Louie French, the local champion for Old Bexley and Sidcup.
It is the greatest honour of my life to have been elected as the first "homegrown" MP for our wonderful area and re-elected in July 2024 to deliver even more for local residents.
I was educated and raised in Welling and Sidcup before becoming the first person in my family to study at university. I am proud to serve and give back to my local area, but I am not a career politician. My professional background is in financial services, working in the City of London, where I previously specialised in sustainable investment and research. I promised to stand down from my City career if elected, and I did so straight away.
I have a track record of working tirelessly on issues that impact our local area. These include campaigning for better public transport and against cuts to local services, lobbying for step-free access at local train stations, supporting the police, volunteering in the community, and opposing overdevelopment issues linked to Sadiq Khan’s London Plan.
My major achievements in recent years include the regeneration of The Green in Falconwood; supporting local businesses, pubs and sports clubs across Bexley during Covid by launching a special grant scheme; helping Bexley become the number one borough for apprenticeships; delivering a new library and cinema for Sidcup; protecting our greenbelt from overdevelopment.
Outside of politics, I enjoy cycling and walking around our local green spaces. I have also supported several local charities in recent years, including Demelza, Crossroads Care, and the Greenwich and Bexley Hospice. I volunteer in the community most weeks and previously served as a school governor in Welling.