BERNARD Jenkin has been a Conservative MP since 1992.

He was first elected MP for the rural area of Colchester North, but has held his seat despite boundary changes, including in 2010 when the constituency changed to include Harwich.

Before his election, he worked in industry and commerce for the Ford Motor Company and for venture capital provider 3i PLC before being appointed manager of Legal and General Ventures.

His political interests include foreign affairs and defence, terrorism and security, the constitution, trade, small businesses and the future of the EU.

The 55-year-old is married to Anne and they have two sons.

Why you should vote for me

The big risk in this election is that we get another hung Parliament.

It will be dominated by people with agendas and demands to spend your money on things that you and your family simply cannot afford.

Labour already says it wants to spend and borrow more. This would cause inevitable damage to the economy. Jobs will be at risk. Don’t be misled!

Another hung parliament risks what has been achieved by the Conservatives over the past five years.

I’ve worked hard as your local MP – for better support for the disadvantaged, better healthcare, schools, police, safer roads and so forth. I have worked to attract local jobs.

Most politicians want to deliver broadly the same things. But the difference between the Conservatives and the other political parties in the UK is that we make sure the economy works well first, so the money’s there to help people. The other parties just start spending.

Look at 2007-8, when our banks nearly collapsed. The problem was a global one, but the foolish Labour Government was already spending and borrowing so much, we were very badly prepared. They left the country on the brink of an unimaginable catastrophe.

Compare that to now:

  • The fastest-growing economy of any major economy
  • 27 million people paying less tax
  • The lowest unemployment for six years, and falling
  • The deficit cut by a third and falling.

The Conservatives have delivered on the economy. Can you afford to return to uncertainty and higher taxes?