David Drew - Labour (From Stroud News and Journal)

David Drew - Labour

Labour's David Drew has enjoyed a second term in office, and is confident about making it a hat trick. His passion for the area gives him such verbal momentum that it is difficult to get a word in edgeways. He has a habit of interrupting himself mid-sentence and going off on a new tangent.

Born in Gloucester and married with four children. He was elected MP for Stroud in 1997 when he beat the long-standing Conservative MP Roger Knapman, now an MEP and leader of UKIP.

Even David's political rivals acknowledge that he is extremely hard-working. During the ten years he served the people of Stroud as a town, district and county councillor, he has carried out over 12,000 pieces of casework for individuals and groups.

"I have been involved in politics since I was about 15. I joined the Labour party when I was 17. I wanted to change the world and I am still trying," he said.

"This job is ten times more frustrating than when I was a councillor because of the bureaucracy you endure but when you do have your success and people say thank you and you see an improvement in the community it's worthwhile.

"But nothing happens quickly. People have their own opinions on how things should be done and also there's the problem of resources but I have always been of the opinion that if people want something we should help them."

His main election issues are the regeneration of market towns, investment in the public transport system, the eradication of poverty and the restoration of the canal.

"The restoration of the canal is the single most important feature for Stroud as much as it will provide a real reason to come to Stroud," he says.

"If we can get at least part of the canal open then it will make Stroud a real boom town for tourism."

"We have to look back to our past and recognise that what could go on as a result of the restoration really does give Stroud a lot of options."

He believes that one of the most important benefits of the canal restoration is that it would generate jobs in Stroud. "Too many people still travel out to London to work, which is not sustainable environmentally or economically."

He says he got into politics because he wanted to eradicate poverty, and has introduced a bill into parliament under the ten minute rule calling for a national anti-poverty strategy. A committed Christian, he has a close relationship with Church Action on Poverty, a registered charity dedicated to improving the standard on living for Britain's poorest people.

David demonstrated a long-standing commitment to working for and with the community. Prior to becoming a councillor, he was involved in the unsuccessful 15-year fight to save Standish hospital, and the successful campaign to oppose the closure of Stroud Maternity Hospital. More recently he has been working with The Door, a youth project. After the last general election, during which just 39 percent of 18-24-year-olds exercised their right to vote, he sees young peoples disaffection with politics as an issue to be tackled head on.

"The interesting thing with young people is that they are concerned about as the same issues the older people," he adds, "but with a more immediate focus."

David is vice-chair of the Commons Environment and the Food and Rural Affairs select committee. He is also an officer for all party-groups on Charities and the Voluntary Sector, Poverty, Housing and Future Planning, Asthma, Nuclear and Health and a long-standing member of the Co-operative party, which he has represented at Westminster. In his spare time he likes to walk, cycle and watch Forest Green.

But he says: "I don't have much spare time."