Hello Electorate

Hi i intend to stand in the 2015 general election as an independent in Micheal Gove's Constituency of Surrey Heath to flag up the Arts in the general election. I am an artist. I show my work around the World and recently showed my work in a one person exhibition at PS1 (part of The Museum of Modern Art in New York) . I am also an associate professor of Fine Art at London Metropolitan University where I run an MA course in Fine Art. I have been inspired to run in Surrey Heath by the Rt Honourable Michael Gove.

Michael Gove is passionate about education but he has got one thing completely wrong. (Well probably a few things wrong.) The Sorrel Foundation recently celebrated that 2014 saw an unprecedented contribution to the economy from the Arts of £76.9 Billion , thats £8.8 million an hour. Micheal Gove's dogged belief that the Arts are 'an add on' to the curriculum and should not be core to children's experience of school damages Britain's ability to compete in the World. In addition to this fundamental error diminishing the Arts in schools erodes children's sense of their own voice, further more the arts are increasing seen as important to our mental and physical well-being and importantly are part of Britain's democratic history and a necessary to aid free speech. All parents have cultural aspirations for their children. We want our kids to play the violin, become great footballers, star in school plays and find them selves through the arts. I am standing to argue the point locally but also nationally that these aspirations should be afforded to all children and that the arts should be funded properly and be an election issue in 2015. Vote for me if you live in Surrey Heath

Bye Bob and Roberta Smith