UKIP has chosen its candidate to fight the Tonbridge and Malling Constituency at the next General Election.

He is Robert Izzard, a retired IT sales manager. His last position was as an international sales enabler for Adobe Software.

The seat has been held by Tory Sir John Stanley since its creation in 1974, but Sir John is stepping down at the election in May.

Mr Izzard said: “My work has taken me all across Kent and I have enjoyed its heritage, countryside, pretty villages and attractive town settings.

“I want to see that landscape cherished and nurtured, not over-developed.”

He said he would fight the residents’ corner over issues such as flood defences and town regeneration in Tonbridge, getting a secondary school in Edenbridge (which falls within the constituency) and traffic congestion in Malling.

Mr Izzard, 67, from Crowborough, said: “Massive house building projects and uncontrolled mass EU immigration have overstrained and adversely impacted local resources, infrastructure, and social services unfairly in Kent.

“Nationally, change in UK politics is essential because the other major parties no longer treat as the top priority the rights and interests of the UK people.

“Why have successive governments seemingly abandoned the UK people and given rights and priorities to others (the European Union) to govern us and tell us what to do?

“The UK’s people deserve better from their political leaders, but they will not change because they do not have to. .

“I think we must show them that is unacceptable and bring about change without them.

“Only UKIP offers the commitment and policies that will be good for the UK, by restoring our self-government and democracy to take back control over the key decisions and powers that are in our national interest and put the UK first. We cannot do this as a member of the European Union.“

Mr Izzard invited the public to contact him with their concerns ahead of the election.

He said: “I welcome contact with as many constituents as possible to learn of your issues and problems in Tonbridge and Malling and Edenbridge.”

Mr Izzard can be reached by email at robert.izzard@ukiptonbridge.co.uk