"You came to my house whilst canvassing and I was impressed with your attitude to politics, parliament and Gaza"
Joan
Wells

About

I am an independent councillor on Shepton Mallet Town Council and we have intentionally removed destructive and polarising party politics. We now have created an environment where we respectfully debate and reach decisions.

When I look at Parliament, I see the political parties constantly at war and they do not achieve anything. If elected, I would be the first elected female independent MP in history. Pretty exciting news that we would all be a part of!

I would use this platform to unite our divided Parliament so we can treat each other with respect, value diverse points of view and reach decisions that best serve our nation as a whole.

Independent - Abi McGuire

Employment

Skills

My history

In October 2023, I left my job at the University of Bath as a Dignity and Respect Investigator to door-knock and campaign full-time. At 42 years old, I have been a police officer and worked in the NHS, social services, housing, homelessness, and education. I possess firsthand knowledge of the challenges these services currently encounter.

I am confident and resilient, unafraid to address and tackle issues head-on. Additionally, my empathetic nature and people-centered approach enable me to listen and provide thoughtful responses. At the core of my platform as a parliamentary candidate are several key values that I hold dear. These include championing equality, prioritising mental well-being, promoting waste reduction and the environment, ensuring accountable spending, fostering a sense of community and striving for improved housing conditions.

With my experience and determination, I am fully equipped to address these critical issues and I see a path forward outside of the political parties.

My family

This is me, with my husband Peter, our daughters Tuathla (14) and Caoimhe (12), and my parents Robert and Elizabeth. We built two eco-houses side by side in Shepton Mallet in 2014. My sister, Ruth, has Down Syndrome and she lives with us too. My experience of multigenerational living has been overwhelmingly positive, and Peter and I feel fortunate to have the support of our wider family in raising our children.

My decision to run in this election has been made with the massive support from my family. I would be unable to do this without them. I am aware of how privileged I am to be in this position. My mission is for these political positions to be accessible to everyone.

As someone with a family and who is passionate about community, I am invested in securing a promising future for my daughters in this country.

"I support Abi because I admire her energy and passion"
Peter
Burrington