Hi my name is Jean-Paul, known as JP, and I have been a Liberal Democrat Councillor representing Sherrards ward on Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council since my election in May 2018. As part of my duties at the council, I am chair of the Development Management Committee (DMC), and sit on the Grants Board and Whitley Committee.

I am a husband and father, who understands the pressures of modern life. I strive for fairness and equality for the people of Sherrards and Welwyn Hatfield as a whole. I listen and seek out people's opinions, necessities and concerns. I believe that we will make a stronger and healthier community together.

I have been a lifelong Liberal Democrat voter but only joined the party in 2017, prompted by the diversion of mainstream politics away from the centre; Tories moving right and Labour swerving left. As the Tories do not face an effective opposition it is time for the Liberal Democrats to hold the government to account.

I grew up in Stafford attending primary and secondary school there until I was fourteen, when I received a rugby scholarship from Sedbergh School, Cumbria. From Sedbergh, I went on to study engineering at Cambridge University.

Now I am Chartered Civil Engineer. This profession has allowed my wife and I to live and work in the UK, the Middle East and Central Africa. Living within differing political structures and cultures has given me a greater appreciation for the political and democratic traditions of the UK. The UK needs to work for the whole of society, underpinned by fair play and equality of opportunity.

I have always tried to put something back into any community that I live in, whether it be volunteer tutoring in Cambridge, pro-bono engineering advice in Rwanda or now volunteering for Hertfordshire County Council's Shared Care Scheme.