I've got the energy, commitment and expertise to give our region a powerful voice in Brussels on agriculture, fisheries, regional development and renewable energy.

Our region, our country

I am honoured to have the chance to represent you in Brussels. I have lived in Gloucestershire for 15 years. In the South West, we must make our voice heard on the EU policies that affect us.

The Lisbon Treaty represents the biggest threat yet to our sovereignty and will turn the EU into a superstate. We must fight for the referendum we were promised.

I have visited every county in the region and I have listened to people's views on the key issues. I have established relationships with MPs, councillors, farmers and those working on regeneration and rural development. I will work hard as your MEP and promise to be accessible to people throughout the entire region.

My work for the Party (campaigning, managing a Shadow Cabinet project and advising Andrew Mitchell MP) and my professional background (corporate lawyer in London/Brussels, international development consultant and charity work) will equip me to stand up for British interests.

My Political priorities

• The EU should focus more on trade and cooperation, not political integration.
• We must adopt a common sense approach to EU regulation which puts Britain first.
• The Common Fisheries Policy has been a total disaster and must be completely overhauled.I used my time as an intern with Neil Parish MEP to research this crucial area.
• Farmers are crippled by EU over-regulation and DEFRA gold-plating.
• We must push for greater and deeper reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.
• Foreign Affairs & Defence must be solely determined by the UK.The stakes are too high.
Immigration must be controlled to maintain good public services and social cohesion.
• We must cut red tape to free up businesses, opt out of the Social Chapter and keep the pound.
• We must fight to save our rebate.
• There has to be a balanced approach to renewable energy and areas of outstanding natural beauty must be preserved.
• We must improve regional transport links, provide affordable housing and ensure that urban and rural development is locally driven.

To find out more about me, what I believe in and the work I do please go to my website

zehrazaidi.org.uk/