I am Heidi Cornish born and raised in my childhood in London, then lived for a while in Berlin, Germany and finally returned to my homeland UK to make a home for me and my son. I had left Germany at a time where there was growing political unrest of the rising right wing /neo-Nazi movements shortly after the German re-unification after the Berlin Wall had fallen (I had the privilege to stand on the wall and experience the elation of UNITY on that night ! ).

I could not continue to be exposed to hatred and division and chose to live in safety of the kindness, fairness and acceptance of the British, for which Britain used to befamous for abroad. Now I know that we also have had our own problems in some communities, especially in Citieswith diverse communities, but more than often Muslims,Jews, Christians, black, brown and white people found more grounds of embracing the diversity than hating each other. Why does that have to change?

I chose to live at first in Chelmsford, moved for a short time to Tiptree, but finally found my happy home and wonderful community and friends on the beautiful island of Mersea on which I reside now for over 20 years.

I quickly found myself engaged in various charity projects and associations (The Lions or Mersea carnival to mention a few..), met and supported people of all walks of life, whether in the village or waterfront of West Mersea, made friends who are residents of East Mersea, Fingringhoe, Abberton, Peldon… so I am no stranger to our Mersea and Pyefleetareas. I am no career politician, just passionate of standing up and raise voice for those who need to be heard.

I cannot stand silently in the back and watch history repeating itself, with people just ‘protest voting’ a party that does not address the problems that people are dealing with on a daily basis! I have experienced first hand what aggressive rhetoric can do to normally peaceful people.

Having built up my successful little business as a medical massage therapist in the last 13 years, keeps me busy, but also flexible. I am hard working and want to help the rural Communities get heard of the real problems that affect our daily lives ( to mention a few):

*Potholes, costing the ordinary person so much in repairs!Elderly people are choosing to live isolated, as not feeling safe to get out in mobility scooters or other mobility help, as pavements too slanted/uneven-forcing them onto roads that are too dangerous due to traffic and/or potholes too. THIS needs to be addressed now!

*Unreliable bus services need to be addressed sensibly.Timetables and costs need to be re-assessed. People who have to get to work/ school or hospital appointments need a reliable bus service. Parking in town is getting more and more difficult as well as expensive- a sensible regular bus service could help lift the burden.

*We need to combat climate change. I have seen how Germany has found so many ways to change their country to be far more eco-friendly for YEARS…we can do this too! Erosion of beaches, air pollution in built up areas , recycling of plastic bottles, protect green spaces as much as we can, help make energy supply as green, affordable and sustainable as possible

I have a much longer list …but I can only start at one thing at a time..

I cannot stand silently in the back and watch history repeating itself, with people just ‘protest voting’ a party that could cause a lot of harm and do not address the problems that people are dealing with on a daily basis! I have experienced first hand what aggressive rhetoric can do to normally peaceful people. I cannot and will not PROMISE to achieve our specific rural problems on my own- but I will genuinely give a good fight to help connect the people’s voice to address what is important to YOU! Let us work TOGETHER for a hopeful, safe and inclusive future for ALL!