Local man Mark Coote will be fighting the next General Election for the Conservatives in Cheltenham, whenever Gordon Brown finally decides to go to the country.

Mark grew up in Leckhampton, attended Leckhampton Primary School and then Cheltenham Grammar School (now Pate's). He studied Russian History and Politics at Nottingham University before doing a PostGrad year in teacher training, a Masters Degree at the University of London and a short term Fellowship at Oxford.

After spending over twenty years in secondary education Mark joined Britain's largest charity, Cancer Research UK, in 2004 as Director of Community Fundraising. He is now an Associate Director, leading the fundraising efforts for the charity across the country. It is a cause very close to his heart.

Mark says, 'It's great to be working in my home town as the Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman; an ambition I have had since I was a boy. I'm Cheltenham through-and-through and it's an honour to try and help my fellow citizens.'

Mark's passion for politics began when, in 1978, he and fellow pupils from Cheltenham Grammar School raised a petition to save the school from being forced to become a comprehensive.

'I was angry at the time because local opinion was being ignored by the Labour Government.' Mark delivered the petition to Number 10 Downing Street, supported by Cheltenham's then Conservative MP, Sir Charles Irving.

"Being local helps. You have to be in tune with the townspeople and have a sense of their priorities. What matters is that Cheltenham's voice is heard at Westminster and that local people feel they are being listened to. Health, education, the environment, transport and quality of life are all hugely important to our town.'

Mark has been campaigning hard since his selection in November 2006: 'It's wonderful to have the opportunity to represent Cheltenham and I am really enjoying meeting new people, getting to know them and championing their concerns.'

Mark lives in the St Luke's part of town, close to the town centre. He supports a number of local organisations including the Playhouse Theatre, The Everyman Theatre, the Oakley Regeneration Partnership, Winston's Wish, the Gustav Holst Birthplace Museum, Cheltenham's Local History Society and is a regular worshipper at St Mary's Charlton Kings where he was formerly a chorister. He is also a Foundation Governor of Pate's Grammar School and Associate Governor of Pittville School.