Meet the influencer candidate - the Instagram fan who wants to become a Norfolk Tory MP.
Charlotte Salomon has been chosen as the new Conservative candidate for Norwich North.
The 39-year-old has been drafted in by the party from Essex where she previously stood unsuccessfully for her council and served as deputy chairwoman of the local Tory branch.
But despite her relative lack of front line political experience, she appears well-connected among Conservative circles.
Her Instagram feed includes photos of her smiling with prime minister Rishi Sunak and his predecessor Liz Truss, alongside motivational quotes, selfies, snaps of homemade baked goods and pictures of her pet dogs and horse, Marmalade.
As a self-proclaimed "social media person", and like many MPs, she is active across Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.
But it is her Instagram feed that sets her apart from most politicians.
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"I know I'm different," she said. "It's my artsy past shining through and I think it's a strength."
She added: "I’m not going to pretend to be something I’m not. People often think I’m a Labour candidate just because I’m not in a grey suit.
"I don’t fit in with what people assume a Tory candidate looks like.
"A lot of politicians are trying to get involved with Instagram, but they need to do more than just posting photos of their coffee. Hopefully I can lead the way."
LATE START
The mother of eight-year-old twins is currently training to be a barrister at the University of Essex, but also has a background in business studies and animation.
She is a late entry in the race to succeed Chloe Smith as Norwich North MP.
While Labour have had their challenger, Alice Macdonald, in place for almost two years, the selection process for the Conservatives - in what is seen as a bellwether seat - has not been so smooth.
The party previously selected candidate Nick Rose but his campaign ended in spectacular style following a hustings event at Thorpe St Andrew School.
His comments on immigration and transgender issues prompted a backlash which led to him standing down days later.
Mrs Salomon, who lives near Bishop's Stortford, is unfazed by the delayed start to her campaign and happy to address the controversial way in which she entered the race.
"I'm just going to get on with it," she said.
"Mr Rose's comments were not productive or helpful, and he was right to step down.
"I'm a very normal person and intend to be myself throughout this process. I don't believe we always have to be dressed in tweed to do a good job."
ADDRESSING CONTROVERSIES
Mr Rose's downfall came after he told his audience of schoolchildren: "A bloke wearing a dress who identifies as a woman should not be in a woman's prison and should not be allowed in women's toilets. How on earth can all of you ladies here allow a bloke in a skirt into your loos? It's disgusting."
He also described the arrival of boat-loads of migrants on the south coast as "an invasion".
It was the final straw for the party and he stood down days later after the school complained.
He had also previously referred to "idle benefit scroungers" in a social media post which also featured a photo of other local Tories, including Ms Smith. The tweet infuriated local Tory bosses.
It is unlikely that social media-savvy Mrs Salomon will commit a similar faux pas, but on trans issues and immigration she shares Mr Rose's concerns.
"I wouldn't use the term invasion, but I do think we need to get on top of illegal immigration.
"It’s important that we stop gangs from taking advantage of vulnerable people trying to cross the Channel," she said.
"I also think we need to look at facts when it comes to the transgender debate. We've got to be realistic about the safeguarding risks that arise from having a biological man use spaces designated for women and children, such as changing rooms and toilets."
She added: "As a mum, safeguarding is always going to be the priority for me. It is important to safeguard both women and transwomen. But we’ve got to look at facts and biology."
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ANTI-SEMITIC DOXXING
Immigration and trans issues can be incendiary topics which provoke strong reactions, especially online.
And Mrs Salomon is well aware of the increasing levels of anger on social media, having been targeted herself.
The candidate, who is Jewish and lived in Israel for five years, said she has been subject to an increase in online abuse over the last few months, since the attack on Israel by Hamas and Israeli response.
"I've received a huge amount of death threats and rape threats," she said.
"People have even threatened my children. This has massively increased recently. It's a scary time for Jews."
Mrs Salomon, who is married to an Israeli venture capitalist, added: "I’ve been doxxed [had personal information published online without her consent] as a Jew before. It’s a hard time. I know if I put myself out there I’m going to get attacked. But I felt awful."
However, she stressed that as a candidate canvassing in Norwich she had not encountered any anti-semitism.
LOCAL PRIORITIES
Mrs Salomon was deputy chairman of the Saffron Walden Conservatives between 2018 and 2022, and stood for the Broad Oak and the Hallingburys Ward at Uttlesford District Council in the 2023 local elections.
She said her priorities as a Norwich MP would be securing increased funding for local NHS services and ensuring access to affordable housing.
"People who are born here should be able to afford to buy a house here," she said.
"But infrastructure is really important too and we've got to make sure we get the funding we need for healthcare. I will be a cheerleader for the proposed dental school at the UEA."
The project, which is just over the constituency border in Norwich South, has been an ongoing saga for the entire city for years and there are huge questions over what should happen next.
But when pressed for her proposed solutions, Mrs Salomon asked for more time to be able to research the issue.
She later said: "I’m in favour of more homes, using brownfield sites, and finally getting this site moving so the city can benefit from homes and jobs."
She is clearer on the need for Norfolk to secure additional funding for the Western Link, the proposed 3.9-mile road to connect the Northern Distributor Road to the A47.
Council leaders are expecting the Department for Transport to increase its agreed contribution to the bill from £213m to £251m, but months have passed since that possibility was mooted.
Inflation has also pushed the estimated cost of the project to £274m, meaning the county council may still have to borrow cash or dip into reserves to make up the shortfall.
Mrs Salomon said: "Everyone I have spoken to wants that road. People need to be able to get around quickly and easily.
"It's in the best interests of the people of Norwich to get it sorted."
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