Ahead of the general election on Thursday, July 4, the candidates for South and West Dorset have spoken to The Echo about why they should get your vote.

Each day, one candidate will be featured. Today's candidate is Chris Loder.

Chris Loder, Conservative parliamentary candidate for West Dorset:

"As West Dorset’s MP for the last 4.5 years, I have delivered for you over £62.5 million of investment in Dorset County Hospital (DCH); over £83 million for school funding; and over £14.5 million for superfast broadband for 8,700 homes and businesses.

"And I’ve led the charge in Parliament to reform our Council Tax, save our railway station ticket offices, and successfully revolutionised the laws on animal welfare.

"My family home is near Sherborne and instead of going to university, I had a 20-year career with the railway before being elected in 2019.

"I will prioritise: the £40m to complete DCH, stopping the 3,500 massive Norchester Development; prioritise dentist and GP access; secure the future of Kingston Maurward college and make sure children are safeguarded from gender transitioning activism."