We will give up our jobs if elected, say Lib Dem candidates

Phil Dunn, standing in Bournemouth West, Jon Nicholas in Bournemouth East and Mike Plummer in Poole have all made a pledge to never hold a second job and are urging the same for other MPs.

Secondary school teacher Mr Dunn said: "Being elected to represent the people of Bournemouth West is the most important job I could ever have, and one that I believe every MP should devote all their energies to.

"Fighting against a hard Brexit, for better education and housing, and protecting the NHS for the people of Bournemouth would be a privilege, and I would never seek to use my position as the local MP for additional financial gain.

"Local people would rightly expect this to be a full-time job. This is what it will be for me."

The trio, who are in Mr Nicholas a conflict management consultant and in Mr Plummer a lecturer in business and management at Bournemouth and Poole College, are seeking to pre-empt a Committee on Standards in Public Life consultation into the guidelines around conflicts of interests for MPs.

This is due to report in June.

They have excluded unpaid and voluntary work, as well as 'public service roles' such as the military from their pledge.

In Bournemouth Mr Dunn and Mr Nicholas have said their party's plans for a legal requirement forcing smaller housing developments to include affordable homes would help tackle the town's housing shortage.

"A Conservative landslide would allow the government to take people for granted, meaning years more soaring rents and failure to build enough affordable housing," said Mr Nicholas.

"A better future is available."

Other candidates in Bournemouth West are Simon Bull (Green), Conor Burns (Con), Jason Halsey (Pirate), David Stokes (Lab).

For Bournemouth East, Tobias Ellwood (Con), David Hughes (UKIP), Alasdair Keddie (Green), Mel Semple (Lab) and Kieron Wilson (Ind).

For Poole, Marty Caine (Collective), Adrian Oliver (Green), Robert Syms (Con) and Katie Taylor (Lab).