I am absolutely delighted I am the new Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Mid Sussex and I will be campaigning on getting Brexit done and for better funding for our police, schools and other public services like the NHS.
I am coming home and I am so proud to have been selected. I bring knowledge of this wonderful area, Government and Ministerial experience and a huge affection for the Association who gave me my start in politics. I am looking forward to working with fantastic local Conservative Councillors and a brilliant team of activists who really care about the community. My campaign launched in Burgess Hill on Saturday 16th November where we had a street stall. Lovely to chat to local people. Much more to come - see you on the doorsteps!
I left Parliament at the end of the 2017-2019 session thinking I would never have the chance be an MP again. However, I was asked to consider standing as a local candidate here, and interviewed in public in front of over 200 local party along with two other excellent finalist candidates, to succeed titan of politics the Rt Hon Sir Nicholas Soames.
I have now been formally nominated following the Saturday night selection meeting where I won on merit. I have been overwhelmed at the real kindness and understanding shown to me by people both privately and publicly. The feedback from across the community has been lovely.
Selection as the new candidate here for my home seat has immediately ended my major problem of being pulled three ways after becoming a single parent and not being able to put my daughters’ interests first alongside my commitment to public life. They go to school locally and the impact on them of continuing in Hampshire long term had to be resolved. I thank my Party for their understanding.
It was the only reason I left the Eastleigh seat, which I had personally turned to a significant 14,000 majority in the space of 4 years. I also believed that I wanted to allow Eastleigh to select a new candidate who was able to fully build on what I had achieved and was extremely proud of. I had a great local team and I had a huge amount of support.
I left Eastleigh not knowing what job I would have in the future and I certainly left it not thinking I would be selected for Mid Sussex, or any other seat for that matter. I had in fact already applied for new jobs in the charity and youth sector.
Despite some disappointing media reports which were, somewhat less understanding than the previous week's coverage, it’s a complete nonsense that I have abandoned anything or run to another constituency.
I am now truly looking forward to fighting to be the new Conservative MP where my daughters and I live, where I have the support of wider family and many friends plus where I was a well known local councillor.
If you want to get in contact on this or any other matter - email: backingmims4midsussex@gmail.com
Promoted by Claire Fussell on behalf of Mims Davies, both of Mid Sussex Conservative Association, both at 5 Hazelgrove Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 3PH