Martin Tod first published his pledges to the people of Winchester back in February 2008 and then expanded them in November 2009:
- I will put our local area first.
- I’m not, and never have been, afraid to take on my own party, or any other party, if I think they’re doing something that isn’t right for local people.
- I will live in the constituency and commute to London.
- Over 6,000 people commute into London every day from Winchester. I’ll be one of them.
- I will be a full time MP and not have any other job on the side.
- I will not employ any family members at public expense
- I will advertise all publicly-funded jobs in the local papers.
- People should be chosen on merit. Everyone should have an equal chance.
- I will hold regular surgeries around the constituency and publish an Annual Report to every household.
- Mark Oaten MP was the first MP to do this in Winchester. I will continue his work.
Some of the earlier pledges I made are now part of the expenses rules. Â I’ll still keep to them but don’t see the need to reprint them.