Criminal barrister Adrian Amer believes his work would serve him in good stead if elected as Newark’s MP.
The Independent candidate has spent around 40 years working in the legal profession, prosecuting the very worst in society, from sex offenders to serial killers.
He hopes the same attention to detail and personal care shown in the court room will serve him well as he seeks election in Newark.
“In my day job I have to assess very carefully the concerns, thoughts and feeling of the victims I represent,” said Mr Amer
“Dealing with some very complex cases takes a lot of thought, skill, energy, and determination, but also a light touch.
“Those very finely honed skills are something I transfer to my role as a Newark and Sherwood district councillor and will only sharpen even more on a national level should I be elected to parliament.”
Born to working class parents in Hucknall, Adrian spent his formative years labouring on building sites, working in bars and shops, and for a time worked in a factory, before going to law school.
“I feel very grounded by my upbringing,” he said.
“When I was growing up the country was dealing with some very difficult social and economic issues, it was the time of the miners’ strike, but people still had the ability to respect each other — something I think is sorely missed.
“I, like many others, am fed up to the back teeth of the present political situation. Most ordinary people are hurting, and hurting in ways that are not being acknowledged.
“Through my work I have come to realise that there is a lot that needs to be fixed in society, but also that there is a disconnect between the people and the politicians.
“The main political parties have let us down terribly and simply are not fit for purpose. They are two sides of the same coin and whichever way it lands it won’t make a difference.
“They assume they are entitled to be in parliament, and take for granted the people that actually vote for them.
“With me I will be able to answer to no one but the electorate. I don’t have to cow tow to any interest group or be politically whipped.
“We need to restore trust, integrity, honesty and transparency in our leaders.”
Mr Amer said that there needed to be a concerted effort to tackle the cost of living crisis and the knock on effects it has caused, from issues with drugs and alcohol, to a growing mental health crisis and a reliance on food banks to get by.
He said: “I don’t want to see any more distractions as politicians take swipes at each other, or hear the same old catch phrase, ‘fully costed, fully funded’.
“Just tell the people how much things are going to cost, how you’re going to pay for it, and how it will affect them.
“Tell the voters of Newark and allow them to make up their own minds.”
“Let’s get away from all the nastiness and political flip flopping because ordinary people are the ones that pay the price.”
The UK General Election is scheduled to take place on July 4.
The candidates confirmed for the Newark constituency are (listed alphabetically):
• Michael Ackroyd - Green Party
• Saj Ahmad - Labour
• Adrian Amer - Independent
• Matthew Darrington - English Democrats
• Lyn Galbraith - Independent
• Robert Jenrick - Conservative
• Robert Palmer - Reform UK
• Collan Siddique - Workers Party of Britain
• David Watts - Liberal Democrats
