With the general election under a week away candidates are preparing for the final few days of campaigning.

We at the News Shopper asked the candidates for Old Bexley and Sidcup what they thought the most important issues were for the area and how they would tackle them.

James Brokenshire - Conservative:

Local Economy

“Strengthening our local economy to see more jobs and investment by getting Brexit right and creating the climate where business can succeed through smarter regulation, lower taxes and a focus on skills and apprenticeships.”

Local rail services

“Improving local rail services by setting new standards within the new contract to run trains on the South Eastern network to improve reliability and performance and increase capacity by securing more train carriages. I will continue to press the Department for Transport to integrate the work the train operator and Network Rail in the best interests of passengers and maintain the current choice of London destinations for local passengers.”

Queen Mary’s Hospital

“An issue for me is seeing continued improvements at Queen Mary's Hospital Sidcup by expanding the range of NHS services available for local patients and securing continued investment. I have been a strong supporter of our local hospital for many years and warmly welcome the significant enhancements we have seen over the last eighteen months. But there is more to do and I will continue to be a champion for increasing high quality NHS hospital services in Sidcup.”

Danny Hackett – Labour

Transport

“Crossrail coming to Abbey Wood is fantastic for Bexley and the potential of it being extended across the North of the borough will bring countless opportunities to our communities. However, we need to make sure that the south of the Bexley, including Sidcup isn’t left behind. I will campaign to make sure we have the correct infrastructure to connect Crossrail to the rest of our Borough. I will also campaign and hold Southeastern to account and work with colleagues to see public ownership of the railways so they are run for people and not profit.”

NHS

“Queen Mary's Hospital Accident and Emergency Department and Maternity ward were closed under a Conservative government, Conservative Member of Parliament, Conservative Mayor of London and Conservative council. Labour campaigned against the closures locally and believes for Queen Mary's Hospital to have a successful future; it needs to become a true hub for services. The new cancer unit must only be the beginning for a new chapter in the history for Queen Marys.

Council cuts

“As the council moves to full self- efficiency I will ensure local residents receive a fair deal and are not neglected. Labour believes in devolving power to local communities but that requires the necessary funding. Labour will give local councils the money they need to provide the services our communities expect and deserve.”

Derek Moran – Green

Queen Marys Hospital

“The privatisation of Queen Marys needs to stop and we need to get our A&E and maternity units back.”

Air quality

“Public transport needs to improve and become cheaper and emission free. Our high streets and roads near schools should be pedestrian only except for zero emission vehicles. We need to expand our green spaces and resume planting trees next to roads. The highest emitting vehicles need to be removed and proper, real controls on new vehicles need to be introduced.”

Environment

“The council sell off and development of our green spaces should be halted. We need our parks. They improve our air, and our physical and mental health. They are islands were some of our remaining wildlife can cling on, until hopefully we start to value them and make space for them.”

Freddy Vachha - UKIP

Old Farm Park

Mr Vaccha said stopping developments in Old Farm Park was a priority.

He added: "And waiting to kick out the blighters responsible in local elections in 2018 will be far too late. Blocking this awful move at Westminster level, if necessary, is supported by me.”

Drew Heffernan – Liberal Democrats

Housing

“Young, and not so young, people are finding it increasingly difficult to buy and rental properties are sometimes not up to scratch. Bexley council also has a poor record in talking rogue landlords. If elected I would campaign for more housing, including social housing for the area. Liberal Democrats would also introduce a rent to buy scheme where rents would add up over time so that you could eventually own your own home.”

Social Care

“The Tories’ current plans to implement a Dementia tax will affect many people in the borough and both I and my party will fight these plans tooth and nail. We would increase taxes to provide a health and social care service which does not penalise those who have worked hard over many years and who may now lose out due to this cruel policy from Theresa May.”

Education

“We would increase school funding, scrap SATS in primary school which are leading to significant stress for students and teachers, and give teachers the freedom to teach.”

Other candidates have been contacted and we will update the article once we get replies.