Lib Dem compares Broadland constituency to Helsinki suburbs

Dr Leyla Hannbeck is the Liberal Democrat candidate in Broadland and Fakenham who is hoping to take the seat from the Tories at the General Election. 

She grew up in Finland before moving to the UK in 2004 and said she was drawn to Broadland because of its likeness to her home region. 

"I grew up close to Helsinki, surrounded by nature but also having a modern society next door," she added. "Broadland is like this."

Helsinki, capital of Finland (Image: Johannes Jansson)

Dr Hannbeck, the CEO of Independent Pharmacies Association, a group which represents community pharmacies across the UK, said she is "not the usual career politician".

She said: "I have worked very hard to get to the top of my profession and have already made a career for myself.

"I've decided to get into this because our political system needs changing and we need people with life experience representing us."

Fakenham has a population of around 8,000 (Image: Sonya Duncan)

DRAWN TO THE DENTAL DESERT

Currently living in St Albans, Hertfordshire, Dr Hannbeck said she was also drawn to a Norfolk constituency because she wanted to help address the region's poor dental care and lack of access to NHS services.

Patient group Healthwatch Norfolk (HWN) recently conducted a survey of more than 50 dental surgeries in the county as people continue to struggle to access services.

For the second year in a row, the organisation found that of the 53 practices it asked, none were accepting new NHS patients and some had waiting lists in the thousands.

Dr Hannbeck, 46, said: "I get sad when I hear politicians who don't have a clue talking about the NHS. We need people who understand what the issues are. I know what I'm talking about."

Dr Hannbeck, right, with her husband and three children aged four, 10 and 17 (Image: Leyla Hannbeck)

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The mother-of-three studied pharmaceutical science in Sweden before moving to the north of England 20 years ago, and said she had no concerns about relocating her family to Norfolk if she was elected.

She added: "I'm keen to move if I'm successful. I adapted when I moved here and my children are like me, they would be the same."

NOT A ONE-TRICK PONY

Dr Hannbeck said she did not believe her specialist health focus would prevent her from addressing other issues in Broadland and Fakenham. 

She described herself as a "quick learner" and said she had been speaking with locals about the Western Link on doorsteps across the constituency. 

She said: "We must ensure that we tackle all of the concerns relating to this. We want a solution that brings economic benefits to the region and solves the issues that residents have reported, including rat running and long journeys. 

"I come from a country where we look after our environment and we need robust plans that protect Norfolk's green space - we should be sympathetic to the environment. But we can't spend another 20 years talking about this road."

Leyla Hannbeck, candidate in Broadland and Fakenham (Image: Leyla Hannbeck)

She added that while healthcare is "one of her strengths", she is learning a lot about other issues which matter to local people.

BATTLE FOR BROADLAND

Broadland and Fakenham has undergone a slight name change this year, with the addition of the town's name to the constituency.

Jerome Mayhew, who has held the seat for the Conservatives since 2019, is seeking another victory.

He won with 60pc of the vote that year, followed by Labour with 21pc and the Lib Dems with 16pc. 

His opponents on July 4 include Dr Hannbeck, Labour's Iain Simpson, Green Jan Davis and Reform UK's Eric Masters.

Dr Hannbeck is undeterred by Mr Mayhew's majority of nearly 22,000 at the last election. 

"I would be a completely different MP," she said. "I will get things done and I'm a good listener."