"Like millions of other Londoners, I am simply trying to support my family, play an active role in my community and defend the best interests of our country.

"Unfortunately, the Labour Government and the European Commission seem, increasingly, to want to run my life for me. "

I live with my wife Barbara and my step-daughter Lisa, in East Ham in the London Borough of Newham. I moved to London from the West Midlands in 1995 when Barbara and I got married, having met at the Conservative Party Conference in Bournemouth in 1994.

When I am not out campaigning or working, I like to spend as much time as possible with my family.

Fortunately, given my longstanding political involvement, we are a very political family, Elaine has been putting leaflets through letterboxes since she was in a pushchair, Lisa is a first rate canvasser and fought her first local government campaign in 2006 and Barbara works for the Conservative Women's Organisation.

As you can imagine, with this combination I have very strong backing and support from my family for what I am trying to achieve in my political life.

As far as relaxation is concerned, when the opportunity presents I enjoy reading a wide range of literature with a special emphasis on the period from just after World War One to the end of the Cold War era. A fascinating chapter in world history which has shaped so much of our modern political and social agenda. I also have a very broad taste in music ranging from jazz to the latest releases.

One constant companion for me is the radio - as my family members will attest - I am usually either carrying a portable radio or listening through the PC over the net. I have been an avid listener  of speech radio since the late 1960's and, if I am in broadcast range, I invariably start each day with the Today programme (shouting at John Humphries is a great way to wake up) and end it with the Radio 4 midnight news bulletin.