Jonathan said:  "It is right that candidates from all parties promise to conduct themselves in a certain way should they be elected, and I have done so willingly.  It is also vital that candidates promise to act appropriately during the course of the election, and I will be encouraging other candidates to make a similar pledge in the coming months.

"All too often, General Elections become about personal attacks and petty tribal games.  I have said from the start that it is right to hold a debate on policy, but that nothing turns the public off politics more than the childish boo-ha-ha that sadly comes with British politics."

His comments come ahead of the formal launch of his campaign early February.

"It's going to be an exciting few months.  There are significant local and national challenges our community faces and I'm looking forward to backing up the successful campaigns I've already run by getting out and meeting more people, listening to their concerns and responding to them as best I can.