My name is Andy Konieczko, and I was recently chosen to be your Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate at the general election expected later this year.

Full statement

I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you.

I was born in Leicester, grew up in Melton Mowbray and have fond memories of my time here. My parents still live in Melton, and I’m a regular visitor to the area.

I’m also a dad of two, a school governor and a mentor for the Prince’s Trust. When I get the time, I enjoy football and travelling.

I believe in putting people first and helping them to fulfil their potential - so that we can all achieve what we want to in life. But too many people aren’t getting the opportunity to do that at the moment. That’s why I’m convinced it’s time for change in Melton and Syston.

I know that getting a GP and dentist appointment in our area is incredibly hard, and waiting times for ambulances are putting lives at risk.

I see first-hand the damage that the Conservatives have done to our education system and the impact that’s having on young people.

And I'm shocked that the government is letting water companies get away with dumping sewage in our precious waterways, while its policy on tackling climate change is going backwards. Labour is also wavering on its promises and not sure what to do.

The list goes on and makes for depressing reading.

To make things worse, many of our politicians refuse to take responsibility for their mistakes. Their arguments often become personal and nasty, and all this behaviour puts people off politics. Unfortunately, this last parliament will be remembered for scandal rather than solutions – and the whole country is paying the price.

Melton and Syston residents deserve better. From the conversations that we’ve been enjoying with residents over the past few months, it’s clear that people have had enough. The next step is for you to use your vote later this year to choose an MP who’ll stand up for you and start putting things right.

Who do you think is best placed to do that? Is it the Conservatives - the party that created the mess we’re all facing? Is it Labour - the party that’s admitted it can’t win in Melton and Syston so is focusing its attention elsewhere in the East Midlands? Or is it time for fresh thinking with the Lib Dems?