HAYLING ISLAND GROUP - GENERAL ELECTION TOP 20 QUESTIONS

Day 1 – Answers to the first four questions:1. Without national security, we are unprotected from those who would do harm to our nation andits interests. Do you undertake to fight for spending on defence to be maintained at 2% of GDP, as anabsolute bare minimum? If not, how do you think we can deal with the multiple threats of Islamicfundamentalism, a re-awakening bear in Russia, and a Russian backed threat to the Falklands fromArgentina? Surely, we cannot rely entirely upon the US taxpayer for our national security?2. National issues aside, what specific local issues do you intend to concentrate on that will benefitthe people of Havant and Hayling?3. In the light of a recent report that, when imports are considered, UK CO2 emissions are actuallyrising: is it worth damaging the UK economy with environmental regulations and controls on CO2emissions, when the result is simply to export the emissions, and work, to countries such as China,where regulations are often much more lax?4. There is much talk about protecting the NHS from privatisation but, surely, the main NHS principleis that treatment is free at the point of use and irrespective of the means of the patient. Given thatnobody is seriously questioning the free treatment principle, do you believe that public sectorservice provision is inherently better and more efficient than private sector provision, or is there aplace for the private sector to provide some services within or on behalf of the NHS?

Alan MakConservative Party

1. Without national security, we are unprotected from those who would do harm to ournation and its interests. Do you undertake to fight for spending on defence to bemaintained at 2% of GDP, as an absolute bare minimum? If not, how do you think we candeal with the multiple threats of Islamic fundamentalism, a re-awakening bear in Russia,and a Russian backed threat to the Falklands from Argentina? Surely, we cannot relyentirely upon the US taxpayer for our national security?

NATO recommends that its members spend 2% of GDP on defence. We currently meet thattarget. We have a £34 billion defence budget, which is the fifth largest in the world, thesecond largest in NATO and the biggest in the EU. We certainly have the best Armed Forcesin the world.We will have a review of defence spending (and indeed all other types of spending) afterMay’s general election – spending reviews usually take place after elections. I very muchhope we can continue to meet the NATO target.In the meantime, because we fixing the economy, we are able to commit, in the nextparliament (2015-2020) to renewing our Trident nuclear deterrent and protect the size ofour regular Armed Forces; and invest £163bn over the next 10 years to providing ourArmed Forces with the latest equipment and technology, including 2 new aircraft carriers.

2. National issues aside, what specific local issues do you intend to concentrate on thatwill benefit the people of Havant and Hayling?

My 3 local priorities are:

Strong Economy: Hayling residents deserve a secure and prosperous future, and a stronglocal economy is key. I want to help deliver more jobs, rising living standards and inwardinvestment. As a shopkeeper’s son, I will back our small shops and businesses in areaslike Mengham, West Town and Eastoke, and encourage businesses to locate to placeslike Sparkes Marina which would be perfect for online-businesses or light industry. Weneed more all-year-round jobs to complement our successful, seasonal visitor economy.I will also support the continued success of our sailing, watersports and coastal tourismsector.

Successful Schools: Every young person on Hayling deserves the best start in life, andevery resident of all ages needs the skills to compete and succeed in an increasinglycompetitive economy. So, I will work with Colin Rainford and his staff at Hayling Collegeto boost attainment, and support our infant & junior schools Mengham and Mill Rythe,using my experience as a long-serving primary school governor. I will also encourage life-long learning, including promotion adult education courses at places like South Downsand Havant College.

Vibrant Communities: Hayling has a strong identity, excellent community spirit, anddiversity (from the tranquillity of Northney to the hustle and bustle of the Seafront andMengham). I want to protect and enhance this. Hayling also has a wide range ofcommunity groups, sports clubs and churches. Having met many of these groups, I amkeen to support their continued growth and success, for example, helping them winfunding or promote themselves locally. I will also support efforts to re-start the HaylingFerry, and promote cycling working with Cycle Hayling.

3. In the light of a recent report that, when imports are considered, UK CO2emissions are actually rising: is it worth damaging the UK economy withenvironmental regulations and controls on CO2 emissions, when the result issimply to export the emissions, and work, to countries such as China, whereregulations are often much more lax?

No we shouldn’t dampen our own economic growth or burden our business and industry withgreen taxes whilst other countries carry on polluting. We need to encourage a reduction incarbon emissions on a global, or at least regional, scale.

4. There is much talk about protecting the NHS from privatisation but, surely, the main NHSprinciple is that treatment is free at the point of use and irrespective of the means of thepatient. Given that nobody is seriously questioning the free treatment principle, do you believethat public sector service provision is inherently better and more efficient than private sectorprovision, or is there a place for the private sector to provide some services within or on behalfof the NHS?

The NHS should be free at the point of use, and care should be provided on the basisof need not ability to pay. Conservatives have increased NHS funding by £12.9 billionsince 2010 and we will protect and “ring-fence” NHS investment after May 2015 tosecure the NHS’ future. We will also ask surgeries to open at evenings and weekends.Keeping the NHS in public hands is the best way to continue the “public service ethos”of the NHS. There is a place for private sector involvement the NHS, for examplemedicines are made by private pharmaceutical companies, whilst Macmillan nurses,hospices and charities etc. are all non-public groups that work in and with the NHS.Dental and doctors’ practices are often arranged as private businesses (usuallypartnerships) which are paid by the NHS to see NHS patients (and also paid by privatepatients when they “go private”).

Tim DawesGreen Party

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1. Without national security, we are unprotected from those who would do harm to ournation and its interests. Do you undertake to fight for spending on defence to bemaintained at 2% of GDP, as an absolute bare minimum? If not, how do you think we candeal with the multiple threats of Islamic fundamentalism, a re-awakening bear in Russia,and a Russian backed threat to the Falklands from Argentina? Surely, we cannot relyentirely upon the US taxpayer for our national security?

No. We need to guarantee our security by a number of things, including a modern andflexible armed forces that is well-equipped and trained, But in general the kind of armedforces we need is changing. We should wait the results of the strategic defence review, butmy feeling is that as a proportion of overall income the defence budget may well be below2% of GDP and, given that enables us to spend more on other important public services likeeducation and the NHS, I am relaxed about that.

2. National issues aside, what specific local issues do you intend to concentrate on that will benefit the people of Havant and Hayling?

Let's talk specifically about Hayling. I want to see better public transport links –including a properly managed Hayling Ferry service and a bus service that runs laterinto the evenings. I also believe that both local residents and visitors would benefitconsiderably from more investment in cycling facilities, including a hard surfacenorth/south route across the island. Greens have long campaigned for a morecommunity centred NHS and whilst we recognise that blue-light emergency and otherspecialist treatment services are best concentrated at QA, I feel that Hayling needs alocal community NHS service that provides for minor injuries, walk-in treatment andout-patient services. Ideally this should be integrated with a GP practice. I amconcerned about the closure of local police stations and would prefer to see adedicated police service point on the island. I don't think the Library is the best placefor that. I am also mindful that the reduction in local police presence and patrols iscausing concern and will be discussing this issue with the Police Federationrepresentatives this week. On tourism, we would like to see a more imaginative andactive approach taken by Havant Council, building on and complementing the growingsuccess of local businesses and those involved in water sports locally. We'd also like tosee improved landing and storage facilities for local fishers. On conservation, moreattention paid to conserving the natural areas on the island, especially the wilderportions of our coastal areas. Hayling does not need any large supermarketdevelopment or any large scale housing developments. I would look sympatheticallyon limited number of new small scale housing developments within existing build upareas, but use my influence to support those opposing any encroachment on playing-fields or green field areas. There are some simple and cheap things that could bedone to encourage better greener energy use. One obvious one is the provision oftwo or three public charging places in HBC car parks for electric vehicles. This wouldalso encourage eco-tourism.

3. In the light of a recent report that, when imports are considered, UK CO2 emissions are actually rising: is itworth damaging the UK economy with environmental regulations and controls on CO2 emissions, when theresult is simply to export the emissions, and work, to countries such as China, where regulations are oftenmuch more lax?

The question is so deliberately loaded I hesitate to answer it, but simply put – unless we reduce our CO2emissions then Hayling, maximum height above sea level 5 metres, is doomed to sink beneath the waves. Ofcourse by exporting our manufacture we have made our figures look better, though they are going up now in anyevent, mainly due to the increase in coal burning, but that strategy is wrong in so many ways. Unless we get backto making things ourselves and growing more of our own food, then in long term Britain will loose out. By theway, China is actually making significant strides in renewable energy and already produces a bigger percentage ofits power from renewables sources than does Britain.

4. There is much talk about protecting the NHS from privatisation but, surely, the main NHS principle is thattreatment is free at the point of use and irrespective of the means of the patient. Given that nobody isseriously questioning the free treatment principle, do you believe that public sector service provision isinherently better and more efficient than private sector provision, or is there a place for the private sector toprovide some services within or on behalf of the NHS?

Oh, I disagree. People are questioning the free treatment principle, they may think its unpopular to talk about itbefore an election, but they are privately considering such options as treatment charging and health insuranceschemes. Certainly the leader and many inside UKIP have done so and the BMA has specifically warned aboutthe danger of it losing the free at point of service principle only this week. Dentistry, may I remind you, is notcharged under the NHS – a departure from the principle that led Bevan, the NHS's founding father, to resign fromthe Labour government of the day. It's not just privatisation that is wrong with the NHS; it's an over-reliance ontop down organisation and the ridiculous idea that market principles can be applied to a caring service. Peopledon't become doctors and nurses to be told they need to compete with their fellows in the hospital or NHS areadown the road. Removing the internal market nonsense from the NHS would save around £5billion every year.

Dr Graham Giles

Labour Party1. Without national security, we are unprotected from those who would do harm to ournation and its interests. Do you undertake to fight for spending on defence to bemaintained at 2% of GDP, as an absolute bare minimum? If not, how do you think we candeal with the multiple threats of Islamic fundamentalism, a re-awakening bear in Russia,and a Russian backed threat to the Falklands from Argentina? Surely, we cannot relyentirely upon the US taxpayer for our national security?

With the volatile world we find ourselves in - stronger conventional armed forces areessential, backed up by an independent nuclear deterrent. Britain still has a leadinginternational role to prevent military mass-destruction. 2% of GDP for all NATO members isthe minimum ‘insurance policy’ if diplomacy fails. The UK cannot afford to weaken itsdefences or its pre-emptive capacity in a world of known obligations and less predictablethreats.There’s no question of us changing our position on Trident – we support renewal andrenewed focus on multilateral disarmament. Labour’s priority is to see strong high-techArmed forces equipped for the challenges of the 21st Century with the skills and ability totackle emerging, interconnected threats. Our decision in office to commission the twomost advanced aircraft carriers in the world demonstrates more than anything else ourcommitment never to compromise Britain’s national security and ability to punch aboveour weight whatever, wherever and whenever the challenge.

2. National issues aside, what specific local issues do you intend to concentrate on that will benefit the people ofHavant and Hayling?

In Parliament I will champion affordable geothermal power for Havant and Hayling Island families andbusinesses through European green energy grants (as Labour MP Alan Whitehead did in Southampton). Thiszero-carbon sustainable energy resource is drawn from the hot aquifer located 1000 metres below the Islandand Havant. It is environmentally friendly, requiring no fracking, no injection of toxic chemicals and no re-drilling. The only discharge into the atmosphere is water vapour! Unlike wind and solar energy, geothermalheat and power is permanently available. Low cost green energy would be the single most attractive key toincoming investment and entrepreneurialism. It would boost business profits in line with local interests.Developing and improving off-road cycleways will benefit commuters and leisure riders as an alternative tothe main Havant road. I would help negotiate shared rights-of-way, focusing on providing safe routesespecially to island schools. We should target European Community sponsorship for an ambitious Havant andHayling cycle infrastructure as other cities and towns have. This would include a full upgrade of the HaylingBilly and construction of a leisure bridge. This sensible sustainable strategy anticipates multiple benefits toreduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, preserve flood-defences and boost green tourism. TheEuropean Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) is targeting 6 billion Euro for cycling between 2014-2020, includingconstruction of 50,000 km of new cycle paths. Cycle project grants can be obtained from various programmesand agencies. In principle, cycling initiatives are eligible for funding in the EU policy areas of transport, energy,environment, health, regional development and tourismAdequately funded smart Neighbourhood Policing is essential for our families, businesses and tourists.Implementation of modern technologies can help reduce costs and increase efficiencies but reducing numbersof qualified local police officers is dangerous. Another 5 years of arbitrary 20% cuts in policing isunsustainable, as is the failed expensive Crime Commissioner experiment. From my own experience leadingjustice reforms, 80% of the causes of crime related to alcohol and drugs can be significantly addressed by astrategic approach to supply and demand reduction of such substances, especially to our children andteenagers. I’m coordinating a team to develop a break-through inter-disciplinary approach called SPERA forpolice, probation and health services. As we know in practice it is possible to tip the balance in the directionof hope if we are tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime.People I meet want specific plans for how we can change things, like reducing student loans and solving thecost-of-living crisis. They want to work or start a business and lift their family to a higher standard of living. Asa social reformer and criminologist I have evidence-based experience and solutions to tackle causes ofhomelessness, hunger, debt and dependency. Local vulnerable people are hoping for a hand up not a hand-out. I have a track-record of reforming services in health, education and justice. Now I'm asking for the trustof voters to represent and work in Parliament to energize our local economy and empower ourneighbourhoods.

3. In the light of a recent report that, when imports are considered, UK CO2 emissions are actuallyrising: is it worth damaging the UK economy with environmental regulations and controls on CO2emissions, when the result is simply to export the emissions, and work, to countries such as China,where regulations are often much more lax?

If we delay reduction of carbon emissions and dependency on fossil-fuels until other countries dolikewise, or only reduce our carbon foot-print when economically advantageous, future generations willbe blighted by the effects of global warming. Currently, consumption habits in the rich world are threetimes the sustainable capacity of our planet. Unless we show serious commitment to environmentalissues now and legislate to make the necessary changes, developing countries like China will not sharethe urgency required to keep global warming within controllable limits. Moreover, if the UK continues toimplement the balanced energy policy, introduced when Ed Miliband was Minister for the Environment,our country will benefit economically and socially from green power generated within and around ourcoastline.

4. There is much talk about protecting the NHS from privatisation but, surely, the main NHS principle isthat treatment is free at the point of use and irrespective of the means of the patient. Given thatnobody is seriously questioning the free treatment principle, do you believe that public sector serviceprovision is inherently better and more efficient than private sector provision, or is there a place forthe private sector to provide some services within or on behalf of the NHS?

I will always fiercely defend our NHS from fragmentation and privatisation (and support proposals to joinup local hospital and home-care services which will particularly benefit disabled and elderly residents inHavant). A Labour government founded the NHS (against Tory opposition) over 60 years ago. Times havechanged since then, and it’s been necessary for the NHS to evolve. However, “free at the point of need”services must be retained without compromise or delay to patient diagnosis and treatment. Charging forservices would disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable in our society. There is noevidence that private sector provision is better or more efficient than public sector provision despite theideological and corporate hype. Indeed the recent Hinchinbrooke Hospital fiasco showed that the privatesector failed to provide core hospital services promptly, efficiently, safely or at reasonable cost. The NHSexists for patients not profits. There should be no more unaffordable broken promises and disastrousreorganisations as happened during the last 5 years under the coalition government. Labour has alwaysbeen trusted to invest in the health of all who live and work in Britain from GP to A&E, from cancersurvival to heart recovery, from patient safety to staff support. It’s never been more urgent to restoreand invest in these NHS values

Steve Sollitt

Liberal Democrats

1. Without national security, we are unprotected from those who would do harm to ournation and its interests. Do you undertake to fight for spending on defence to bemaintained at 2% of GDP, as an absolute bare minimum? If not, how do you think wecan deal with the multiple threats of Islamic fundamentalism, a re-awakening bear inRussia, and a Russian backed threat to the Falklands from Argentina? Surely, we cannotrely entirely upon the US taxpayer for our national security?

The Liberal Democrats believe that the current level of funding in defence is adequate andthat the way that this funding is spent needs to be re-evaluated. The Party wants to endour 24 hour nuclear patrols with a saving of £4 billion over the lifetime of the currentsystem. The Coalition government has spent more than 2% of GDP on defence over thisparliament. We are committed to conducting a Strategic Defence and Security reviewshortly after the General Election to ensure that we are making best use of the fundingavailable. Personally I do not believe that Trident is the way forward and that it would nothelp deal with the bigger security issues affecting the UK at this time

2. National issues aside, what specific local issues do you intend toconcentrate on that will benefit the people of Havant and Hayling?

There needs to be stronger guidance around housing and relatedinfrastructure. It’s the one issue that I hear about over and over again andknow from my experience over the last 20 years in local government isthe one area where people feel they have no real control. The LiberalDemocrats among others want to increase the building of properties asthere is an acute lack of housing but this has to be led by coherent policyand not just left the way it is. Without good infrastructure (including NHSprovision, schools and roads) housing expansion whilst answering theneed will not develop the community it becomes part of.

A good local MP also needs to live in and understand their communityand ensure their voice is heard in Parliament. That is why I havecommitted to move to Havant if elected.

My experience of working with a number of MPs and also in my presentrole in the NHS makes me very aware of the importance of residentsfeeling they have a representative who listens

3. In the light of a recent report that, when imports are considered, UK CO2 emissions areactually rising: is it worth damaging the UK economy with environmental regulations andcontrols on CO2 emissions, when the result is simply to export the emissions, and work, tocountries such as China, where regulations are often much more lax?

Liberal Democrats have campaigned for a long time over the issues around increase in CO2 andthe effect this has on our environment. They have been able to ensure that policies in theCoalition reflect this even though the Conservatives were not supportive and have alreadypromised to dismantle some of that good work if they win a majority I don’t believe that itsworth damaging our economy with environmental regulations but some lines need to be drawnin the sand Whilst the regulation may be weaker elsewhere it is our responsibility to show thatwe are willing to work to control and reduce CO2 and work with others to reduce there emissionstoo

4. There is much talk about protecting the NHS from privatisation but, surely, the main NHSprinciple is that treatment is free at the point of use and irrespective of the means of thepatient. Given that nobody is seriously questioning the free treatment principle, do you believethat public sector service provision is inherently better and more efficient than private sectorprovision, or is there a place for the private sector to provide some services within or on behalfof the NHS?

Working in the NHS I am aware that there are already some input by private providersinto the NHS and the health sector couldn’t function without some of this specialistsupport including the work done by specialist providers such as Macmillan nursing,something that I have had personal experience of. There are also some privateorganisation input which helps to cover some minor surgical work I am afraid thatnot all agree to the free treatment principle and that is regrettable and very naïve Weare committed to meet the requirement of funding as shown in the five year NHSEngland plan and have costed this policy unlike others. Personally I am passionateabout the work the NHS does and that it should remain in the public sector where it issafest. There is a need for private input but this should be to support its aims

John PerryUnited Kingdom

Independence Party

1. Without national security, we are unprotected from those who would do harm toour nation and its interests. Do you undertake to fight for spending on defence to bemaintained at 2% of GDP, as an absolute bare minimum? If not, how do you think wecan deal with the multiple threats of Islamic fundamentalism, a re-awakening bear inRussia, and a Russian backed threat to the Falklands from Argentina? Surely, we cannotrely entirely upon the US taxpayer for our national security?

UKIP as a party is fully behind spending 2% of GDP as a minimum on defence; thecurrent government has cut the number of destroyers and frigates to just 19 and wecurrently have no functional aircraft carriers that can carry aircraft. When we do getaircraft carriers with aircraft, they will have half the number of planes originallyexpected. We believe that Trident Replacement programme should continue and thatarmed forces should not pay tax while on service abroad. UKIP oppose an EU Army, wesupport NATO instead.

2. National issues aside, what specific local issues do you intend to concentrate on that will benefit the people ofHavant and Hayling?

Improve the standard of education and attainment of students in the Borough with a grammar school that wouldprovide intensive academic education opportunities for all. Ensure apprenticeships are available and improve theeconomy to provide a sustainable working population. Abolish tuition fees for Science, Technology, Engineering,Maths and Medical students to encourage excellence in those subjects and provide resource for the skilled jobvacancies that exist in Havant today. I would also halt green field housing development and focus on brown fieldsites for new houses.

3. In the light of a recent report that, when imports are considered, UK CO2 emissions are actually rising: is itworth damaging the UK economy with environmental regulations and controls on CO2 emissions, when the resultis simply to export the emissions, and work, to countries such as China, where regulations are often much morelax?

I generally believe in the green agenda, but residents are currently paying £264 extra per year in green taxes whichwill double over the next five years. The effect of green taxes is to export jobs to countries without green taxes(China, India etc..) where manufacturing there produces more pollution than had the goods been manufacturedhere. Green taxes have the effect of forcing more people into fuel poverty with many having to choose betweenheating or eating and using food banks. UKIP would therefore scrap all green taxes and significantly lower the cost ofenergy for everyone and so encourage more manufacturing and jobs back into the UK. I support solar panels onhouses, but not solar panels on farmland as in West Lane.

4. There is much talk about protecting the NHS from privatisation but, surely, the main NHS principle is thattreatment is free at the point of use and irrespective of the means of the patient. Given that nobody is seriouslyquestioning the free treatment principle, do you believe that public sector service provision is inherently betterand more efficient than private sector provision, or is there a place for the private sector to provide some serviceswithin or on behalf of the NHS?

UKIP is against privatisation of the NHS. Labour wrote £60 billion of PFI contracts requiring the taxpayer to pay thecompanies £300 billion back, a poor business deal for the taxpayer. The Conservatives have privatised NHS services,with companies receiving the contracts making large donations to the Conservative Party. UKIP believes that profitsshould be retained within the NHS and used to provide a better service. We would also halt free treatment to non-Britons, saving £2 billion a year and use £300 million of those savings to abolish hospital car parking charges, partfunded by an extra £3 billion contribution to the NHS.

That’s it for Day 1Another four questions

and answers tomorrow

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