The former chairman of energy giant Shell UK standing as an Independent in Essex

A former chairman of Shell UK is hoping his messaging around a rejection of the current political system will help topple a potential future leader of the Conservative party.

Erik Bonino - standing as an Independent for the newly created seat of North West Essex - says his journey from the board room of one of the world’s largest companies to the campaign trail in rural north Essex would have not started but for his own dismay of what he sees as a failure of politicians to address key strategic issues.

And of those he counts health and social care, defence, energy policy, demographics, immigration, and economic growth. The 61-year-old from Henham is among five candidates hoping to wrestle the seat away from the incumbent Kemi Badenoch - among the favourites to lead the Tory party after the election.

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But Mr Bonino said that reform of how people decide Government was essential if the country was to improve. People are not being educated or engaged in discussions about major issues, which require a medium- to long-term consensus to develop enduring strategies, he says.

He adds a growing “us versus them” factionalism is leading to a breakdown in national debate when what is needed is cross-party and cross-community dialogue, consensus, and sustainable strategies.

He told a hustings meeting at Stansted Mountfitchet on June 26: “I think we need something better. But for that to happen we need to start focusing and voting for the real person who stands before us and not some vague notion of a political party and our allegiance to it.

“Politics will and can only improve when it is made up of people we believe are capable, honest, experienced and responsive to us.”

Starting with a career with Tate and Lyle - which he says has put him off sugar for life - he has for the past 30 years been a leading figure in the energy industry. He was chairman of Shell between 2014 and 2017.

Although semi-retired Bonino is a mentor to Imperial College London’s Imperial Venture Mentoring Service program where he advises a number of technology start-up companies in energy and related fields.

And among his ideas around tax reform he is also unafraid to dispel what he sees as myths around future energy costs and the work needed to ramp up the country’s electricity network.

And with that he notes North West Essex is already a major thoroughfare for electricity transmission lines, and this will only increase as we move towards greater electrification of energy consumption.

He says new lines from a revamped Sizewell nuclear power station, additional wind and solar projects, and a major new 400KV high voltage line from Norwich to Tilbury will all bring more pylons and substations to the area and a proper discussion needs to happen - along with full disclosure and planning over what is coming - to allow zoning for certain kind of development and where there need to be upgraded.

He added that rethinking the tax system in the UK can create a more conducive environment for businesses to invest in productivity-enhancing assets.

And by making strategic changes to capital allowances, introducing full expensing, enhancing R&D and green investment incentives, and encouraging long-term and skills investments, the UK can create a more dynamic and competitive business environment.

And among those should be a Fresh State tax code to incentivise people to reenter the workforce - levied at a flat rate - that could raise billions.

He also says education needs to be taken out of the political arena altogether and given the same sort of autonomy in the way the economy is with an independent Bank of England.

He added: “What defines me are the things which I believe and hold to be important. I believe in a society of aspiration, where everyone is encouraged and enabled to be the very best version of themselves, and to be rewarded for that.

“I believe in a society that is fair and just and looks after its most vulnerable.

“I believe an individual has both rights and obligations to society and finally I believe in a society of community and giving back.”

He added; “If we really want better politics we must have the courage to vote differently and focus on the really person standing before us.”

The full list of candidates standing in North West Essex

• Kemi Badenoch - Conservative Party

• Edward Vernon Gildea - Green Party

• Erik Bonino - Independent

• Andrew David Green - Independent

• Niko Omilana - Independent

• Issy Waite - Labour Party

• Smita Rajesh - Liberal Democrats

• Grant John Maxwell StClair-Armstrong - Independent