Claire Wright launches her election manifesto

Independent Parliamentary Candidate for East Devon, Claire Wright, launches her campaign manifesto in Exmouth on Tuesday.

Although the launch at Exmouth Rugby Club on Tuesday is not open to the public, selected guests and journalists will get the chance to ask Mrs Wright questions about her policies and agenda should she be elected on May 7.

The manifesto reflects Claire’s extensive knowledge of the area.

At the start of the campaign, her team organised a detailed survey of the issues that exercised local residents and what they wanted from an active MP.

Hundreds completed the survey, and Claire has also had more than a thousand conversations with voters across the constituency.

She has visited many independent traders in Ottery, Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth.

She said: “Local businesses and independent traders, which play such a vital role in the local economy, felt neglected by the big parties and suggested many ideas that would help promote the local economy.”

Additionally she says her experience as a councillor the Ottery Town Council, East Devon District Council and Devon County Council, has given her understanding of the issues. Consequently, she has a very clear appreciation of the problems and anxieties faced by local people.

In her launch speech, Claire Wright will discuss some of these issues and how she feels that, as an independent in Parliament, she can ensure that the region’s problems, currently largely ignored, can receive national consideration. “It is time for someone to listen to the views of the people of East Devon,” she said.

“All I hear is that they are angry at being ignored. As an independent, I would have no party whip to tell me how to vote.

“I would not be influenced by personal ambition to become a minister so I would be able to represent the people of East Devon and campaign on the issues that they tell me are important to them. I would be free to speak and free to act.”