The General Election is less than a week away. News Shopper asked the MP hopefuls in Old Bexley & Sidcup why they should represent the constituency for the next five years. These were their replies.
JAMES BROKENSHIRE (CONSERVATIVE)
Age? 47
Where do you live? The family home with Cathy and the children has been Bexley Village for a number of years now.
Where are you from originally? Originally brought up in Essex.
Why do you want to represent this constituency? I want to represent Old Bexley & Sidcup to see that this community and our country continues to thrive with new jobs and apprenticeships being created, to see investment in our schools and health service as a result of a strong and growing economy and to promote an opportunity society so that everyone has the chance to fulfil their talents and potential while ensuring that those who’ve worked hard all their lives can retire with dignity and security.
What local policy are you most passionate? I'm most passionate about seeing local NHS services improve. I've campaigned tirelessly to secure the future of Queen Mary's Hospital. Having lost my father to cancer a couple of months ago I particularly welcome the opening of the new Cancer Treatment Centre in Sidcup next year which I've lobbied hard for.
Describe yourself in 3 words: Compassionate, determined, loyal.
Who is you biggest hero? My biggest hero is my late father who was a committed public servant throughout his life working in the health service and previously in local government including as chief executive of the London Borough of Greenwich and whose values of decency and public service continue to drive me on.
What is your proudest moment? Proudest moment the birth of our three children.
IBRAHIM MEHMET (LABOUR)
Age? 28
Where do you live? Bexleyheath
Where are you from originally? Born and raised in Bexley - family are from Cyprus.
Why do you want to represent this constituency? I was raised, educated and currently live in the Bexley. As your Labour Party candidate for Old Bexley and Sidcup I have a vision for the constituency and the country as a whole; a strong economic plan which is fully funded that will reduce the deficit every year. None of our manifesto commitments require any additional borrowing. We will guarantee higher living standards for working families by freezing energy bills, banning exploitative contracts, raising the minimum wage and providing 25 hour free childcare per week. We will also ensure the NHS is funded properly, with an additional 20,000 more nurses, 8000 more GPs and a guaranteed GP appointment within 48 hours.
What local policy are you most passionate about? The current situation at Queen Mary's Hospital is close to my heart. I was born there and have seen generations of my family receive great care - it saddens me to see the current situation it is in. We need to work on how we move forward with enhancing these services and alleviating the transport burdens residents are facing when asked to travel to other hospitals.
Describe yourself in 3 words: Honest - committed - ambitious.
Who is your biggest hero? My great-grandfather who fought in World War Two and spent four years in a Nazi prisoner of war camp. The courage and bravery he showed in a time when the world needed heroes to step forward and fight for everything we have today.
What is your proudest moment? Being selected to fight for the seat of Old Bexley and Sidcup. The opportunity to give an alternative to this failed coalition government and offer hope and real change in local people’s lives.
JENNIFER KEEN (LIB DEM)
Age? 29
Where do you live? South east London, near Herne Hill.
Where are you from originally? St Albans
Why do you want to represent this constituency? Because it's a fantastic place. I believe Sidcup should be properly represented at Westminster and should be taking the lead on some of the most important issues of the day - things like fairness, social justice and the environment.
What local policy are you most passionate about? Education. There are great schools in the area but we need to do more to make sure local kids get the best possible start in life.
Describe yourself in 3 words: Passionate, determined, optimistic.
Who is your biggest hero? Martin Luther King. For his leadership, his peacefulness, and his incredible skills of rhetoric.
What is your proudest moment? I work for a charity in my day job and my proudest moment was getting a law passed to protect disabled people whose assistance dogs were getting attacked by other dogs.
CATHERINE REILLY (UKIP)
Age? I am 66 years old
Where do you live? The Belvedere ward in the Borough of Bexley.
Where are you from originally? I was born in the neighbouring Borough of Greenwich.
Why do you want to represent this constituency? I want to represent this constituency as I am very acquainted with the borough as a resident in a neighbouring ward. I also worked in Bexley in the public sector as a social worker and probation officer before I transferred to Kent local authority as a manager dealing with youth crime and immigration. I understand that the Bexley residents are disillusioned and are seeking change. I have the skills, knowledge and experience to affect this, locally and nationally.
What local policy are you most passionate about? There are many local policies that I am passionate about - the elderly and social care. There are approx. 22 care homes in Bexley with the cuts in these budgets what is the quality of care? Schools, limited spaces. GP and Hospital waiting times and quality of services. Youth unemployment. Green spaces and wildlife. Affordable homes and social housing. Local homes for local people. Better services, support and homes for those residents that are disabled on the physical and emotional spectrum.
Describe yourself in 3 words: I would describe myself as having integrity; emotionally intelligent and patriotic.
Who is your biggest hero? My biggest political hero was Margaret Thatcher notwithstanding some of her policies. Essentially she gave a voice for women in the political arena.
What is your proudest moment? I was employed many years as a middle manager and was so proud when I finally broke through 'the glass ceiling' into strategic/senior management.
DEREK MORAN (GREEN)
Age? 48
Where do you live? Bexley
Where are you from originally? Born in Yorkshire, raised in Northern Ireland, came back to England when I was 15.
Why do you want to represent this constituency? I have lived in the area for 15 years and my children where born and go to school here. I want to ensure that they and everyone here gets to live in a fair society, that ensures everyone has what they need to live a decent life and that we all work towards a more sustainable future for our environment.
What local policy are you most passionate about? I'm equally passionate about reversing the privatisation of Queen Mary's, returning maternity and A&E, and protecting our remaining green spaces.
Describe yourself in 3 words: Very concerned parent.
Who is your biggest hero? My Hero(s) are the many climate scientists who work diligently and methodically and clearly show us the effects of ever increasing CO2 levels on our climate. Why we continue to ignore them will be the greatest puzzle to anyone in the future that studies this period in time.
What is your proudest moment? Again two! One a boy and one girl.
NICOLA FINCH (BNP)
Age? 41
Where do you live? Bexley
Where are you from originally? London
Why do you want to represent this constituency? I have lived in Bexley for many years and I feel that the area has become an overspill from an already over populated capital city due to the failure of the three mainstream parties that have provided an open door immigration system over the last few decades. I feel that the British National Party is the only party that has the RIGHT policies on immigration, because immigration affects all aspects of our lives, including the NHS, school places, housing, the environment/greenbelt, etc.
What local policy are you most passionate about? As a mother of a young child I am passionately concerned about crime and gang culture within our borough, and if elected I will work tirelessly to support groups and projects that help and educate young adults.
Describe yourself in 3 words: A people person.
Who is your biggest hero? My mother
What is your proudest moment? The birth of my child.
LAURENCE WILLIAMS (CHRISTIAN PARTY 'PROCLAIMING CHRIST'S LORDSHIP')
Age? 51
Where are you from originally? St. Pancras
Why do you want to represent this constituency? Live locally (29 years). Will use truth over other party dogma.
What local policy are you most passionate about? Queen Mary's Hospital.
Describe yourself in 3 words: Sense of humour.
Who is your biggest hero? Martin Peters (Tottenham Hotspur and England) scoring England's first goal in the World Cup '66.
What is your proudest moment? Introducing my three new born children to my family each time!!!
BOB GILL (NATIONAL HEALTH ACTION PARTY) Did not reply
For your guide to the General Election in Bexley, click here.
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