Watch our video interview with Mrs Martin.

A MUM-OF-TWO from Princes Risborough has stepped up to fight for the Buckingham seat where Commons speaker John Bercow is standing for re-election.

Debbie Martin, 53, from Fairway said she decided to challenge the seat as an independent because she did not want to vote for any of the other candidates.

The Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrats are not opposing Mr Bercow as they say it is tradition that the speaker is unopposed.

She said boundary changes which takes the town out of Tory Aylesbury and into Buckingham had angered many as Mr Bercow is standing as an independent.

Although she says she has no experience in politics Mrs Martin said she has a wealth of experience in other walks of life and she is “a quick learner.”

She said: “When I spoke to friends and neighbours they said they weren't going to bother voting or they would go to the ballot box and spoil the paper.

“I thought that is such a waste especially what Emmeline Pankhurst went through to get women the vote.”

Mrs Martin is currently unemployed and worked in retail for 32 years before she left last October.

She said: “We were suddenly confronted with a situation with John Bercow where we would not be able to vote for any party and we thought what should we do and the alternatives weren't very appealing.”

Mrs Martin has lived in Princes Risborough for 17 years and her two sons George, 20 and Henry, 18 went to school in the town.

Mrs Martin, who has had to hire a car for the campaign as her family only have one car, said she wants to tackle the way schools are run and although education in Buckinghamshire is “generally good” she thinks there could be improvements.

She said she has a strong awareness of rural issues including the restrictions placed on farmers by Europe such as the movement of livestock, which are “not reflected in the rest of Europe.”

Mrs Martin, who has strong support from husband, Derek, thinks it is time for reform of the tax system and said she will not claim for a second home if elected even though she is entitled to.

Regarding the high speed rail link proposed through the county she said she believes it should not be a case of 'not in my back yard.'

She said: “It is actually about economic viability. How long is it going to take to recuperate that money from the investment? How much are they going to have to charge commuters?

“I can see more benefit for people if there was a high speed rail link to the north.”

Regarding her lack of experience in politics she said: “I have got masses of experience in business, education and healthcare. I am extremely interested in politics generally. I read the papers every day- I always have done and listened to political shows.

“I have strong opinions on policies but I don't fall into any political category.

“I live in the constituency. I know it and I think I will represent their views better than those who have put themselves forward.”