The most important task for all MPs is to fight for their constituents. Local people know how well they can be represented by a Liberal Democrat MP. John Burnett has worked tirelessly for the community. For the past 18 months, I have been his apprentice. I have his enthusiastic backing. I can promise business as usual. I believe politicians should talk less and listen more. I have gone from my home in Sampford Courtenay to visit hospitals, schools, post offices, police stations, farms, small businesses and hundreds of individual residents all over the constituency. Local people feel successive London governments have not understood the needs of sparsely populated rural areas like this. There are too many targets and too much red tape, particularly for our doctors, nurses, teachers and police. They know local priorities far better than pen-pushers 200 miles away. They should be the ones making decisions. There is a great sense of unfairness too, particularly over the council tax. We will abolish it in favour of a local income tax based on ability to pay. The average family would save £450 a year and many pensioners would gain far more. As people get older, their needs tend to increase as their savings dwindle. Pensioners should receive £100 a month more when they reach the age of 75. This would lift thousands out of the complicated Pension Credit system. I want to see more opportunities for the young. The Child Trust Fund is an expensive gimmick. That money would be far better invested in our infant and junior schools. At the other end of the age-range, I have met many students and their families who are appalled at the imposition of tuition and top-up fees. We would abolish them. There is a desperate need here for more affordable housing. Over the past year, I have organised meetings in the constituency about the way forward and have visited several projects. I am determined to make this a top priority. I want to see a far higher priority too placed on protecting the environment, through energy conservation, recycling and appropriate alternative energy schemes. I strongly supported my party?s stance against the Iraq War. I say never again. As a senior TV correspondent for many years, I know Parliament well. I shall not go there with L-plates on. I shall be fighting effectively for local people from day one.