Maldon candidates state their cases ahead of 2019 election

I am a professional musician and have lived in Maldon since 2007.

In 2008 I founded the Maldon Festival and the Choir of St Mary’s. I helped set up the Friends of the Moot Hall, serving as vice chair for a number of years, and volunteer in a local primary school.

I love Maldon and its people. Since living here, there have been three General Elections.

I am standing for the Liberal Democrats because I’m fed up with feeling that my vote doesn’t count.

Too many things seem never to change here and when they do, they’re often for the worse.

I want to provide voters with an alternative. Those who know me will know that I work hard and that I get things done.

We need to act now to deal with the climate emergency, and we need to stop the chaos of the past three years.

I love this country, but Boris’s ‘deal’ will lead to its break-up. He’s already put a border down the Irish Sea.

We need a grown-up debate about our relationship with the EU. Lib Dems have campaigned consistently for another referendum. It’s the only way I can see to achieve healing.

Janet Band (Green Party)

We are in the midst of a climate emergency.

This should be the top priority of our Government, yet politicians continue to ignore the climate catastrophe in favour of economic growth.

I believe that I am the only candidate for the Maldon constituency that recognises the severity of the climate crisis and will put it at the forefront of local politics.

This is why I should be the MP for the Maldon district.

To create real change, we must alter our economic policies significantly.

As a Green Party candidate, I support the global Green New Deal which seeks to put a stop to environmental exploitation and rekindle hope by providing employment opportunities in home insulation and investing in local ventures like renewable electricity, eco-friendly public transport and the cultivation of green spaces.

I am a defender of democracy and believe that we need to have a People’s Vote.

We now know more about the details of leaving the EU, and young people who were unable to vote in the referendum should unquestionably be allowed to have their say on their future.

If the environment, Brexit and local opportunities are important to you, vote for me to be your Maldon district MP.

Stephen Capper (Labour)

It’s time for change, nationally and locally.

Rather than the politics of division that has created the haves and have-nots, the tax breaks and the food banks, the leavers and remainers, we should be working together, promoting unity in our towns and villages, creating a society where everyone can prosper and the vulnerable are properly cared for and protected.

We can make change happen. In education I witness schools struggling from years of cuts having a huge impact on children, staff and parents.

We all know that our NHS is in crisis with staff at breaking point – that costs lives. Climate change is already hitting Britain and devastating communities. It is an international emergency.

We need to get Brexit done but not at any cost. The price the Conservatives are asking for power is too high. The rich won’t suffer but the rest of us will pay for a poor deal or no deal, for decades.

We need change now. Many people I speak to in the constituency say they feel powerless. You are not powerless, your vote counts – vote Labour, vote Capper on December 12 and make change happen.

John Whittingdale (Conservative)

It is a privilege to serve as Maldon’s MP. I live in the town and have represented the constituency in Parliament since 1992.

If re-elected, I will continue to hold regular surgeries and do my best to help any constituent who contacts me.

This is the third election in five years but it is necessary as Parliament has been gridlocked ever since the last.

In 2017, over 60 per cent of residents of the Maldon district voted for Britain to leave the EU and it is essential that we now get Brexit done.

I support Boris Johnson’s deal which means that we can leave by the end of January.

This will allow us to concentrate on other priorities.

More housing requires improved infrastructure.

I support plans to recruit more police officers which will bring Essex Police to record strength, to boost our local NHS with more nurses and doctors and a new Maldon Health Hub, and for brand new trains on both the main line and Southminster lines.

I also will work with Essex and Maldon councils on plans for a new power station at Bradwell, which will provide a huge boost to our local economy while also playing a vital part in combatting climate change.