VOTE 2010: Littlehampton candidates present their views

Each candidate has presented their views to help Gazette readers decide which way they want to vote.

Readers can follow Arun's candidates online here.

Melissa Briggs – CARLEX Independents

I AM standing as a candidate for CARLEX, the Campaign Against Retirement Leasehold Exploitation, which I co-founded to highlight numerous issues where management companies exploit their position to make unreasonable charges to leaseholders in retirement and non-retirement developments.

CARLEX is campaigning to raise national awareness of these issues, with the objective of achieving reform and encouraging the introduction of regulatory powers in the retirement sector.

This sector has only ever been self-regulated, which is proving to be extremely unsatisfactory for many thousands of residents.

In their policies, manifestos and plans for the future, none of the main parties seems to have much in the way of real ideas on how to tackle the problems effectively within the leasehold industry.

These especially affect those who are retired and on fixed incomes.

It is time these issues were faced head-on, and dealt with.

CARLEX and I will keep campaigning until this happens.

Douglas Denny – United Kingdom Independence Party

ARUN district is being swamped by government-imposed over-development of housing on greenfield sites, without the people already living here being consulted.

If elected, I would press for more jobs, services and infrastructure, including doctors, dentists, schools and better roads to serve our communities of Littlehampton and Bognor Regis, financed by returning the 45m a day currently given to the EU.

The proposed Ford Eco-Town was defeated mainly because of the power of the people protesting at this threat, and it is this grassroots democracy which UKIP supports at every level, including a pledge to introduce referendums on local and national issues.

Commercial fishing and agriculture, particularly livestock farming, have been decimated by unelected EU officials and their regulations of the Common Agricultural Policy, which UKIP would remove.

The party would introduce directly-elected county boards to oversee education, health and the police, leading to increased accountability and reduced bureaucracy.

Nick Gibb – Conservative

SINCE 1997, I have tried to help local people get a fair deal and to represent the interests of this constituency in Parliament.

I am asking for your support once again.

I believe a Conservative government will bring real change to this country.

We have to get the economy growing again.

Conservatives will take immediate action to tackle the deficit but won't threaten jobs by going ahead with Labour's national insurance increase.

We will protect the National Health Service and I am

continuing to campaign for the rebuilding of Littlehampton Hospital.

Conservatives recognise that we have to do more to help the elderly – particularly the most vulnerable.

We will keep the winter fuel allowance, pension credit, free television licences and free bus passes and we'll re-link increases in the basic state pension to earnings.

Under Labour, immigration has risen too fast.

The Conservative will cap the numbers coming in each year.

Michael Jones – Labour

LITTLEHAMPTON town centre and its future is one of the biggest issues facing the next MP.

The priority must be to strengthen the town centre.

Clearly the work on regeneration by Arun District Council did not protect the town from the worst effects of the recession.

Sure Start benefits many Littlehampton families. It must continue.

The Conservatives say they'll cut funding by one-fifth and restrict who can use it.

Littlehampton Harbour is a source of pride for residents. I'll challenge the lack of investment.

I know Littlehampton's biggest priority is to rebuild Littlehampton Hospital.

I am proud Labour's Littlehampton councillors led the campaign, collecting thousands of signatures.

I'll continue to press to get building started.

Labour has achieved so much for the NHS – more doctors, more nurses and waiting lists are at the lowest levels ever.

The Conservatives, including Nick Gibb, consistently voted against all increases in funding by Labour.

Simon McDougall – Liberal Democrat

I HAVE lived in this area throughout my life and went to school locally. My daughter attends a local primary school.

Our key messages are:

n fair taxes that put money in your pocket – no tax on the first 10,000 earned, so cutting most tax bills by 700;

a fair chance for every child – smaller class sizes, more cash for schools and getting rid of university fees;

a fair future – creating jobs by making Britain greener and investing in public transport, renewable energy and energy-efficient homes;

a fair deal from politicians – making politicians accountable to electors, giving you the right to sack corrupt MPs.

People want real change and the Liberal Democrats offer that.

It does not need to be the same old Con/Lab government we have had for the past 65 years – the Liberal Democrats can win in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.

Andrew Moffat – British National Party

I AM the only candidate who will withdraw our troops from Afghanistan – where Britain has no strategic interests – leave the EU, restore Christian values in schools, hold a referendum on the death penalty for child killers and multiple murderers, halt immigration and deport the illegals and bogus asylum seekers.

Eastern European immigration has a detrimental impact on the availability of jobs and housing.

Our Tory MP never consulted us.

Our countryside is being concreted over and congestion worsens because 500,000 immigrants arrive each year in Britain.

The local fishing industry is in terminal decline because of EU legislation.

Multi-culturalism has been imposed without our consent. England is being extinguished.

Within two generations we shall become a minority in our own ancestral homeland.

Enough is enough! Vote BNP: then they will listen to us!

If elected, I shall donate 50 per cent of my parliamentary salary to local good causes.

Keep an eye on this website for results in the early hours of Friday, May 7.

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