Ed Goncalves to fight for Rugby (March 10)

Introduction to Ed who is standing for the Liberal Democrats in our area.

Ed Goncalves is a Director of The Climate Group, a leading international environmental organisation. He is also Director at 'Kidney Kids', a charity which helps children affected by kidney disease.

He spent many years working for world-renowned conservation group WWF, is an expert on the world's most endangered big cat (the Iberian Lynx), and his work has featured on numerous documentaries and programmes. Previously, he was an investigative journalist, exposing government cover-ups and politicians' expenses.

He is married to Siobhan, and has twin boys, Joe and Luis, age 11. Luis started a campaign 2 years ago to encourage people to register as organ donors, weeks after receiving a kidney transplant from his father. Luis' campaign has won the support of the Prime Minister and led to him being invited to address MPs at the House of Commons. Luis and Ed are competing in the 2015 National Transplant Games.

Why does he want to represent Rugby & Bulkington?

Rugby Liberal Democrats are working hard for local residents all year round, standing up for local people. By being a strong voice for the town in Parliament, I will fight to get the best deal for our area.

When William Webb Ellis first picked up a football and ran with it, a new sport was born. When the Liberal Democrats pick up the seat of Rugby from the Conservatives in May, there will be new hope for the area's future.

Rugby was badly affected during the manufacturing downturn, yet it retains unparalleled expertise and potential in areas such as technology and engineering. It also enjoys a privileged location, possessing excellent motorway and rail links, and is now one of the West Midlands' fastest-growing towns.

However, Rugby urgently needs a local champion who will help promote the town as a national and international business hub; someone who will ensure that the town's growth is matched by new local services, in particular schools, health clinics and local transport links; someone who will ensure that the area's potential is translated into opportunity and prosperity for everyone, not just a few.

Rugby is one of Britain's most historic towns. On May 7, the Liberal Democrats can make history by winning here. In so doing, we can take the record of hard work of the local Liberal Democrat team in places such as Rokeby & Overslade, Eastlands and Paddox to our national Parliament, and help build a brighter future for all local residents.

See - http://rugby.lib.dm/a8RFK .

Richard Dickson has been chosen to fight for the constituency which includes the southern parts of Rugby Borough Council including Dunchurch, Stretton and Ryton - see http://rugby.lib.dm/a9Rfp .