Over 200 registered electors attended the Open Primary meeting at Trinity Park on 27th November 2009
The six shortlisted candidates were interviwed in turn. Each candidate was first asked to say in 60 seconds why they wanted
to be the MP for our constituency. There followed an interview by Rachel Sloane the questions from the floor and a summing
up by the candidate. At the conclusion of the interviews the meeting voted in a secret ballot eliminating candidates until one obtained over 50%
of the votes cast.
Dan is shown being interviewed by Open Primary moderator Rachel Sloane, a retired senior BBC journalist.
Dan's selection was ratified by the 108 votes from the Constituency Executive Council. 4 members voted against
and one abstained.
Dan is pictured after his selection with Steve Britt, Association Chairman and Sir Michael Lord who is standing down
next June after 27 years service.
Dan tells us about himself:-
I work on the frontline of the NHS as a hospital doctor. I am also the Deputy Leader of Reigate and Banstead Council,
volunteer my medical and fundraising skills to charities such as Help for Heroes, and play rugby and cricket.
I am delighted to be invited to Central Suffolk and North Ipswich because my fiancée Joanna grew up in mid-Suffolk and went
to school in Stowmarket. We stay at Joanna?s parent?s home in Great Finborough, and if selected, I would be living and
working locally by February and devoting my full energies to the constituency.
I believe in working in partnership with local councillors and communities to campaign in support of local businesses during
these difficult economic times. I support maintaining high educational standards in local schools, and developing further
educational opportunities at University College Suffolk, Suffolk New College and Otley College. I understand how to address
the challenges faced by new and developing communities around Kesgrave.
I would campaign to protect the Suffolk countryside from inappropriate development, and fight to support rural shops,
services, pubs, post offices and GP surgeries, and work with the NFU to support Suffolk farmers.
As a doctor, with specialist knowledge of the NHS, and a track record of keeping open frontline hospital services in Surrey,
I shall provide a strong voice in the campaign against Labour cutbacks to vital cardiac and cancer care services at Ipswich
Hospital and in supporting a viable future for community hospital services at Hartismere Hospital.
Look me up at www.drdanielpoulter.com
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