JAMES Heappey is running for re-election after serving as the Member of Parliament for Wells since 2015.

The Conservative candidate was formerly a soldier serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland, and lives with his family near Axbridge.

Mr Heappey has focussed his work in Parliament on improving our digital connectivity as well as campaigning against unfair funding formulas which were disadvantaging our schools.

He has worked closely with King Alfred School to help secure Government funding for building improvements and has supported the school through its move to become part of the Priory Learning Trust.

Since 2015, more than 20,000 additional premises have been connected to superfast broadband and/or now enjoy 4G mobile telephone signals. He has also secured record funding for our local schools and the implementation of a national school funding formula. Mr Heappey has won investment in new cancer facilities and MRI scanners at our local hospitals and funding for completely new hospitals in Bath and Taunton.

Mr Heappey has chaired the leading cross-party group that promotes renewable and sustainable energy and, as such, has successfully led calls in Parliament for the introduction of legislation for Net Zero.

If re-elected, Mr Heappey said his priorities will be the universal delivery of superfast digital connectivity, local road and rail improvements, filling vacancies in our local NHS and fighting for more cash for our colleges.