Doncaster Conservatives selected Martin Drake to contest the 2013 Doncaster Mayoral Election which will be held on the 2nd of May.
Doncaster needs decisive and clear leadership to guide us all through these turbulent and difficult times. With a clear vision, resolute determination and the energy to drive this town forward.
· I’m a local businessman and farmer born and bred in Fenwick, Askern. Since leaving Durham University in 1996 I’ve run the family farm increasing the turnover 3fold since 2007. The farm, Ladythorpe, has been in the family since 1952 and is predominately a dairy farm but we also run a flock of sheep. My grandfather a farm labourer moved here from Bingley and worked on the railway to help buy the farm that my father bought from him in 1974.
· I was educated at Askern Spa then Campsmount. Two schools I’m extremely proud to have attended. I now serve the community by being a school governor on two governing bodies and I’m determined that education in the borough should be the best in the North of England. All our children deserve the best start to their lives and this council has let them down its time we swept the old regime away.
· I studied physics at Durham University and after returning home to run the family business due to my father’s ill health, it has become very obvious that Doncaster lacks the ability to attract university graduates and retain the best pupils. This needs to change and a climate of opportunity created to create wealth within the local business community.
· Whilst at Durham I played hockey and rowed for my college. I played cricket for Fenwick for a short while, but in fairness I was no Richard Hadlee. Because I feel that sport should be an integral part of our lives I helped run a badminton club for several years, unfortunately I only play occasionally now. In my spare time I now go mountain climbing in Scotland especially during the winter.
· My hobbies are varied; I’m a keen advocate of getting children to read using comics unfortunate hardly any British ones now exist. I’ve been collecting British comics since I was 5 years old. This started my interest in science fiction and I used to hide behind the sofa during episodes of Dr Who. I also enjoy reading historical novels and history in general. We should always remember where we came from. The history of Europe really fascinates me. The comparisons with EU and the Holy Roman Empire are astounding.
· I have been actively involved in politics since 1999. I got involved because I didn’t believe a lot of Tony Blairs rhetoric. If it’s too good to be true, IT IS not true. My views on running an economy were entirely opposite of Gordon Browns. Soon after I was asked to advise the then shadow cabinet on agricultural matters.
· After standing several times in Askern ward for DMBC in 2005 I stood for parliament in Doncaster North against ED Milliband, gaining the second largest swing to the Conservatives in the whole of Yorkshire and the Humber. Since then I have held several positions within the local Conservative Party.
· For several years I was involved in a national dairy firm. I stood on the communications committee and was actively involved in member participation.
· And with whatever spare time there’s left I enjoy watching my beloved Yorkshire cricket team and hopefully England retain the ashes this summer. Cricket vies with Rugby league as my sport of choice, luckily Headingly has both!
· My political hero is Stanley Baldwin. A shrewd, passionate conservative. And he got the job done.