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Go to the Conservative MEP'S Website; Clicking Here or visit the links below to read about the Eastern Region Candidates
Geoffry Van Orden
Geoffery's Experience; Geoffrey was first elected MEP for the East of England in 1999. He is Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs, Human Rights and Defence Committee of the European Parliament and Conservative Spokesman on Defence and Security Policy. He is also a Member of the Transport Committee. A former British Army Brigadier with wide international and operational experience, particularly in the field of counter-terrorism, his last military appointment was at NATO Headquarters. I go to Brussels to speak up for British interests and for the people of East Anglia. I did not become an MEP in order to promote the EU. I want us to govern our own country. At the same time, I want to help local businesses and citizens get the best out of the single market and to assist in the creation of the widest possible area of stability and prosperity across Europe", says Geoffrey. He has consistently opposed European political integration, in particular EU meddling in defence, the EU "Constitution", British adoption of the Euro and unnecessary regulation. As the Parliament's spokesman on Bulgaria and as a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee with Turkey, he is actively involved in some of the most difficult issues concerning enlargement of the EU. He has mobilised the EU against the Mugabe tyranny in Zimbabwe and the military junta in Burma and has been heavily involved for over ten years in the campaign to eradicate anti-personnel landmines and assist their victims. Read more about Geoffrey by clicking here;
Robert Sturdy Robert was educated at Ashville College, Harrogate and trained in accountancy. He built up a substantial family farming business, mainly in arable crops, now run by his son Julian who stood as a candidate in the 2005 general election as the Conservative candidate for Scunthorpe. He finds this practical experience invaluable in policy discussion in Parliament. As being an MEP involves so much travelling from home to Brussels when he has time off he enjoys nothing more than helping out around the farm. His passion for agriculture started young when he became County Chairman of the Young Farmers. Active in the NFU, Robert held a number of appointments and chairmanships including Chairman of the regional livestock committee and sugar beet, potatoes and cereals committee and was involved in the WTO Uruguay round negotiations. It was this that led to his growing interest in international trade and the important role that agriculture plays within it. Robert takes a keen interest in animal welfare and the environment and is a member of the RSPB and Vice-President of the Cambridgeshire Beekeepers Association. Robert is treasurer of the Land Use and Food Policy Intergroup. Robert 's Experience Robert got his first taste of politics at school, winning the public speaking trophy. Since then he has been a councillor and was a constituency chairman from 1990-93. Vicky Ford I live in the heart of the East of England. I am a former investment banker and businesswoman turned campaigner and local councillor. I want to get the best possible deal for the people and businesses of Eastern England.
Vicky was born and grew up in Northern Ireland. Her parents were both English doctors. As a child she joined her mother campaigning with the peace movement and her father stood in local elections in an area now dominated by Sinn Fein. She attended primary school in Northern Ireland, but following her father's death she went to secondary school in England and then read Maths and Economics at Trinity College, Cambridge She subsequently worked as an investment banker for 14 years before embarking on a career in politics. Vicky stood as a Conservative Party candidate in the 2005 general election and, until recently, was the finance and resources portfolio holder on South Cambridgeshire District Council. Vicky is married to Hugo, a consultant in cancer medicine at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge and the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds. They have three children Elizabeth (10), Edward (8) and Anthony (6). At school, Vicky was an accomplished musician, playing the clarinet and piano with distinction. She still plays the clarinet and is now enjoying the challenge of learning the saxophone Away from politics, Vicky enjoys fishing, skiing, gardening and spending time with her family and her 2 dogs.
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