With campaigning for the General Election under way in the South West Wiltshire constituency we meet the UK Independence Party candidate

“I GOT into politics because I was sick of screaming at the TV and because I care about this country, so I decided I wanted to take action,” explained Matthew Brown, UKIP candidate for South West Wiltshire.

The 51-year-old is hoping to become MP for the area when the public go to the polls on May 7 and is keen to let people know what drives him to succeed in the world of politics.

“Firstly, I’m extremely patriotic and I feel this country is being let down,” he said.

“Secondly, I’m all about getting things done. I’ve worked for 25 years as a business advisor helping people with their businesses and I’m a great believer in solving a difficult problem with an elegant solution.

“Thirdly, I address problems. I don’t ignore them and try to sweep them under the carpet it’s about confronting difficult realities. I’ve worked abroad and in business. which has allowed me to get experience and I know how the world works and nothing is straightforward.”

Mr Brown, who currently lives in Shaftesbury, moved to the area five years ago with his wife, a primary school teacher. He has three children aged between 17 and 21 and two stepchildren aged ten and eight.

As well as his love for his family Mr Brown has a passion for two other things in his life: motorbikes and music.

“It’s a little bit of a midlife crisis I think, but I had them when I was younger and I just like scooting around Wiltshire’s roads on them. At the moment I have a classic Harley-Davidson,” he said.

“I’m also into music, again it was something I was into when I was growing-up. I play the drums just because it was something I always wanted to do and my stepson is also learning to play so that’s nice.”

Despite being born in Surrey and living across the border in Dorset, Mr Brown is a great fan of Wiltshire and what it has to offer.

He said: “I love Wiltshire because of the fantastic history and countryside. I’m also a pub enthusiast and I’ve been supporter of CAMRA for many years. The area has a wealth of breweries and there are some great historic towns.

“I also enjoy going for walks with my stepchildren in the great countryside.”

And Mr Brown is enjoying his time campaigning and trying to win people’s votes.

He added: “I have a Mars Bar or a Twix when I’m out and about. I’m actually off the booze for the campaign so I won’t be doing any Nigel Farage-style campaigning, but I have stuff with lots of sugar in to keep me going.

“I do love it though the campaigning. There is lots of interest to it all and it’s interesting being confronted at the debates and knowing the accountability lies with you.”

Age: 51
Address: Shaftesbury
Occupation: Business advisor
Marital status: Married
Children: Three children and two stepchildren

Standing in South West Wiltshire are: George Aylett (Labour); Matthew Brown (UKIP); Trevor Carbin (Lib Dem); Andrew Murrison (Conservative); Phil Randle (Green).