Name: Vince Cable

Party: Liberal Democrats

Constituency: Twickenham

Name one thing you will proactively change in the constituency if you are elected.

Well, there are many issues affecting us but one which is constantly raised across the constituency is the poor state of our local rail services and this is certainly something I want to address. We’re approaching the renewal of the South West Trains franchise and this will allow us to be really quite robust about demanding the improvements in services which will benefit residents across the constituency.

What has been your proudest achievement within the constituency in the last three years?

Since 2010, I’ve been Secretary of State for Business and have had a key role in guiding policies which have led to the economic recovery across the country and I’m particularly proud that these policies have had a positive effect in Twickenham. 3700 more people are employed than in 2010 and since 2010 there have been over 5,500 new business start ups. I'm also proud that local schools have received nearly £7m in pupil premium since 2010 benefiting some of the most disadvantaged children in our schools What sets you apart from your fellow prospective parliamentary candidates While my fellow candidates have many fine qualities I think I have a depth of experience which they struggle to match. I’ve been the MP for the constituency for 18 years and have helped at least 12,000 residents in that time; for the last five years I’ve been responsible for running a major department in government and have been instrumental in steering the economic recovery and before entering parliament I had experience in major industry including a spell as chief economist at Shell.

What has been the most difficult conversation you have had while canvassing?

Well, fortunately the vast majority of conversations have been very positive but I think the most frustrating conversation has explaining that the unfair First Past The Post electoral system means that the choice here is between me and the Conservative candidate meaning votes for Labour and other parties are largely wasted. Lib Dems want a better system but for now we’re stuck with the system we have so Labour voters really need to choose between me and the Conservatives.

Why should people in Twickenham vote for you?

I offer a strong local track record, having helped over 12,000 people in the constituency, combined with the experience of 18 years both as an MP and, more recently, as a member of the Cabinet. It’s also vital that as many Lib Dem MPs are returned as possible to prevent political ideological extremism threatening the economic recovery which we have all worked so hard to build