North West Norfolk’s MP has been “sleeping on the job” for the past four years, according to the Labour candidate hoping to oust him.
Since being selected as the Labour Party candidate for the general election in the constituency, Tim Leaver has been out and about across the area speaking to residents.
Despite living and working in London, he says he knows West Norfolk “really well”. His partner is from Lynn, and grew up in Hunstanton.
Interestingly, a campaign video on Facebook sees him make reference to Liz Truss - who is standing in South West Norfolk - and not James Wild, the North West Norfolk Conservative candidate.
However, speaking to the Lynn News, Mr Leaver has made his thoughts clear on how Mr Wild has performed since being elected in 2019.
“It really does feel like he's been sleeping on the job,” he says.
“I think the idea that we've had a local Tory MP unable to make the arguments with Tory cabinet ministers and ultimately the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary - it speaks for itself.”
Mr Leaver, a father-of-three and business owner, believes Mr Wild should have done more to hold Anglian Water to account over sewage discharge, tackle flooding in the area, and fight against plans for an incinerator in Wisbech.
“We need to speak up for North West Norfolk, and there's three massive issues that come to the heart of the quality of life living in this constituency,” he adds.
“I think residents will rightly be disappointed with his performance over the last few years.”
Mr Leaver owns a company specialising in running clinical trials in infectious diseases. He is also a councillor in London, serving as the cabinet member for finance on Enfield Council.
He believes the Labour Party has become much more “electable” under Keir Starmer’s leadership, and stresses that a Labour MP working for his government would “make the difference” for North West Norfolk.
But why him, and why now? Why should voters tick Mr Leaver’s box on July 4?
“The idea that the local MP is not talking to the business community, is not enabling that and not being a voice, that's a concern,” he says.
“I think I would bring that. I would want to be accountable. I would want to ensure that I'm talking with not just residents, but the people who actually are driving the economy, who are providing the jobs.
“I also think the thing that's lacking is MP surgeries. For me, my commitment is I will be accessible. There will be surgeries, not just here in Lynn.
“We need to make sure that we've got a huge and diverse constituency. I'd be looking at looking to turn to Burnham, to Heacham, over to Castle Acre -just being accessible, ensuring residents can actually have access to the people who should be speaking on their behalf.”
As well as Mr Wild, Mr Leaver is also up against Liberal Democrat Rob Colwell, Reform UK’s Phil Walton and the Green Party’s Michael de Whalley at next week’s general election.
Like many of them, Mr Leaver says he has come across a lot of people who want “change” in the constituency.
He describes the area as “independent and progressive”, citing the fact that the Conservatives lost control of West Norfolk Council in 2023.
It is his first time running to become an MP, having served as an agent at elections four times previously.
Many candidates have stressed their desire for a local person to be elected - so does he think he qualifies?
“I know and love the area,” he says.
“I know the issues that that we face with the poor quality beaches at Hunstanton and Snettisham. I know the issues we've got in terms of flooding, because you can't get across the constituency and we can't get across the area to visit friends.
“I've got a lot of friends in the area. I know it very well, so it doesn't cause me a concern. I think it's important what you do as well as where you come from.
“I think it's about having an MP who will speak up for local people, not an MP in Westminster - an MP on behalf of North West Norfolk speaking up for North West Norfolk in Westminster. That's the way I see it.”
Some polls have suggested that the Conservatives are facing a total wipeout in Norfolk at next month’s election, with no MPs elected to Westminster for the first time in the party’s history.
With that in mind, Mr Leaver says he has already spoken to Wes Streeting, the shadow Health Secretary, about Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital being rebuilt.
When the Lynn News spoke to Mr Leaver, the Labour Party had just committed to seeing that project through.
Mr Leaver says the hospital rebuild is “the most important thing bar none” in the area.
As well as the environment and healthcare, he also says he wants to tackle problems with dentistry in the constituency.
He is also backing plans to cap the bonuses which water company directors are paid.
Meanwhile, he wants to see more affordable homes built in Lynn, describing the Tories’ housing policy as “appalling”.
Mr Leaver also backs the Labour Party’s pledge to introduce a 20% tax on private school fees, which would affect schools such as the Glebe House School and Nursery in Hunstanton.
He believes this will being “enormous benefit” to schools and the education system as a whole.
“I don't think there's such a thing as a safe seat,” Mr Leaver says.
“I think that everything's in play. I think people want change, and I actually think that there's considerations of what it means for them.
“You said ‘why now?’ - I think people are aching for an end to the chaos and they actually want to see some change that actually makes a difference to the things that are important for them and their families.”
Mr Leaver appeared at a hustings event in South Lynn last week, and says he will continue to visit people’s doorsteps every day until the election next Thursday.
He says one of his major aims is to assure people that Labour can be “trusted”.
“I can understand why people are apathetic after 14 years of Tory chaos,” he adds.
“I know that the taxes are at the highest they've ever been, but I think there is optimism.
“I think there's hope and I think people understand that this is a time for change - and that Labour will bring that change for people.”