The Kilburn Times held an on-line hustings for the Brent Central candidates this evening. Shahrar Ali (Green), John Boyle (TUSC), Dawn Butler (Labour), Lauren Keith (Lib Dem), Alan Mendoza (Conservative) and Stephen Priestly (UKIP) took part.
Below you will find 12 responses to some of the questions. Can you match answers to the appropriate candidate?
1. As a representative of one of the
smaller political parties, I can state that I would do everything in my power
if elected as your MP in Brent Central to defend against further cuts, and to
protect vital services to all the community. I would campaign fiercely to
represent the needs of my constituents - in this way, I would hope to mitigate
against the wider effects of national forces, to protect those that I am
seeking to represent. I would campaign in the House of Commons for further
resources
In
response to: ‘Nationalise the big developers. Build housing and communities for
people rather than profit.’
2. I am inclined to agree with the above
statement. Development in itself should be encouraged, providing there is an
ethical dimension to it . I feel the NHS should also be protected from private
profit too - and while we are at it, the rail network should be re-nationalized
to make it more affordable for all!
3. Youth resources are absolutely vital
for young people, in terms of providing hope, structure, educational and
vocational opportunity, and I would be fighting to defend existing resources
and also campaign for much needed new resources!
In
response to: Black people in Brent are 2.6 x more likely to be stopped and
searched than white people. What will you do to end police discrimination?
4. This needs concerted joint-working a
training with the police: this statistic is totally unacceptable and must be
challenged. The police should not be allowed to arrest anyone, of any
ethnicity, unless they have clear grounds to do so!
5. Denying benefits to migrants as a
'wholesale strategy' is not a compassionate way to approach this matter. I
believe that our society should always adopt a compassionate approach, and to
take into account the fact that many migrants are fleeing desperate
circumstances. The United Kingdom has a very long tradition of tolerance and of
assisting people that are in difficult circumstances and it is important that
this continues. It is the unscrupulous people traffickers, that should be
tackled.
6. The UK has a longstanding tradition of
helping people in distress, and this must continue. Huge efforts need to be
made to tackle all those that seek to exploit migrants, e.g. people smugglers,
those that sexually exploit migrants, and also those that seek to enslave
migrants in very low paid work - all these things need to be addressed.
7. All institutions should have clear
policies to deal with racism in whichever form this appears
On
recall of MPs by the electorate:
8. Absolutely! This is
also our stated policy to make MPs more accountable. I am totally committed to
this measure. All other professions are bound by strict codes of practice and
MPs should be no different!
9. I feel that all the parties need to be
honest with the electorate on the issue of any cuts that they propose to make.
For nearly everyone that I have spoken to, the NHS appears to be one of the
highest priorities, as many are worried that community and hospital services
will seriously suffer should further cuts take place. Greater transparency is
needed by all parties on the NHS.
10. I feel the British Pub is a national
institution which needs to be robustly defended, as the pub is a place where so
many people meet: it is an important part of every community. I have
endorsed my support for the Campaign for Real Ale, and would be doing
everything in my power to support pubs, brewers and also the customers.
11. Education is absolutely crucial for
this economy. A diversity of educational opportunities is required, including
academic and vocational training courses. Funding needs to be increased to
develop education facilities, and teaching and university education needs to
attract the best possible candidates.
In
response to: Who is the politician, living or dead, you admire the most and
why? please do not say your own party leader.
12. I would have to say Mahatma Gandhi. He
was able to overcome so many obstacles for India to gain its independence and
self-governance, via his philosophy of 'non-violent non-cooperation' at great
personal cost to himself. His ideas have shaped great thinkers across the
globe!
Quiz answers HERE
Brent and Kilburn Times On-line hustings HERE
