My name is Jacob Allen, and I am standing to be your new County Councillor on May 7th.

Full statement

We’re very fortunate in our rural part of Norfolk, surrounded by beautiful countryside, and our agricultural communities have been a constant in this great county. But we have seen a rapid increase in developments on our green belt land, from mass housing estates built on flood plains, to the ever-expanding threat of net zero. We have seen our precious farmland littered with solar panels over recent years, thanks to the ludicrous net zero policies of the last Conservative government, and the current madness from Mad Ed Miliband. I will ensure that any future solar farms are challenged at every opportunity.

We have also seen our businesses crushed under the pressures of the highest tax burden in decades. Many people have had to close the businesses they had worked so hard to build, and have been forced to seek other employment as a result. As a business owner myself, I now know first-hand how challenging this can be.

In our area, we see the impact of poor management throughout the year. A prime example is the flooding at Dambrigg. There have been no solutions from the Council, just diversions until it is cleared. This, as a result, delays drivers who are then forced to drive down narrow back roads in the dark, wet conditions. Why are they not looking to prevent flooding on this scale?

For too long, Norfolk County Council has failed to put us residents first. We have busy roads closed for days on end, yet have countless potholes. We have a housing crisis, yet are able to house those who cross the Channel. We have a vast number of schools that are being turned into academies because Norfolk County Council, under the Conservatives, has failed to meet the standards required in recent times.

If elected, I will champion small businesses, work to offer solutions to our local communities, and ensure that our part of Norfolk is united in strength and stability, using common sense and not chaos and confusion.

I hope I can count on your support as you cast your postal vote. This is our last chance to get Norfolk back on track. We must not let ourselves get left behind in these uncertain times.

Your local Council is always broken. Only Reform will fix it.