I want to take a moment to explain to you why I feel so privileged to be the MP for our area.

I've lived here in Bishopstoke for nineteen years. My family and I love living here amongst good friends and neighbours. We're members of our local church and both play an active role in our community.

I've served as an Eastleigh Borough Councillor since 2007 and a Bishopstoke Parish Councillor since 2008.

As part of the local Lib Dem Team that's put together a twenty year record of delivery for people in our area,

I've been active in many campaigns for local people.
These campaigns have included:

• The long running battle to stop the Conservative County Council plan for gravel extraction in our precious local countryside.
• The successful fight to stop the County Council closing local libraries and other vital services.
• The fairer tax campaign – that's cutting income tax bills for 61,000 local workers by £600. The campaign is also calling for a mansion tax on homes worth over £2million.

The team in Eastleigh has also delivered a real terms council tax cut every year for ten years and has protected frontline local services.

It's this experience that I believe makes me well qualified to be our MP.

As your MP, I will always put local people first and work hard every day to get the best deal for our area. I will continue to be a strong voice standing up for our countryside, working to protect the vital green spaces between our towns and villages.

With my business experience, I can help bring new jobs and investment to our area.

I am also working to deliver help to thousands of local people who are struggling in these tough economic times.
The latest Lib Dem income tax cut that comes into force in April will mean 61,000 workers will be paying £600 less in income tax than they were in 2010. The Council Tax freeze has saved households £300.

Now the Liberal Democrats have won the fight to cut taxes for hard working families further still. This means nobody will be paying tax on the first £10,000 that they earn from April 2014. The Liberal Democrats promised to introduce this tax cut for ordinary families at the last election. Now the £700 tax cut has been delivered ahead of schedule.

Welcome though these are, we need to do more. I'll also fight for a mansion tax on homes worth over £2million so that the very wealthy pay their fair share too.

With your support, the local Lib Dem Team and myself will keep on delivering for you here in Eastleigh and in Parliament.

Yours sincerely

Cllr Mike Thornton

Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh

MIKE'S CV

Mike Thornton has a record of delivery and a promise of more as our MP

ADDRESS
25 St Mary's Road, Bishopstoke, Eastleigh, SO50 6BP

OCCCUPATION
Business and Development Manager

FAMILY
Married to Peta who works in a local school. They have a daughter, Philippa, who is training to be a doctor

KEY SKILLS
• Business and financial knowledge
• Caring and capable
• Knows our area and the problems people face every day

VOLUNTARY RECORD
• Works with Bishopstoke carnival
• St Mary's church volunteer
• Former local School Governor

COUNCIL RECORD
• Bishopstoke Parish councillor – 2008
• Eastleigh Borough Councillor – 2007
• Former Chair of Prosperity Panel

CAMPAIGNS FOUGHT ON BEHALF OF LOCAL RESIDENTS
• Opposing Conservative gravel extraction plans
• Fought to save local childrens' centres and youth centres
• Fairer taxes campaign to cut income tax bills

AS OUR LOCAL MP
• Cutting taxes for local families - not millionaires
• Work with local businesses
• Be there to help residents with casework issues all year round

MAKING EVERYONE'S VOICE HEARD
Mike speaks up in Parliament for local people, from those suffering from mental illness, to victims of domestic violence and runaway children

HOBBIES
• Reading
• Squash
• Tennis
• Protect our green spaces