Ten Questions From Tonbridge People to our Election Candidates: Watch this Space for their Replies..

By RachelMurphy | Friday, April 09, 2010, 10:22

Last month we asked YOU what you would like to ask our election candidates.

What will the candidates reply to the ten burning questions on the lips of Tonbridge People?

Based on the most popular questions posed by Tonbridge People, we've compiled a top ten list and we are writing to all the candidates today to put your questions to them.

The questions we have chosen to ask are as follows:

1. Can you guarantee a grammar school place close to home for every child who passes the 11 plus?

2. What will you do to improve our hospitals?

3. Will bin collections, library services and street cleaning be cut or improved?

4. What will you do to improve children's services in Tonbridge?

5. Will petrol prices continue to rise?

6. What will you do about the A21 widening scheme?

7. Will you improve the ecomony and boost trade on Tonbridge High Street?

8. Why is it worth voting for you?

9. What are your 3 big promises and will you keep them?

10. Will you make yourself available to the people of Tonbridge after you have been voted in – or will nobody recognise you?

Watch this space for responses from our five candidates.

We look forward to hearing from Sir John Stanley (Conservative), Steve Dawe (Green Party), David Waller (UK Independence Party), Daniel Griffiths (Labour) and Liz Simpson (Lib Dem).

Photo By Marco Bellucci at Flickr

Re-post Write a story

Comments

I have invited Lisa Rogers, who is standing for the English Democrats, to respond too. We look forward to hearing from you Lisa!

By RachelMurphy at 11:31 on 21/04/10
Report
I would like to hear what Liz Simpson thinks especially now the Lib Dems are doing so well .

By GinnyGenie at 19:46 on 19/04/10
Report
still a wasted vote , sorry

By DesBrow at 12:05 on 17/04/10
Report
I am glad RozzH1 raised that issue, and your answer is clear, thank you.

By 28Maz28 at 11:48 on 17/04/10
Report
Let me answer the question raised by RozzH1

I think the problem you are having is that an UKIP government will not be a centralised dictatorship asWestminster and Brussels are today. Under UKIP, Westminster and Brussels will not have the power to dictate education policy in Kent as that power will be devolved to a directly elected and accountable Kent County Education Board.
So to answer to your question, as a mere MP I will not be able to guarantee a Grammar School place because that will be a local, not a national issue.
What I would be able do is?
1) As a resident of Tonbridge and Malling, and a believer in Grammar Schools, I could lobby the Kent Education Board for more Grammar Schools.
2) Also a resident I could initiate, or sign, a referendum that demands Kent Education Board provide a Grammar School place for every child in Kent and under UKIP’s direct democracy policy, the result of that referendum will be binding on the Board.
3) As an MP and a representative of the people of Tonbridge and Malling, I could lobby the Kent Education Board, but I would have to lobby for whatever the people tell me they want.

I hope that makes sense, I know it is confusing but that’s because the whole balance of power will change under UKIP and it will be nothing like it is today. Centralised power in Westminster will be reduced to national issue only, local issues will decide locally.

By CllrWaller at 10:42 on 17/04/10
Report