thirty years and worked in the front line of the NHS as a clinical radiographer providing specialist scans for trauma, diseases and cancer. It is here that I have seen first-hand how the cuts and lack of investment into the NHS have been devastating to patients and staff. Longer waiting times and lack of staff are leading to anxiety, stress and burnout. It doesn’t have to be this way. This Conservative Government made a political choice to underfund the NHS - a choice that I oppose.

In Wiltshire, we can see how the Government's failure to invest in pubic services, local councils and the environment have resulted in difficulties getting a GP appointment or a dentist, poor maintenance of roads with many potholes and sewage in our rivers. This cannot go on. I would campaign for more investment to deliver these services for the people of Wiltshire and protect our environment.

Many residents I speak to are concerned about house building because it's either taking away fields for food production or it's just not affordable and so people cannot get on the housing ladder. I think we can have enough homes if we build the right homes in the right place at the right price.

My top priorities are to support affordable, warm and safe homes, to strengthen public services, and to protect our unique rural environment.