In the run-up to the General Election on December 12, we are giving all the candidates in the two Oxford constituencies to opportunity to tell you, the electorate, why you should vote for them

Phil Taylor, Independent candidate for Oxford East

I am an IT professional and Entrepreneur. I am a deep thinker. I have always had a keen interest in politics and current affairs. I’m not left wing or right wing. I believe in common sense above any ideology. I started my first business at the age of 14 whilst in school.

I have been employed too and lived pay cheque to pay cheque. I’ve had that unexpected higher than usual energy bill that sets off a spiral into debt.

I have suffered with insomnia, anxiety and depression for almost my entire life.

I have struggled with and beaten addiction and lost my father this time last year to alcoholism.

Now I have a successful IT Consultancy Company. My life has been a journey that has driven me to this very point.

Too many of us spend most of our time working essentially just so we can exist! There are generations of young people who are finding it so difficult to get on the property ladder and renting is even more expensive.

We have a generation of young people who are suffering from what is being dubbed “Failure to Launch”. We are about to face the biggest and most significant event in human history the world has ever seen. I feel it is hardly being addressed.

This and so much more is why I am standing in this election.

If I am elected, I will roll out my Direct Democracy App which will provide constituents direct access to me, providing complete transparency as well as a closer look behind the scenes (as much as legally possible).

Also, constituents will literally be able to vote on key local issues as well as my votes in Parliament. I want to genuinely bring democracy back to the people and restore people’s faith in politics.

I will also get straight to work on my local network infrastructure. I guarantee this will make improvements to public services and introduce new initiatives through cooperation, coordination and agreements with people.

This will help people with housing and adult education, certification and so much more.

I am not only promising to make an improvement to local public services within two years of being elected, but also vowing to never lie, always give straight answers to questions. Explain any unpopular decisions to my constituents and consult them as much as possible.

I also really want to help young people and adults find their passion.

I want to help people with that deposit on their first house. I want to provide extra support for low income families. I want to provide extra support to new and small businesses.

All of this and more can be achieved via my proposed local network infrastructure.

Which will also provide investment opportunities for people who are currently getting zero reward for saving.

I would love to see the return of the building society for example and more sense of community in general especially as we move ever closer towards a digital future.