BATTLE lines are drawn in Eastleigh as the countdown to the general election ticks down.

The five parliamentary candidates have thrown down the gauntlet, with Conservatives hoping to retain the seat.

In the last general election, back in 2015, they reclaimed Eastleigh from the Liberal Democrats after more than 20 years.

Two years on, the seat remains hotly contested.

Conservative Mims Davies, who has been Eastleigh MP for the past two years, will stand against her predecessor Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Thornton and UKIP’s Malcolm Jones, the Greens’ Ron Meldrum and Labour’s Jill Payne.

What most parties agree on is that significant factors in voters’ minds are future housing development and the protection of green areas.

Housing, green spaces and finding the balance between providing homes and protecting countryside has dominated the Eastleigh political landscape for several years.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, plans for thousands of new homes sparked fierce opposition from residents who voiced their fears over the impact of the new development, especially plans for the Bishopstoke and Fair Oak areas.

Ms Payne said that threat to historic woodland and countryside is an ongoing issue and added that protection of green spaces is a major factor in people’s mind.

However, she also acknowledged the need for affordable and sustainable housing for the local population.

The importance of countryside gaps between towns and villages in the constituency was also stressed by Mr Thornton, while Ms Davies said she wants to continue to protect the local countryside and woodland.

Ms Payne said that the development proposals do not meet the local needs for truly affordable housing and added she would like to see a public investment into the provision of social housing throughout the constituency.

UKIP candidate Malcolm Jones said that pressure of Britain’s increasing population is damaging Eastleigh and he will fight mass housing development.

He also said he will work to ensure there is no backsliding on Brexit.

Most candidates also recognised Brexit as one of the factors that could affect the vote.

However, Ms Davies said only Theresa May’s Conservatives can be relied upon to get the UK and Eastleigh the best possible deal from Brexit.

With traffic being listed as one of residents’ main concerns, Green candidate Ron Meldrum said he wants to see a planned reduction in the use of cars, better cycling highways and the introduction of trams.

Better transport infrastructures are also among Ms Davies’ pledges.

Other issues that parties say have come up include education funding and the NHS.

They are Mr Thornton’s priorities, while Ms Davies said she wants to secure more support for the NHS and Ms Payne said she would like to see an increase in funding to all stages of education.

Meanwhile, the need to do more on mental health issues

are among Mr Meldrum’s concerns.

  • JILL PAYNE

Labour

She has lived and worked in the town for the past 11 years. Ms Payne works full time as a cashier at one of the banks in Eastleigh. She previously lived in London where she campaigned for the Labour Party. It was after the 2015 general election that she decided to become involved locally. A supporter of Jeremy Corbyn and socialist policies, she said: “I would like to see large and rapid public investment into the provision of social housing throughout the constituency favouring where ever possible brown field sites and smaller developments based on the needs of the community rather than private profit. I would like to see an increase in funding to all stages of education.”

  • MALCOLM JONES

UKIP

He was born in Eastleigh, where he has spent his entire life.

Mr Jones, 51, works in property maintenance after having been a teacher for nine years.

He joined the UK Independence party in 2013 and ran the referendum campaign for Vote Leave in Eastleigh.

“I became involved in politics to give people a voice and inject some common sense in to our government,” he said.

When asked what he would do if he will be elected as Eastleigh MP, he said: “ I will fight mass housing development and fight to bring mortgage paying jobs back to our area, (so we can achieve a balance between Green Space, Farm Land, Housing and Jobs) whilst ensuring there is no backsliding on Brexit.”

  • RON MELDRUM

Green Party

He joined the Green Party in 2011. For the last 20 years he has been working as engineer and mental health practitioner. He has stood as a Green Party candidate in the Southampton local elections for the last five.

He said: “Eastleigh and Britain will significantly benefit from having a Green MP. I would like to see a planned reduction in the use of cars. Better cycling highways and the introduction of trams to replace the dirty diesel buses.”

He also said that he would like to have more affordable housing and address mental health issues.

“ I have a good understanding of what needs to be done to address the mental issues in the UK,” he added.

  • MIKE THORNTON

Liberal Democrats

He has lived in Bishopstoke with his family for more than two decades.

Mr Thornton has years of experience in business and finance and is still involved in financial services. He was a borough councillor between 2007 and 2015 when he run for the general election. Mr Thornton is now back in the political fold after having won the county election as representative for the Bishoptstoke and Fair Oak ward. He said: “ When elected in 2013 I determined that I would put my constituents first. I felt then, as I feel now, that all MPs’ first responsibility is to their constituents. If elected I will continue in the same vein.” He said he would like to increase funding for the NHS and schools.

  • MIMS DAVIES

Conservative

She has been the Eastleigh MP for the past two years. Ms Davies, studied Politics at university and worked in different fields including media, events and communications. She joined the Conservative Party in 2007 and was elected as MP in 2015. She said: “ I have loved being the MP for the Eastleigh Constituency over the past two years; it has been an immense privilege. I have thoroughly enjoyed all my work including as a member of the Parliamentary Group studying the harmful effects of cannabis on developing brains. After the election, I want to get back to working to secure this area better transport infrastructure, more support for the NHS, and to continue to lobby to protect our countryside and woodland.”