Meet Ross Mackinnon, Conservative MP candidate for Reading West and Mid Berkshire

Ross Mackinnon is a Conservative councillor, husband and father of four who is standing for the Reading West and Mid Berkshire constituency.

Aged 45, he has lived in Burghfield Common for 10 years.

When he is not in the hubbub of the West Berkshire Council serving as the Tory shadow leader, he handles a career as a financial trainer.

What are the three biggest challenges facing the people of Reading West and Mid Berkshire? 

"It’s a marvellous place but there are some areas where crime and antisocial behaviour needs to be stopped.

"Our economy and local and rural businesses need to be supported and backed.

"And of course we need more good quality affordable housing for our young people."

What causes will you be championing if elected as an MP?

"I’ll fight for more police officers on our streets, building on the hundreds more already in the Thames Valley since 2019. Thanks to Conservative Government funding, our Royal Berkshire Hospital will be rebuilt – I want to make sure it’s on a site easily accessible to us all in Reading West & Mid Berkshire.

"And I’ll protect our green spaces from development, at the same time as making sure more houses are built in the right places."

Quick fire round:

What car do you drive?

"A bright yellow Kia Picanto. It looks like a little rollerskate but I love it!"

What's your favourite film or TV show?

"Film – Ghostbusters. TV – Hey Duggee. My kids love it, and it’s the best thing that’s ever been on TV. And I include The Sopranos and Breaking Bad in that contest."

When was the last time you cried?

"My kids watched Toy Story 3 the other day. I’ve seen it a million times, but I well up at the incinerator scene every time."

 What's your stance on drug legalisation, and have you ever taken any drugs in your past?

"No I haven’t. I think we shouldn’t make it easier for young people to damage their physical and mental health. I’d rather focus on education."