I'm Sam Holland, I'm standing to be the first Conservative MP for Dagenham and Rainham.
I grew up at 7 Hunters Hall Road, Dagenham and attended Brittons School in Rainham. My first job at 16 was in Tesco Rainham. I’m the son of a family of Ford factory workers and latterly a London bus driver. My Mum is a cleaner in a Rainham factory. My Aunt, a maternity worker at Queen’s Hospital, Romford. I’m the product of one of the best upbringings on offer in the UK – a Dagenham and Rainham family with local Dagenham and Rainham values. I understand what it means to be made in Dagenham and Rainham.
Mum and Dad understood that to get on in life, hard work and giving back to your community is what counts. Ever since I was young, they have instilled this ethos in me. That’s why I volunteered with the Dagenham Air Cadets and even became its Commanding Officer – there, I led and guided a team to turn potentially troubled Dagenham kids into great citizens and future leaders. My team and I helped instil values of hard work, teamwork, and self-reliance into Dagenham’s young people.
I am not a career politician. Away from campaigning, I am lucky enough to work in financial services. I am married to my wonderful wife Becky who I love with all my heart. In my spare time, I enjoy watching football (which I'm not very good at playing) and have recently taken up golf - a sport better suited to my fitness level!