I was born in 1962 in Matson, Gloucester.

I attended Saint Peter's Junior School and Sir Thomas Rich’s School in Longlevens, Gloucester.

At 16, I joined the Merchant Navy as a Marine Engineer Cadet and – at a young age – I had the chance to sail around the world!

But I didn’t like being away from home so...

At 19, I joined the Gloucestershire Police, serving mostly in Cheltenham and Winchcombe. I was a member of the Underwater Search Unit, but mostly I spent my time on the beat as a uniform patrol officer. I enjoyed myself as a police officer because I like the idea of fighting crime!

Unfortunately, due to a bad leg injury after a motorcycle accident, I had to leave the police at the age of 30.

I became a carer for people with learning disabilities, working both with the social services and with the NHS as a “Community support officer”.

At the age of 37, I started a training business called Corporate Coach Group. I teach people leadership and management skills, communication, conflict management, time management, and inspiration and motivation.

I am married to Lindsey for 20 years. I have four grown-up children and three grandchildren.

In my spare time, I lift heavy weights as I have done since I was 16, so I’ve been weight lifting for 46 years!

I am joining politics because I believe that politicians have betrayed us they deserve to be replaced by “proper people.”

By “proper people”, I mean people like you and me; people who are trying to run a business, raise a family, pay their bills at the end of the month when they don’t have access to unlimited resources.

We are people who want to work hard for ourselves, our family and community.

We want to get-on in life without the government getting in the way and making life harder.

Governments should make life easier for people, not harder.

And yet, modern politicians do NOT work for us; they work against us.

And that’s why we need to replace them with people like you and me.

That is why I am standing as your representative in Gloucester.

I am the only candidate that is Gloucester born and bred.

If you vote for me, I will represent your best interests in the House of Commons.

Thank you.

Chris Farmer