Priti Patel, appointed the country’s first UK India Diaspora Champion soon after she was first elected as the Conservative Party Member of Parliament for Witham, Essex, in 2010, has hit the campaign trail covering a range of activities.
Highlighting the great amount that has been achieved for her constituency in that period, the frontline British Indian Tory candidate says she plans to continue her work as she seeks re-election in the July 4 General Election.
She said: “A great amount has been achieved over those 14 years and during this campaign I look forward to speaking to voters about my record of delivery both locally and nationally.
“I will continue to be a strong local voice for everyone in the Witham constituency.”
Patel, 52, has been championing several local issue including the National Grid’s consultation on plans to impose around 100 miles of new overhead power lines and more than 500 large steel framed pylons in East Anglia between Norwich and Tilbury, including parts of Essex.
She has called on concerned constituents to register their views before the consultation ends on June 18: “While we all want to see greater energy security and welcome the expansion of offshore wind generation, the lack of clear long-term and holistic planning combined with secretive contracts agreed between the National Grid and developers means we now face the consequences of these proposals for new pylons.”
Besides lobbying on tax and education issues, the senior Tory also opened a new Indian restaurant in her neighbourhood recently.
“The new establishment, Maria’s Indian Dining, is offering the most exquisite and finest Indian cuisine to local customers in the area and I would encourage all residents to visit this new restaurant,” she said.
The grassroots campaigner prides herself as a longstanding Conservative Party activist and volunteer over a 30-year period. Between 2019 and 2022, she held the Cabinet position of Secretary of State to the Home Department and oversaw reform of the immigration system with the points-based system, EU Settlement Scheme, BNO Hong Kong scheme, Ukraine family and sponsorship visa schemes, alongside action to tackle illegal migration.
The British Gujarati parliamentarian holds a strong majority of over 24,000 in her constituency and will hoping to win a record term in office.
*Info: Priti Patel
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