ELECTION 2015: Meet the candidates - Eastleigh

“THE thing about the four biggest parties is how little difference there really is between them – Labour, Tory, Lib Dem and UKIP all intend to ‘balance the books’ after the bankers crashed the economy by making ordinary people pay, not the bankers!

“Our starting point is that TUSC is 100 per cent against austerity. This is a rich country, the fifth richest on the planet. It’s just that the wealth is in the wrong hands – in the hands of a few millionaires and billionaires.

“Whilst we’ve had £80 billion worth of cuts in public services, in jobs and in living standards in the last five years, bankers and the top people in the finance industry have had £80 billion in bonuses. They’ve had recovery, we haven’t.

“The rich should pay to sort out the economic mess not the ordinary people of England, Scotland and Wales. That’s what makes TUSC different. TUSC’s policies have mass support!

“Over 75 per cent of people support renationalisation of rail, the post, gas and electricity – TUSC is the only party proposing that.

“I am committed to being a workers’ MP on a worker’s wage, only accepting the average pay of the worker in Eastleigh. I support the Trades Union Council, Bakers Food & Allied Workers’ campaign for a £10/hour minimum wage.”

Patricia Culligan, UKIP

“I’M A bit unusual in politics – I’m someone who isn’t afraid to say: ‘I don’t know’ or that: ‘I got that wrong and I’m sorry’.

“That’s the kind of MP I will be. Ever since the UKIP shop opened so many different people have come through our door.

“I want to keep this facility.

I want free cycling for all, for our health’s sake.

“And I’m passionate about our beautiful River Itchen and making sure it’s accessible to our disabled residents, too.

“I believe in a free NHS without privatisation but for UK residents only.

“A fair immigration policy with points-based entry to control our numbers so that we can plan services.

“Cheaper energy bills without EU add-ons and cuts to waste, not services.

“Don’t forget, we’ve had years of the old parties and we still have the unfair bedroom tax and more overdevelopment with the loss of our countryside – but without sufficient homes for locals.

“I’ve worked all over our area for 25 years and more: I understand the problems.

I believe in co-operation politics not pointless bickering.

“As your next MP I’ll be the best at standing up for you whoever you are.

“I have the life experience of being a mother; a social worker with the most vulnerable; a presenter; a lecturer; business owner; charity volunteer and I’m an avowed animal lover.”

Mims Davies, Conservative

“MY plan for the Eastleigh constituency is clear – it’s time for real change after 20 years of the Lib Dems.

“Residents do want continued positive action on jobs and opportunity and the local economy supported with an improved focus on the town centre.

“We have made strides on jobs with those unemployed down by 1,139 in the area since 2010.

“But to make a change I believe we must first tackle the crippling congestion.

“It hurts business and families with time wasted stuck in queues causing pollution.

“Across the area residents do want housing for our next generation but to be heard on greenfield sites.

“At residents’ meetings, particularly, people from Bursledon, Hamble and Netley are greatly concerned regarding the local infrastructure deficit, failed borough plan and the impact of open season on green spaces by hostile developers exploiting this failure.

“There are no neighbourhood plans either in this constituency and I believe that is a real concern for the local parishes. Voters also want to discuss Europe, immigration, NHS, defence and to be really listened to.

“I believe Britain’s best days are ahead and I’m pleased with our election pledges, which underline aspiration, help families and support youngsters into work and our older generation in retirement.”

Ray Hall, Beer, Baccy and Scratchings

“I AM an anti-austerity candidate caring for the interests of lower income families. It is unfair that wealthy people are paying less than poorer workers to reduce the deficit and debts of £1.56 trillion amassed by the previous governments.

“Many elderly and working families rely on food banks to survive and choose to eat or heat.

“Ray Hall pledges a ‘better future for all’ , more houses, jobs, pension increases and minimum wages.

“To reduce exorbitant tax, bank, utility, parking fines and fees, unfair commercial charges.

“Provide better health care and welfare, immigration controls and reduce crime.

“No person should go to bed cold or hungry nor wake in the morning without hope.

“Eton Oxbridge elitists, who have never had a proper job should be ‘red carded’ and replaced by business-minded Parliamentarians to boost national wealth and public interests.

“Avoid unnecessary wars like Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya costing hundreds of lives and billions of pounds, but declare war on poverty and the deficit.

“Together with commercial and political responsibility, lifestyles will improve.

“Having lived in the constituency since 1968 and not having to follow party lines I would be able to best serve your interests if elected.”

Mark Latham, Labour

“MY family live in Hamble and our children go to school and nursery in Bursledon.

“I’ve run my own businesses for 20 years so I am new to politics, I only got involved when I heard local politicians say one thing – make pledges to get votes – then act differently.

“I have campaigned against Eastleigh Borough Council’s plans to build hundreds of houses on Moorgreen Hospital and thousands on public parkland at North Stoneham.

“We know Eastleigh will have 50 per cent more houses since their Local Plan failed – but we will need parks, a community hospital as well as better roads, air quality and public transport.

I will fight for these long after this election.

“In this election the share of the popular vote will count as never before, it could decide who governs us, so vote for your values.

“Over a third of Lib Dem voters in 2010 have now switched to voting Labour.

“In hard times we must still look after the most vulnerable, to balance the books we need real growth for all, and immigration has to be controlled fairly.

“We also need an NHS with time to care.

“This is a better future, please join me and vote with us on May 7.”

Ron Meldrum, Green

“THIS election gives you the chance to vote to take a stand against the same philosophies of at least the last 200 years.

“I believe the current economic system is driving people to live in a way that is causing global warming, the destruction of wildlife and the natural world.

“If we continue the way we are the planet may get to a point where will no longer being able to support life as we know it.

“The Green Party offers a new vision in politics that puts sustainability and social justice at its core.

“To implement sustainability I want to work to reduce CO2 emissions and the demands on our precious world’s resources; help people live in harmony with each other rather than war; strive to improve the mental health of the nation; reduce the obscene gap between rich and poor; provide an education system that focuses on holistic child development and not simply ‘ticks in boxes’ and protect our health service from profiteers.

“If elected to Parliament I believe I can help deliver this and help influence the rest of world to follow suit.”

Mike Thornton, Liberal Democrat

“MY wife Peta and I first moved to Bishopstoke 20 years ago – one of the best decisions we made.

“Having had a 30-year fulltime career in business I’m certainly not a career politician.

“My base in my local community – where my wife works in the same school that my daughter attended – is what being ‘local’ really means to me.

“In two years in Parliament I have been proud to stand up for our local community.

“The Eastleigh community matters more to me than a party label, which is why in the House of Commons I have voted in our community’s interest and not simply followed a party or Government line.

“My vote against fracking is but one example.

“I’ve taken a leading role on transport policy, bringing forward improvements to the surfacing for our local motorways and promoting investment in local schools and health services, from the children’s heart unit in Southampton to campaigning for more services at Moorgreen.

“I have argued the case with the planning minister to save green gaps between our towns and villages, opposing the Hamble Gravel Pit.

“I hope you continue to support my efforts on your behalf.

“I look forward to continue working for you all, so I hope you support me.”