The General Election candidates in Lewisham East - a seat held by Labour since 1992 - answer our questions.
HEIDI ALEXANDER (LABOUR)
Age? 40 (just!)
Where do you live? Lewisham
Where are you from originally? Swindon in Wiltshire
Why do you want to represent this constituency? Lewisham has been my home for the last 13 years. It's a great place to live but I know there is much that still needs to change.
What local policy are you most passionate about? I’ve always felt very strongly about the need to provide more genuinely affordable homes. London’s housing crisis affects everyone from the young professional wanting to buy their first flat to low-income families in overcrowded, poorly-maintained properties. For those of us who have decent homes to come back to every night, I think it’s all too easy to forget those who are less fortunate. It must be tackled.
Describe yourself in 3 words: Honest, hard-working, optimistic
Who is your biggest hero? My dad. He is modest man who has no reason to be. He's had a manual job all of his life and yet has the intelligence and judgement to have run the country (in my view!).
What is your proudest moment? I remember walking into Parliament for the first time after the General Election in 2010 and couldn't quite believe that someone like me had become an MP. The most nerve-wracking moment soon followed though - asking the Prime Minister a question!
JULIA FLETCHER (LIB DEM)
Age? 52
Where do you live? Catford
Where are you from originally? We moved around when I was young because of my father's job with the railways, but for all of my time at secondary school we lived in Lancashire.
Why do you want to represent this constituency? I have lived in Lewisham East for over 20 years and really care about the area. It's a great place to live but there is lots of potential for more to be done: a stronger local economy with more jobs and training opportunities; improved transport capacity e.g. the proposed Bakerloo line extension through Lewisham and Catford; more affordable housing and a better environment, cleaner and with more done to tackle air pollution. I would work hard for progress on all these issues.
What local policy are you most passionate about? The cost of housing is so high in London - we need more housing and especially affordable housing. It must be good quality, though.
Describe yourself in 3 words: Friendly, determined, positive!
Who is your biggest hero? Barack Obama - he overcame great obstacles to become the first black president and is an inspiration to people all around the world.
What is your proudest moment? As a councillor for Downham my proudest moment was the first time I helped a family to be rehoused to somewhere more suitable - it's become increasingly difficult which is why we need more affordable housing.
PETER FORTUNE (CONSERVATIVE)
Age? 36
Where do you live? Bromley
Where are you from originally? South Londoner born and bred - West Norwood originally.
Why do you want to represent this constituency? After a difficult five years turning the economy around the country is starting to get back on her feet. However, so much of South London seems to get left behind with poor housing and under performing schools - I want Lewisham East to feel the benefits of all the hard work that's been done.
What local policy are you most passionate about? It would be a toss up between housing and education - both very important. A recent report said that Lewisham had the worst GCSE results in London so we really need to do something about that!
Describe yourself in 3 words: 1) Passionate. 2) Efficient. 3) Don't need three - see previous.
Who is your biggest hero? Abraham Lincoln
What is your proudest moment? Watching my wife get her PGCE from Greenwich last year. Our whole family worked really hard to support her retraining and now she's doing a brilliant job teaching in a primary school.
STÖRM POORUN (GREEN)
Age? 38
Where do you live? I live in Ladywell, near Lewisham Hospital.
Where are you from originally? I was bought up in Ireland, Mauritius, and mainly London.
Why do you want to represent this constituency? To bring about a better society for people of Lewisham and beyond - by moving to a steady-state and fair economy centred around the needs of people and our environment.
What local policy are you most passionate about? Quality of life (e.g. air pollution, housing, health, open spaces)
Describe yourself in 3 words: Considered. Humorous. Direct.
Who is your biggest hero? I'm not into hero worship, it's better to admire specific achievements or character traits. I am inspired by some works of Maya Angelou, Marianne North, Gerald Durrell, Petra Kelly, David Attenborough, Stephen Jay Gould, Enya, Buffy Sainte-Marie
What is your proudest moment? My proudest moments are all when someone (a stranger, relative or friend) has put themselves out to help me or others unexpectedly and for no reward, or courageously challenged their existing views. In those moments I feel immensely proud of them.
NICK LONG (LEWISHAM PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT)
Age? 56
Where do you live? Catford
Where are you from originally? West Midlands - Leamington Spa.
Why do you want to represent this constituency? To give a voice to those opposing austerity.
What local policy are you most passionate about? Housing and homelessness.
Describe yourself in three words: Socialist, trade unionist.
Who is your biggest hero? Thomas Rainsborough - leader of the Levellers.
What is you proudest moment? Seeing the people of Lewisham take on the government to defend our hospital and win!
ANNE MARIE WALTERS (UKIP) Did not reply
MAUREEN MARTIN (CHRISTIAN PEOPLE'S ALLIANCE) Could not be reached
For your guide to the General Election in Lewisham, click here.
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