General Election 2017: Richmond Park and Twickenham's leading candidates' views on the issues affecting the election

TWICKENHAM

Sir Vince Cable (Liberal Democrat)

The NHS:

“The NHS is very closely linked to social care and associated with the frail and elderly who are in hospital.

“The party feels very strongly about needing to inject funding into the NHS and provide the finance needed honestly.

“We think that by adding a penny to income tax to in raise the £6bn-a-year which is required to fund the NHS is reasonable and that people understand where we are coming from.

Education:

“Education is the number one issue which is raised on doorsteps.

“There are lots of young families living in Richmond and they are all very worried about the finance plunging and cuts.

“I think this is causing huge amounts of grief.

“There is particular anxiety about special needs children because this is an area which is very susceptible to cuts.

Brexit:

“The Lib Dems have a distinct view on Brexit and are highly critical about the extremes being shown by UKIP.

“People’s livelihoods tied up to the result of negotiations and lots of people are concerned about the loss of single trading.

“A lot of people’s futures are at stake especially in this area because there are a lot of people commuting in and out of central London.

Heathrow:

“I think the Tory’s have lost a lot of credibility by promising no expansion to Heathrow and then going back on their word and supporting it in their manifesto.

“I think it is a significant breach of the public’s faith

“I have always argued it is unnecessary and been against it but I suspect it won’t happen anyway because of the legal challenges and financial support required by the government.”

On what’s affecting people in Twickenham:

“I think everything we have just discussed is extremely important.

“I think the main priority is school funding issues and that we need to block the funding formula – it needs a different approach.

“I also think that support to district hospitals is required because they are in great distress.

“Another area which I am particularly focused on for the local area is environmental concerns. This is why the green party have pulled out to support me based on our common belief in the importance of the environment.”

Tania Mathias (Conservative)

NHS
"I have spoken in Parliament about integration of NHS and social care and long term sustainable increased funding. 
"I am therefore supportive of the manifesto that gives the NHS increased funding and continues to support the Forward plan. 
"The latter includes more specialist services coming to a patient’s home rather than the patient going to outpatient clinics." 
Schools
"Our schools’ budget is over-stretched and when I was MP I took the local school head teachers’ arguments directly to the Secretary of State, Justine Greening who then came to Twickenham herself. 
"I support the Government’s pledge to ensure no school loses out with the new funding formula and the increase in the education budget. 
"I have also called for special educational needs to come from a central budget rather than expect this to be taken from the local grant."
Brexit
"I am a Remain voter and most residents in Twickenham voted to Remain. 
"Nevertheless I was the first MP to bring local business leaders to Brexit Ministers to discuss their specific needs in the negotiations to come. 
"I have consistently voted for EU nationals’ right to remain unilaterally in our community. 
"I wish to make the best of Brexit for Twickenham and I have met with Kingston hospital staff who are EU nationals to assure them of my support." 
Air pollution and Heathrow
"I have challenged Prime Ministers and Secretaries of State for the Environment and Transport on NO2 and PM 2.5, and PM 10 levels in London. 
"I have also challenged Heathrow on the £799million proposed new car park for the proposed third runway that will undoubtedly produce more air pollution."
On what's affecting people in Twickenham
"The local train services in our area routinely struggle during the busiest times. 
"This is why our local rail services remain a priority for me going forward and if re-elected I will commit to continuing to work with the Transport Minister to ensure that the promises laid out in the new franchise agreement – Such as more frequent, faster and better trains – are stuck to. 
"Moreover I will continue to push for Crossrail 2 to be brought to our constituency vastly improving our transport links to central London and beyond.
"Our environment is a key local issue and I am committed to preserving our parks and open spaces, to cleaner air and to lower emissions. 
"This is why I will continue to fight Heathrow expansion at every stage of the process whilst working with the Government and the Mayor of London to demand progress on pollution and air quality. 
"I have had the privilege during my time as MP for Twickenham to meet with many parents, students, teachers and staff from our fantastic local schools. 
"If re-elected I will continue to work with Government and the Education Minister on the issue of school funding and if necessary will vote against any policy that sees our local schools lose out. 
"I will do this while continuing to work with local schools and colleges on child and adolescent mental health – an issue which continues to resonate with me personally through my work as a therapeutic counsellor."

RICHMOND PARK AND NORTH KINGSTON

Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat)

The NHS:

“I am currently at Kingston hospital and will be joined by Nick Clegg looking at the new dementia ward but yes the NHS we are very concerned about.

“We think that adding 1p to income tax to raise the funds required for the NHS is reasonable.

“We urgently need more funding

Education:

“This is a big issue for me personally and I speak out about this at parliament a lot.

“I was really pleased to be elected Shadow Secretary of State for Education because it gives me a real opportunity to speak out.

“Every parent is concerned about the significant cut in funding.

“It is terrible that these cuts will prevent children receiving the level of education they deserve.

“We need to invest an extra £7 billion to just keep the schools at the level they are at so no child suffers.

“I will continue to campaign passionately about this issue.”

Brexit:

“I made it no secret that I think we should have stayed in the EU and if it is an option will continue to campaign to do so.

“However in negotiations I want to see trade and our security status protected. We need to be able to continue to cooperate with other countries about crime and terrorism. We need to make sure we remain in the single market and make sure we are secure.”

Heathrow:

“We will continue to oppose Heathrow and I believe that by voting for the conservatives you are voting yes for the Heathrow expansion.

“Our party has the strongest policy on air pollution and we are looking into real tangible actions to minimise it.

“I think our manifesto goes so much further than any other on air pollutions.”

On what’s affecting people in Richmond Park and North Kingston:

“Everything we have discussed are very important to me.

“I think we need to address the treatment of mental health in the area because not only is it terrible for those who suffer and their ability to find accessible support in the area but it also has a terrible knock on effect on other services.

“I was talking to the police and they told how badly it effects them.

“We need to find funds for mental health – it will make a massive difference.

“I am also concerned about local housing. Families are really struggling in the area and it is so difficult to find affordable, like really affordable, housing in Richmond and Kingston.”

Zac Goldsmith (Conservative)

"This election is all about who we want to lead us through Brexit negotiations and over the next five years: Theresa May or Jeremy Corbyn.

"Just 11 days after we vote next week, the EU wants to start Brexit negotiations with Britain. So whoever is Prime Minister must be up to the job and ready to go. Because getting those negotiations right is central to everything we care about. If we get Brexit wrong, we get everything else wrong. From looking after our elderly to educating our children, to keeping our country safe - everything depends on getting Brexit right. And only Theresa May has a plan for Brexit and the ability to deliver.

"If Theresa May loses just six seats, Jeremy Corbyn will be Prime Minister next week, and what happens here will play a big part. No Conservative leader has ever become Prime Minister at a general election without a Conservative MP winning in Richmond Park & North Kingston.

"The thought of a hung parliament, with Jeremy Corbyn, propped up by the SNP and Lib Dems, is deeply worrying for the future of this country. Their infighting, squabbling and political point scoring, would mean nothing would ever get done. With Theresa May as Prime Minister, will we have a serious and effective team in place to make sure we get the best possible Brexit deal.

"If you vote for me, I will continue to stand up for jobs and keep our economy strong. I will continue to champion the environment, lead the fight against Heathrow expansion and will use my influence to secure a new Clean Air Act to keep our children healthy.

"I’ll use my relationship with Government to get fairer funding for our schools, more support for our elderly and will fight for measures to help our high streets and small businesses thrive."

Cate Tuitt (Labour)
NHS 
"I concur wholeheartedly with Labour's manifesto commitments, including those to guarantee and uphold standards of service in the NHS and to build a national social care service to work hand in hand with the NHS."
Schools 
"I don't support more Grammar schools. 
"I support more school places in Richmond but the Tories and Lib Dems are not providing the provision for parents. 
"I promise to oppose all the Tory cuts in school funding as the Richmond MP. 
Air pollution
"The air quality in Richmond is quite appalling. 
"If elected, I will tackle this by working with Sadiq Khan the Labour Mayor, and lobbying the responsible ministers on Air Quality. 
"We have broken EU laws on air pollution. I support the Ultra low emission zone.
"There should be far more cycling and river boat services, like in Venice, in Richmond, and electric car charging ports."
Brexit
"Like most Richmond Park residents, I supported Remain, and I campaigned with Labour In led by Alan Johnson. 
"The Tories are leading us towards a hard Brexit and this would threaten hard-won rights at work and environmental protection, currently guaranteed by European law. 
"A Labour government will focus on keeping the benefits of the Single Market and the Customs Union, which are vital to our jobs and prosperity. 
"A Labour government will also guarantee no change in legal status for all EU nationals currently living in the UK and naturally I support these aims."
On what's affecting people in Richmond
"The 3 most important issues for me are, not in any order of importance are;
"Open spaces being protected after Brexit, Environmental law on Richmond Park and our open spaces.
"Heathrow runway expansion and the flight path to protect local people from pollution and noise.
"The children of Richmond deserve the best schools and education and I strongly oppose any cuts by the London Tories to schools in Richmond.
"I also oppose free school meals being cut by the Tories so I will fight for the parents and teachers and pupils if they would like me to represent them in parliament."