Rana Das-Gupta on why he is standing

I am standing to be MP for Rugby for the Liberal Democrats. I have been a member of the party since 2015, I was brought up in London but have worked as an NHS Consultant Surgeon for the last 15 years in Warwickshire including at St Cross Hospital, Rugby. I am not a career politician but am a person who people have trusted with their lives for many years.

I was brought to the UK as a baby and as an immigrant, my father a surgeon in Myanmar (former Burma) escaped a military Coup d'état, to set up as a GP in Hackney, in London. I then qualified as a doctor and have enjoyed a fruitful career spanning over 35 years within the NHS. I have also lived, worked and trained in various EU countries including Norway and Denmark.

I am a Liberal Democrat because I believe it is best for the UK and the best for Rugby and Bulkington. The best end to the Brexit farce is the best deal in town; to remain with is economic benefits and implications for peace in our time. Russia, China and America would love to see a weakened Europe, which strengthens their economic and military influence, to remain and to lead Europe is our best chance of a bright future.

It is often argued that we are ignoring a referendum, we live in a parliamentary democracy, not a referendum democracy, where complex decisions are made by our paid servants (also known as MP's). In societies where decisions are made by referenda (such as in Switzerland), a full document covering all of the issues is published, like a manifesto about that subject before a vote. No such balanced information was available. We therefore supported a second referendum, unless an election was called first, in which case our manifesto would clearly state that we want to remain, and the population can vote democratically aware of that decision.

I also support the Liberal democrats because they have produced a manifesto supporting the NHS, education, the Environment, policing, the military and business in an accurately costed way. We do not believe the Tory promises and we believe Labour will bankrupt the country in their attempt to improve society. We represent sensible, calculated, achievable politics that will be better for most people most of the time. A vote for the Liberal Democrats is the way to secure a safe prosperous future.

Vote for the Liberal Democrats in the 2019 elections if you want a richer, fairer, safer, United Kingdom of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, stronger together leading a stronger safer Europe.

Dr Rana Das-Gupta

Liberal Democrat PPC

Rugby and Bulkington