" It gives me a true perspective about working, " the Independent candidate for the forthcoming Frome by-election says that it is her job which means she has plenty of experience for the campaign.

The thirty six year old, who worked for six years in the care industry, is now a conductor on the railway and told Nub News that she knows exactly how tough the cost of living crisis is and how much it hurts ordinary working people.

She said: " Up and down the train on a daily basis I speak to hundreds of people from all works of life and I also work long shifts, so I know what it is like in the real world. The only reason I left the care industry, which I loved, was that it didn't pay a decent wage. I simply could not pay my bills, so I know how that feels, it was my reality. I was in the same place as so many people are today."

The plan to stand in an election was cast, but then accelerated, when the by-election was called for July 20

"It started as a discussion with some friends at a party when we were chatting about the state of politics and how we are feeling disenfranchised and basically politically 'homeless', " Rosie explained. " So I said I would stand next general election and then they announced a by-election. It was all very sudden, but we decided there is no time like the present and we went for it. It was announced on the Saturday (that Warburton had resigned). on the Sunday I got my signatures in, and on the Monday I set up the crowd funder for the deposit and within six hours we had the money.

"From there on in I have been working, campaigning and printing off leaflets. So working hard."

What can Rosie Mitchell bring for Frome ? Three things

Something completely different, from a local voice who knows what it means to live and work here.

A strong push to have public services to be properly funded. Properly public, properly maintained and properly prioritised.

An approachable presence in Frome who actively listens and responds, and acts, on local issues.

Rosie is standing as an Independent in the Somerton and Frome by-election having previously been a member of the Labour Party and is open about why she left. " I just think it is not for me anymore. I am glad I quit, because I have watched some amazing and dedicated people being thrown out. The opposition during the pandemic was just so poor too, and so I feel that I left for the right reasons. "

What is the one thing that makes you most angry about politics today?

No hesitation " The LYING, " responds Rosie. " Along with the self-serving nature of politicians. They are in it for the wrong reasons. I love my job, so being a parliamentary candidate is not a career for me, I just want things to change.

"We need honesty for people even if they don't want to hear it. " and Rosie, like the Green Party candidate is scathing about Frome's last MP, David Warburton. " How has he been able to claim his salary all this time ? I think we should take it back !" she exclaims.

" I consider myself the only real candidate on the left and one of the reasons I am standing and putting myself up there is because in this by-election we have some right wing candidates and that is looking very poor. "

At the start of Rosie's campaign she was supported by the legendary film director Ken Loach

He said: " I support Rosie Mitchell. She stands for: returning the collapsing NHS to its first principles and removing the profiteers from health care. Taking back our public utilities like water, to public ownership. An integrated transport system, owned by the people – as a railway worker, Rosie knows what she is talking about."

One of the main themes of her campaign - and a focus with her job of course - how important transport is

" Obviously our rural community relies on buses," Rosie told us. " You cant get to work, to the doctors, to the services, without transport services and those services need to not just simply exist, but run at times they are useful.

"Jobs are not just five days a week, well the jobs I have worked have never been just Monday to Friday. So we need transport for all the times you need it. Frome and Bruton actually have a poor train service, which could be so much better. I think when you have a growing town like Frome and more people wanting to live here, you have to address that. "

Rosie is one of eight candidates who have all been invited to a hustings at the Cheese & Grain on July 16

Fresh air for Frome but can Rosie win?

" I am realistic, that it is unlikely. Historically independents do not do very well in general elections, but nobody got anywhere by deciding not to try. But I am encouraged that people are asking about me ; ironically there have been those who are critical because they don't know anything about me. Which surely is a good thing? I am just a person who wants to do something positive. You will not find out about me because I have done something bad, or I have been involved in something wrong.

"I am just a person saying that it is time we need something different and I am prepared to be the one to stick my neck out and give it a shot."