GE2019: North East and North Yorkshire candidate Q&A round-up

Scarborough & Whitby

Lee Derrick (Yorkshire Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

Education – A serious underfunding of all our schools within an education system that now teaches for tests rather than teaches subjects.

Connectivity - road, rail and digital. Our main roads are poor, rail network is worse and digital connectivity in the region feels as though we are in the 20th century.

Reasonably paid, contracted work and employment opportunities are on the decline.

We need to get our fair share of budget funding from Government. It needs to be managed locally so that we can start offer opportunity, which equals that in the rest of the country.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Leave! This borough voted heavily to leave the EU and we have to do exactly that. We are treading on thin ice if we choose to stop respecting the results of our elections. The Government that is voted in on the 12th December has to deliver Brexit and has to start allocating Yorkshire its fair share of budgets so that we can make sure that this area thrives and creates it’s own opportunities and positive outcomes in any post Brexit scenario.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Maybe, but lets be honest. When we look at our public services, we spend a lot of money and waste a lot of money. We need an investigation into reducing the levels of bureaucracy (especially in the NHS) Despite the lack of funding and resources we also have to acknowledge that there are flaws within our system. Begin to acknowledge them and we start to travel down the road to more effective, efficient and in some areas self-sustaining public services that in the short to medium term may not need extra taxes to fund them.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Cut business rate taxes and start an investigation into the whole antiquated system and seek to reduce the disparity between the high street and online retailers. Within our constituency I would try and lead a collaboration of local authorities, local people and stakeholders. There is no doubt collective action and decision making is needed to put together a plan that isn’t just a one off idea but becomes a culture that needs to be adopted and constantly cultivated. Change is constant and rapid at the moment. The current problem is that the reaction to change has been slow and disjointed.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

It needs to be more than an empty slogan and the focus needs to be pulled away from Manchester. Yorkshire could be an even bigger driving force, it just needs genuine political endorsement and the dedication to make it happen.

Skipton & Ripon

Andrew Murday (Liberal Democrat)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

1. Transport: Introduce a regional transport authority, similar to Transport for London, to improve local, rural, bus services.

2. Healthcare and social care provision, particularly mental health: Protect and improve our health and social care service. Our manifesto plans reforms of mental health services, particularly those provided for young people.

3. Housing: Reflect locally the national target of 100,000 new homes for social rent every year amid a raft of measures to help people find housing where they want to live and work.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Remain: The EU has provided political stability in Western Europe since the end of WW2. This has been built on economic cooperation together with scientific, security and cultural exchanges and delimitation of borders. The EU is in need of reform, particularly the Common Agricultural Policy which we can direct as a leading member. How can we remain in the EU? The most likely route is through a second referendum, in which the true facts of the alternatives of remain and leave are laid bare to the electorate. If we leave we face years of continuing uncertainty as negotiations drag on.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Yes: Our public services have suffered drastically through the years of austerity. The most dependent in our society have been those to suffer the most. Funding cuts to social care, the National Health Service, youth services, the police and more have drastically limited these services. The Lib Dems propose a rise of 1p in the pound in income tax, while at the same time demanding that government makes taxation fair so that those that can afford to pay more, especially corporations, do so. The tax system needs widespread reform to be justified.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

In the Skipton and Ripon constituency some high streets are flourishing and others not. Each of our towns have a unique layout. No single solution fits all but successful high streets attract tourists and offer a unique shopping experience. Many people use the internet to shop for food, books, etc. instead of a trip to town. So town centres must provide entertainment and leisure activities as well as local shops. Small businesses, of whatever nature, need support. Liberal Democrats will replace business rates with a commercial landowner levy based on the land value of commercial sites paid by land owners.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

To work the Northern Powerhouse needs infrastructure and targeted financial support for innovation and cooperation. The infrastructure involves transport systems, including HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, together with up-to-date internet connectivity. Financial support should be directed at enhancing links between research institutions and industry. We also need to provide education and training within the region so that the workforce is able to adapt to the ever increasing rate of change in our industries and enterprises. Devolution of powers to the regions and providing adequate government finance will enable people who understand their locality to better direct government policy.

Julian Smith (Conservative)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

To support the local economy, I have campaigned to maintain access to cash in our villages, opposing bank closures and supporting Post Office banking services.

To drive forward transport infrastructure, I have been working alongside North Yorkshire County Council to secure the funding needed to reroute the A59 at Kex Gill, essential for providing a solution to the problem of landslips. To drive forward digital connectivity, the Party is committing an additional £5 billion to achieve full fibre and gigabit-capable broadband to every home and business across the UK by 2025.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

A vote for the Conservatives at this election is a vote to Get Brexit Done with the new deal that the Prime Minister has already agreed with the EU. Businesses and families need certainty to plan for the future, and this deal provides that certainty, while respecting the result of the referendum. As soon as we have left the EU, a Conservative Government will get on with implementing an exciting domestic agenda: creating more GP appointments, investing money in schools, putting more police on the streets, improving local high streets and bus services and keeping our economy strong.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

A strong economy is the best way to ensure outstanding public services which deliver for people. The Conservatives are committed to encouraging a stronger and more dynamic economy, and boosting the small and large businesses that create the wealth of the nation. This is how the Conservative Government will be able to deliver the NHS Long Term Plan, giving the NHS the biggest cash boost in its history.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

To ensure our high streets thrive, we are committing to a fundamental review of business rates to reduce the burden of tax on businesses, and as a first step, we will further reduce business rates for small retail businesses.

On a personal level, I work closely with local high streets across the constituency, including Skipton, Ripon and Pateley Bridge. The strength of our local commitment to dynamic high streets can be seen in the success of Pateley Bridge, which has been crowned Britain’s Best Village High Street and recently won Britain in Bloom.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The Conservatives remain committed to the Northern Powerhouse. We will give towns, cities and communities of all sizes across the UK real powers and real investment to unleash their full potential. Our ambition is for full devolution across England, and, as part of our infrastructure revolution, we will invest in Northern Powerhouse Rail to boost transport links across the North, starting with the Leeds-Manchester train link.

York Central

Andrew Dunn (Social Democrat)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

1. The UK’s population has increased by five million in the last 10 years; the SDP’s firmer but fairer, merit-based immigration system would reduce net immigration to the UK. This would reduce the traffic congestion and housing availability problems York now faces.

2. In order to protect the quality of life in the York area and help protect the environment, we would halt the planned development on green sites such as Askham Bog.

3. The centre of York is vulnerable to flooding, and the SDP would ensure we invested properly in flood protection

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Democracy is central to the SDP, and we believe politicians must respect the outcome of the Referendum by delivering Brexit. UK citizens usually see themselves as British not European, and our nation was a net contributor the EU; the UK will flourish after getting back its political powers and the Billions we gave each year to the EU that it spent on other EU countries. For example, Boris Johnson has had to promise £2 Billion for filling potholes in our roads, yet the UK taxpayer has been subsidising the building of motorways in Bulgaria for the last decade!

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

The SDP believes we need a balance between helping the economy and tackling social problems, so we support the recent decision to not reduce Corporation Tax. The SDP supports the NHS 100%. NHS funding increased impressively in the early 2000s, but under the Conservatives it has fallen back; waiting lists are at a high and important medical needs are going unmet. Corbyn’s Labour believes strongly in the NHS, but plunging the country into debt by spending too heavily on other things is irresponsible. The SDP wants sensible economic policies that generate enough revenue to fund public services.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Shopping is vitally important to York’s economy, and many people from other parts of the region enjoy visiting the city. York has managed to buck national trends in some ways – for example, it's one of the few UK cities that has not witnessed a fall in its number of pubs. We need to support the retail industry by keeping business rates low. We need to support the tourist industry by doing all we can to maintain York’s reputation by tackling crime, reducing congestion, eradicating street homelessness and, where necessary, protecting buildings from redevelopment.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The Conservatives told us their HS2 rail project would transform the fortunes of the North of England’s economy. Sadly, the benefits HS2 will deliver to the North, and to the country as a whole, are tiny compared to its staggeringly high cost. The SDP would cancel HS2 and invest in other projects to benefit infrastructure, including rail projects. Yorkshire doesn’t get enough money from central government – for example, education funding per pupil is significantly lower than in other regions, so we need better funding from central government to aid our region’s social and economic wellbeing and development.

Tom Franklin (Green)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

Flooding. York has suffered many floods, and they will get worse because of climate change. York needs flood defences which need to be done sensitively, along with changes upstream to slow the flow.

Pollution. York is one of the most polluted Cities. We need to cut car use by improving public transport, improving facilities for walking and cycling and reducing the need for travel by ensuring services are provided locally.

Austerity. Cuts to health, education and welfare are leaving people dependent on food banks, and making people homeless. Universal Basic Income and restoring funding for public services will address this.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

People’s vote while supporting remain. The previous referendum was riddled with fraud and didn’t specify the type of “Brexit” wanted, so we could not know what we were voting for. Now we know what the deal is we can have an informed vote on what to do. Brexit will be immensely harmful to us, and York will be one of the worst affected places in the UK. There is no deal which can be as good as the one we have, and we will be immensely vulnerable to the demands of the US for lowered health and environmental standards as well as even more privatisation of the NHS

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?]

Additional funding is required for improved services. The issue is who should pay for them. Currently, tax is grossly unfair, and We will redesign the way property and land are taxed, shifting responsibility away from renters and business tenants and instead towards wealthy landowners. We will merge Employees National Insurance, Capital Gains Tax, Income Tax, Dividend Tax and Inheritance Tax into a single tax so that everyone is taxed fairly. This simplified tax system will bring in £20 billion from those most able to pay. As, at the moment people who earn pay higher taxes than those who live off investments.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

We propose the replacing business rates with a Land Value Tax payable by the owner rather than the tenant. This would make the taxes payable by online and bricks and mortar companies much fairer. We would encourage independent stores while allowing the upper levels of shops to be converted to housing. In York City Centre increasing pedestrianisation would make the centre a much more enjoyable place to be, and would improve footfall. With local shopping areas reducing the dominance of the car will encourage more people to shop there. Improved bus service would make it easier for people to access them.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The current Northern Powerhouse is a sick joke with minimal resources and no achievements. We would support regional government, with Yorkshire Assembly (and similar bodies in other parts if they want), democratically accountable to the people of Yorkshire. This needs to be properly resourced, and to work with local councils. It would give a real voice to Yorkshire (as they Mayor of London has done there) and allow regional planning to be properly resourced. This would be part of our rebalancing of the economy to support all the regions of the UK.

Nicholas Szkiler (Brexit Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

On the NHS the Brexit Party plans to abolish all politically imposed hospital targets which distort clinical priorities. Re-open the nursing and midwifery professions to recruitment without the degree requirement, alongside a new nursing qualification in social care. Introduce 24-hour GP surgeries to relieve the strain in A&E departments. With an ageing population and increasing demand we may need to contribute more to our NHS but first we need to reform some aspects of how it is run and improve its efficiency. Central Government funding has already been announced for improving part of the A64 trunk road and A1237 northern ring road but much more is needed. The Brexit Party propose investing at least £50bn in local road and rail schemes in our development-starved regions.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Our stance on Brexit is clear, Boris Johnson’s ‘deal’ is not Brexit. We need a clean break from the EU institutions: A Clean-Break Brexit can also shape the future of our economy and society. It will give us the freedom to shape our future by taking immediate control of our own laws, borders, money, fishing and defence.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

On the economy we propose zero% corporation tax on the first £10,000 of business profits. This will particularly help small businesses. We also propose reducing business rates to zero for High Street retailers and leisure operators – a great benefit to York and funded via a small online sales tax.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

N/A

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The Northern Powerhouse needs improved road and rail infrastructure, greater broadband connectivity, more investment in skills and training but most importantly it needs a comprehensive vision to use our proven technological and scientific innovation in the North to create solutions for our greatest challenges like Climate Change, sustainable transport and energy initiatives. These will drive productivity and increase the region’s future economic growth.

York Outer

Keith Aspden (Liberal Democrat)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

Every day as Leader of the Council, I see how the communities and villages of York have been ignored by this Government. Whether it be for improved public transport infrastructure, Yorkshire devolution, or investment in schools. It is time that the residents of York Outer had an MP willing to fight for them on the national stage. As the Liberal Democrat Candidate for York Outer, I feel it is incredibly important that locally, we work to tackle the climate emergency, increase support to our schools and invest in our regions transport infrastructure. Having already declared a Climate Emergency in York, I will continue to work with the Council, local businesses and lobby the Government to ensure we deliver more renewable energy sources, cut carbon emissions, enhance our bio-diversity and ultimately, protect our planet for future generations. I will also continue my on-going campaign to secure a fair deal for York. It is no secret that York’s schools are some of the worst funded in the country. I qualified as a secondary school teacher in 2004 and many former colleagues continue to tell me the devastating impact in schools of funding reductions. This is a disgrace and in order to ensure a better start for our young people, I will continue to campaign for world class education and support in York. Similarly, investment in our region’s transport infrastructure pales into insignificance when compared to the South. I will continue to fight to secure the investment York deserves, in order to progress schemes such as dualling the Outer Ring Road, increase capacity on the East Coast Mainline and transform our regions rail network.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

As the Liberal Democrat and Unite to Remain Candidate for York Outer, I will lead the campaign for Remain here in York, as there is no form of Brexit which is better than our current deal – remaining in the EU. Boris Johnson and his divisive Conservative Government have damaged our democracy by trying to force through Brexit at any cost. It is inconceivable to think that a Government would pursue a policy that would be so damaging to our economy and country, especially whilst many of our public services are starved of investment. With a stop to Brexit, we can begin to really address the issues that matter to the people of York Outer, such as securing much needed investment in our public services.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

The Liberal Democrats want to be clear and upfront with people; to help address the crisis in our adult social care and healthcare system, we must increase investment immediately to these services. In the short term, the Liberal Democrats would put a penny on income tax to meet immediate priorities in social care, reverse cuts to public health, and invest in mental health. A Liberal Democrat Government would also create a cross-party commission to develop a sustainable long-term plan for integrating and funding a holistic healthcare service fit to support everyone in our society.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

The Liberal Democrats would to scrap the outdated business rates system and replace them with a commercial landowner levy, in order to "breathe new life" into our high streets and relieve pressure on small businesses. The commercial landowner levy would be based on the value of the land only. By taxing landowners rather than businesses, half a million small businesses across the country would be spared the burden of property taxation. It is estimated that the proposals, if enacted, would cut taxes for businesses by 5% in York.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

Building better infrastructure in the North is critical to achieving a ‘Northern Powerhouse’ and in particular, it is crucial to York’s future development. Residents across the North continue to face a number of challenges as a direct consequence of delays in infrastructure improvements, from delayed rail projects, to abandoned highways schemes. That is why the Government must invest in Northern infrastructure projects, such as Northern Powerhouse Rail and dualling the Outer Ring Road, to increase capacity in our transport network and ultimately, transform our region

Scott Robert Marmion (Independent)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

1. Housing: The city of York is becoming too big which brings lots of knock on effects such as increased congestion, shortage of schools and hospitals etc. To address this I would stop any further expansion into the Green Belt. If the government wants more houses then it should build new towns in open areas so they can be designed with proper town planning from a blank page built to be sustainable. Property developers have already targetted popular local green areas such as Askham Bog and these opportunistic ventures need to be resisted.

2. Transport: The local roads are a total disgrace, many are in a poor state of repair and others are not built to provide sufficient capacity. I would campaign for more investment to be diverted into getting routes such as the A1237 and A64 properly dualled and crucially grade separated with slip roads and underpasses instead of roundabouts. Other roads also need to be opened up to provide more direct routes instead of the councils current policy of closing them off to traffic and forcing motorists to funnel onto other routes.

3. Law and Order: This is something which has been breaking down both locally and nationally. The problem is police are now becoming online advertisers for the politicians and not having enough manpower on the ground. My solution to this would be to abolish the office of police and crime commissioner, keep the police free from other political interference and have them directed to get officers out from their desks trawling the internet for name callers and instead get them put onto the streets and provide a visible presence to prevent crime in the first place.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Leave, with a good deal that does not risk breaking up the United Kingdom if possible, if not then no deal. Either way this mush happen before February as to do otherwise would be a potentially fatal assault on democracy itself. The arguments of the issue were all produced before the referendum and now the result must be enacted. Once it is done there needs to be serious constitutional reform to prevent the anarchy of the past 3 years from ever being allowed to happen again. My first proposal for this would be to have a directly elected Prime Minister with independent powers of government outside Parliament.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

More money is always going to be needed for the NHS, however raising even more through taxation is not the best way to go about it as increasing taxation can often lead to a reduction in government revenue as the rest of the economy contracts. Instead savings need to be made in other areas so priorities like this can be properly funded. Cutting red tape, ending political expansion through things like devolution and projects like HS2 should all be scrapped to fund the things that really matter.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

First local authorities need to take some of the blame for this problem by over charging for business rates and doing everything to discourage visitors such as expensive parking charges. It does however reflect a reality that the state cannot control which is that people are now preferring online and outside retail parks for shopping and so the high street of York needs to become more innovative and look to provide more shops and attractions for tourism and go with the flow of changing times.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The same level of attention, funding and determination as the projects that kept being launched inside the M25. In particular there needs to be proper transport access and support for businesses through government policy, without that businesses won’t be attracted here. I would not support any devolution however through this project as all that does is create another class of politicians and the accompanying civil servants who end up taking a huge slice of the project funding for themselves and leave the electorate even more confused about which level of authority is to blame when things go wrong.

Tyne & Wear

Blaydon

Vicky Anderson (Liberal Democrat)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

Blaydon like the rest of the North East has long been let down, and as their MP I would demand better. I would make the case for better local investment to promote and support small businesses. I would stand up for better and sustainable funding to the NHS; making the case for mental health and physical health to be given the same urgency. I would argue to reverse cuts and better fund our local schools, making sure the future generations of Blaydon have the skills to get on in life.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

We are better as part of the EU, for peace and stability but also for the rights of all EU citizens to live and love across borders. In the North East we would be economically stronger if we remained; we receive EU funding for our universities, for projects like the Sage and the Angel of the North, as well as have our highest percentage of exports to the EU. We have wasted 3 years and millions of pounds that could be better spent on our public services, so I am fully behind stopping Brexit and getting behind any remain option.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

The NHS is in crisis – we hear this in the news almost every day. We need to be realistic about what is needed to make the NHS sustainable long term and to do this more funding would be needed. The Liberal Democrat policy of 1p on the pound on income tax would raise and earmark much-needed funds just for health and social care. The NHS is there for us all, bookending our lives and looking after us throughout. We need to start to futureproof it for our children and their children.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

At a time where big names on the high street are struggling or disappearing, it is more important than ever that we take a different approach with helping smaller businesses and entrepreneurs thrive. I would help push for a change in business rates to promote small business, making it easier for start-ups, independent shops and social enterprises to be able to afford and sustain premises as well as expanding the Future High Streets Fund. Our high streets could be bustling with local businesses and projects that could really boost the local economy.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

Focus for the Northern Powerhouse has been on Manchester and Leeds but also on how quickly to get to London and other big cities. Our region is filled with innovation, ideas and ingenuity; our focus should be on building on the talent we have and attracting more of it. Long term investment in local and national transport infrastructure is needed; but it isn’t enough to just build this and expect businesses to pop up. We need more devolved powers in the region; as well as investment in jobs, industry and start-up businesses to futureproof employment for generations to come.

Diane Cadman (Green Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

The climate emergency: the Green Party would devolve funding for climate emergency plans from central government to local councils so that the people of Blaydon constituency can begin to tackle climate emergency issues where we live through consultation with local people. The Green Party believes that the high level of local investment required will pay off as the benefits become evident.

Housing: My view is that a major part of bringing down our carbon footprint and improving the lives of local people requires a review of the local approach to planning, building and maintaining homes. All new housing, both social and private should be built of sustainable materials to the highest standard of energy efficiency while preserving and managing the considerable green belt that Blaydon enjoys. Retrofitting homes with energy efficient heating and insulation is also an essential part of the Green Party programme to reduce carbon emissions, end fuel poverty and create much needed skilled employment.

Health; Blaydon constituency is falling behind in terms of access to services. We are fortunate to have the Walk In centre in Blaydon that works well to avoid patients attending hospital if it is used for minor injuries in the way it was designed but the reduction in the number of GPs and surgeries resulting pressure on routine appointments is forcing people to use second tier services instead of primary care. Accessing health service locations in Gateshead would be easier for elderly, disabled patients and parents with young children if public transport were less fragmented but the issue of pressure on services remains to be addressed. The west of Gateshead is semi rural and requires a different model of health care delivery from the town to help reach the whole of the constituency.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

I believe that our relationship with the European Union, while not perfect has succeeded in maintaining strong peaceful relations since WW11, supported high standards of rights for workers and food and farming and created vital academic collaborations that have resulted in many valuable developments in health and technology;these a few amongst many benefits. Since uncertainty about our future has continued the benefits of EU membership are already being undermined. It would be tempting to give in to fatigue and anxiety and seek a speedy conclusion but I agree with the Green Party view that this will not be wise as there are many complex negotiations still to come. While we must respect the leave vote and not seek to revoke Article 50 we must remain strong in the face of a poor deal which will further damage our communities and the NE has been shown to be a vulnerable part of the country if we say yes to a bad deal or no deal at all. Now we know so much more about the implications and complications of leaving the EU a peoples` vote on the deal parliament agrees with remain as one of the options would settle the question for me.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

High earners should pay more tax, but the Green Party`s manifesto costings do not require people on lower incomes to pay more. There are tax benefits currently being enjoyed by industries that invest in fossil fuels that mist be stopped, for example aviation pays no tax on fuel at all. Funding to meet the cost of the climate emergency over the next 10 years will be met by borrowing, which is normal method of government funding especially during a period of low interest. Also most important the Green Party advocate a universal basic income. There are so many ways in which this could benefit working people for example taking career breaks to take up a caring role without the worry of having no income or having to fight for basic benefits, opportunities to retrain for new jobs that will be available under the Green New Deal amongst many.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Planning must cease to privilege multinational companies especially supermarkets. Many small business that start up on the high streets in the small towns and villages of Blaydon constituency are innovative and designed to meet the needs of the local population but are undermined by the might of the supermarket chains as rents are too high for small businesses and we have all got into the supermarket habit. We must provide incentives to make, shop and buy locally and reduce the transportation of so many of our goods over long distances with the high carbon emissions that this causes. I believe things are changing, I have heard many residents say they are looking for suppliers of locally produced food, that they value the local electrical shop that will repair your broken appliances and that the large supermarkets are changing the character of our villages forever. As a Green Party candidate I believe we should make it much easier for small local business to thrive and to subsidise essential services that have been lost such as post offices which are sorely missed by many.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

I believe the North is already a power house due to its resilient hard working people and the innovation that has always flourished here. Up till now much of North East success has not been thanks to Westminster for whom the title Northern Power House is being used to flatter rather than provide real support and investment. The Green Party approach of devolving finances would make waiting for action and financial handouts unnecessary. Green Party policy is to scrap plans for HS2. This extravagantly expensive project would provide limited benefits for the North East while destroying huge swathes of green belt and disrupting the lives of the communities on it`s path northwards. However the North East does need an enhanced transport system if business and communities are to thrive. An extended rail system will be required to link with an integrated publicly owned bus service that is powered from renewable sources. This would be a minimum basis for future development that is based on sustainability and resilience rather than motivated by private profit. Transforming industries to be fit for purpose in a zero carbon economy is the major task of our region so investment and innovation should be channelled into achieving that in the North East.

Michael Robinson (Brexit Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

a ) Brexit to be completed in a way, which delivers sovereignty and independence from the EU in line with the democratic referendum.

To ensure this democratic decision is made, we need The Brexity Party to have elected MP's to represent the people.

b) Improve the prospects, ambitions and aspirations of the people in the Blaydon constituency .

To ensure this, using our own laws, we must invest and develop the Blaydon area. Bring Back employment, Regenerate the infrastructure and build new homes

c)Improve the health and well-being for all the people in the Blaydon constituency. People on average live 6 years less than some other areas.

Removing the NHS from the EU ambitions will protected it. The NHS will not be sold off. It will not be on any negotiation table.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

We must honour the democratic referendum no ifs, no buts. Just imagine if we frustrate the sovereignty of the people, who were given this sovereign by an act of parliament. What comes next, what future decisions get overturned.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Before we look at the structure of how the NHS should be funded we need to agree what it is there to do. The NHS has become a political mess. We need to look at every aspect of what it does, how its managed, future proofing for increased population and increased elderly care. We truly need to think what care we now need from cradle to grave. Once we have consensus with the people we can then establish the staffing, internal training, development, management, accountabilities and cost structure. Only then can the financing method be concluded. It must be run for the people and remain free at the point of need.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Business rates to be reduced to zero outside the M25. Funded by a small online sales tax.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

Needs to be adequately funded, such that it expands to cover connections to Durham, Teesside, Tyne and Wear, Cumbria and Northumberland. We need a truly integrated solution to all the regions of the north not just the M62 corridor.

Lee Garrett (Independent)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

1. Protect the environment from microwave radiation pollution caused by the new wireless 5G. We must go forward with hard wired fibre optic internet which is faster and more secure

2. Stop corrupt councillors and MPs rinsing the tax payers and covering up their tracks

3. Stop corporate businesses taking over shops that local business owners should have, reducing rates to empty shops to support local businesses

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Leave, what ever way the vote went I would have respected. That is true democracy

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

No not at all the money paid already just needs to be used correctly. Millions of tax payers money is spent on lavish life styles from current politicians and councillors. This must stop!

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Reduce rates and stop corporations buying empty shops, land.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

More informed training and to fight for more funding from central government

Gateshead

Jane Macbean (Conservative)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

I always enjoy hearing from my residents so that I can understand what their local issues are. In Gateshead we would like to see local council tax spent more wisely and efficiently to deliver better value and services. We would also welcome a review and reduction of business rates, and retention of rates income in Gateshead, to encourage more new enterprises in the town centre and neighbourhood shopping parades. A reduction in parking fees would also encourage residents to Shop Local!

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

I voted Leave because I believe in the strength of the UK’s sovereignty, the key role we play on the world stage and the importance of determining our own future path. The EU was created to facilitate free trade and should not be ‘interfering’ in areas outside of that remit. It’s time to draw a line and say, “no more”. The majority of UK residents voted to Leave and yet we have had 3 years of delay and confusion as individuals and organisations try to impose their opposite view. It’s time to get Brexit done!!

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

I believe that a strong economy and a well-planned, fully costed budget are the fundamental building blocks to delivering improvements across the public sector. A strong economy, increasing the number of people in paid employment, fair taxation and investment in key sectors will deliver fit for purpose services that meet the needs of this generation and those that follow.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

We are by nature social creatures and our high streets will always play a key role in building strong communities by bringing people together. They are no longer just retail shopping centres - they need to deliver a mix of public amenities including library services, public performance spaces, leisure facilities and places to meet and socialise. The Future High Street Fund is already helping some of our struggling high streets to do just that.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

To enable the Northern Powerhouse to work in this region there must be greater and better connectivity in the North East, with the same Rail Transport Advantages as those of Manchester and Leeds.

Rachel Cabral (Green)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

Climate emergency – we need to provide people and businesses with practical, and financial help where needed, to make green choices to ensure we achieve our target of net zero zero carbon by 2030.

Public transport – bring public transport back into public ownership and introduce a frequent, fair and integrated ticketing system which allows all citizens to easily and cheaply access work and leisure.

End austerity, end poverty – increase corporation tax and ensure that tax is nether avoided nor evaded by those that can afford to pay.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

I voted to Remain in the EU Referendum in June 2016 and felt very heavy-hearted when the decision was to Leave. I felt that the the World should be opening up and countries should be working collaboratively to solve the huge issues caused by the Climate Emergency - leaving the EU felt that we were moving against that. Three and a half years later I would still like to remain in the EU however I agree with my Party's policy that we should take the final negotiated deal to a People's Vote. At that point, and if I was the MP, I would work with Constituents ensuring we had all the facts to help to decide which way to vote. I would want to ensure that human rights and workers' rights were protected under any deal - these would be two of my many red lines.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

I want to raise corporation tax and tax for higher rate tax payers, and ensure that it is paid and not avoided nor evaded, to better fund the NHS and other public services. This would include companies that trade in the UK but pay no UK tax. There is plenty of money in this country – it needs to be shared out more fairly which means an overhaul of the tax system to make it fit for purpose for the world that we live in in 2019.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

As a small business owner based in Newcastle City Centre this question is very close to my heart. I would encourage local councils to work with private landlords to secure fair rents for small businesses and a grading rental system so that individual small businesses can compete with the multinationals. This would encourage diversity and individuality and stop every high street in every town looking the same. I would encourage councils and landlords to use empty properties for pop-ups or creative spaces that people want to travel to the High St to visit. This would have a knock on positive impact for the existing businesses as it would make High Streets more attractive to visitors. Lastly I would improve public transport helping people to get to high streets frequently and cheaply, hopefully leaving their cars at home.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The Northern Powerhouse needs to be influenced by a wide section of the Community from small businesses to larger corporations to employees to creatives to public servants so that it serves and represents everyone. It needs to firmly reflect and promote the wonderful characteristics of Northern England. It needs to be inclusive and welcoming rather than insular. And of course it needs the right level of invstement from Central Governement and large corporations that have chosen to trade in the North as they will share its benefits and success.

Jarrow

Mark Conway (Social Democratic Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

There are many key issues in the Jarrow constituency, three that have a great affect on day to day life are:

Housing, we need to build more council houses suitable for the needs of the population that will not be available for the right to buy scheme.

Social care, this should be run by the NHS with a service to fit the needs of the clients with a limited cost ceiling.

The benefits system, the Universal Credit rollout has been disastrous for our area pushing people into poverty and rent arrears, it is too punitive, slow and needs urgent attention.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

The SDP is a leave party and our policy is to support the deal Boris Johnson has agreed with the EU, although it is not perfect it will get us on our way out of the EU, however, if we have still not passed the Withdrawl Agreement by 31st January 2020, we will insist that we leave on WTO rules, there can be no more delay, it is the delay and uncertainty that has harmed business and investment more than the Brexit vote.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

In discussions I have had, generally people are prepared to pay an extra penny on income tax if it meant the NHS and social care is properly funded and this extra funding was ring fenced, there is also a huge appetite amongst the public for the cancelling of HS2 and have these funds pushed into public services and a house building programme, HS2 is perceived to have little benefit by the time it is completed, people want that money invested in services now.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

High streets are struggling, if you look around Hebburn shopping centre you will see it has been decimated and is in urgent need of renovation, Jarrow is in a much better condition, but still has shops which are empty. We need to encourage start up businesses into these areas along with established retailers. The only way these stores can compete with online retailers, are if rents are reduced. We also need to attract other businesses to the area, creating a greater footfall in the shopping centre will drive regeneration.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The Northern powerhouse requires investment in new industry and new technology, we need to attract the manufacturing and technology firms of the future, whilst at the same time retaining the manufacturing and service sectors we already have. To do this we need to have serious investment and this can only come from central government. We need investment in road and rail infrastructure and the establishing of free ports, but most of all we need investment in people and communities.

Richard Monaghan (Brexit Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

- Lack of Investment – action outlined below

- Lack of job opportunities – action outlined below

- Failure of government to recognise and honour the votes of the constituency

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

The Brexit Party wants a Clean Break Brexit, crucially returning our fishing waters and allowing support for strategic industries like steel. Maintenance of our fishing fleet would be a huge boost for South Tyneside, where old shipbuilding facilities lie empty. One job at seas is worth 9 onshore – let’s take back control. Invest in the regions, and create jobs. Funding is available by scrapping HS2, not paying billions to the EU, and other savings. We should be investing in the Regions, not taking minutes off the journey time to London for the few.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

No. We already pay high levels of National Insurance – the problem is that this has become an additional tax and is not put into the NHS. The NHS needs to be depoliticised – management needs to be controlled by a cross party group and the health service should be fully funded. The present situation, where the NHS is regularly used as a political football is unacceptable. The NHS should remain free to all at point of delivery, and existing use of private supply services should be reviewed. Control of wards should be returned to the ward matron, not decided by middle management worried more about budgets than care.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Brexit Party policy is to abolish business rates to reduce costs for businesses and encourage the regeneration of the high street. Action on jobs (see above) is also essential to improve the overall level of demand.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

Imagination, and Investment! The North East has been neglected for too long. Rather like the DUP for Northern Ireland, Brexit Party MPs would be in a position to force investment into the region.

Nick Oliver (Conservative)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

1) Jobs – I will use my 30 years business experience in my Jobs4Jarrow Campaign - establishing a Jarrow Jobs Commission, FreePort status for Port of Tyne and an annual Jarrow Jobs Fair.

2) Protecting Public Services – we will invest more in public services and I will campaign vigorously to make sure that money comes to Jarrow & campaign to protect South Tyneside Hospital and St. Clare’s Hospice.

3) Save the Greenbelt –campaign vigorously to save the greenbelt and focus housebuilding on brown field sites - regenerating town centres in Hebburn and Jarrow and providing much needed affordable housing.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

We must leave and Boris already has a deal to take us out by 31st January. All 635 Conservative Candidates including myself have signed up to this deal and we are the only party that can deliver Brexit. Corbyn’s Labour offers us more protracted negotiations for another deal, a second referendum, the likelihood that Labour will campaign against their own deal and utter chaos. We can then focus on investing in public services and delivering an ambitious local agenda in Jarrow.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Boris has announced putting on hold Corporation Tax cuts to fund the NHS and I support that wholeheartedly. Tax rises should be avoided if at all possible because the evidence is that a low tax economy for households and businesses will generate more sustainable higher tax revenues in the long term. John McDonnell’s punitive tax plans will stifle investment and bring our economy to its knees.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

I have over two decades experience in retail and I will work with South Tyneside Council and the Government to create an ambitious plan for Jarrow and Hebburn town centres. Across the country there are too many retail units. We need to redesign our town centres as vibrant places where people live and spend their leisure time as well as shop. We need a Public/Private Partnership with local landlords to develop starter housing, encourage pop up markets, events and leisure activities to draw people in.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

We need stronger voices representing the North East in the Northern Powerhouse. For too long Labour MP’s, Council Leaders and local politicians have been too busy squabbling amongst themselves to come up with a clear vision for our region. Even when the Prime Minister and many Cabinet Members were from Labour North East seats we didn’t get a good deal. Conservative Mayor Ben Houchen on Teesside and the Conservative Council in Northumberland have shown how we can bring people together and provide real leadership.

Newcastle Central

Ali Avaei (Liberal Democrat)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

Better education, training, and life chances for young people; improving adult social care, and local and global action on climate change. As a pharmacist I'm particularly interested in focusing on reducing physical and mental health inequalities and I also believe there needs to be greater emphasis on increasing youth employment and educational opportunity in Newcastle Central

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

I favour a second referendum in which I would campaign to Remain. The Liberal Democrats are the main party of Remain at this election.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Yes if we are to achieve the levels of investment that our NHS desperately needs to meet growing demand. We would support increasing income tax by 1p to provide a 3.9% annual rise in NHS funding, ensuring an extra £26bn above inflation by 2023/24 compared to today's level.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Lib Dems have announced proposals to abolish business rates and replace this with a land valuation tax - this will massively help smaller shops and businesses and help our High Streets and neighbourhood centres to survive and thrive.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

A guarantee that the North East's interests will be protected - we risk being marginalised at the fringes if the bulk of investment in transport infrastructure is directed at the Leeds-Manchester corridor. Other areas risk leaving us behind as they are given greater resources and powers whilst the North East is held back by the failure of Labour leaders to work together.

Chi Onwurah (Labour)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

Universal credit –This is always in my top three casework issues. We will design a new system that provides a decent minimum standard of living, and immediately end the sanctions and five week wait for payments that trap people in poverty.

Jobs – Many of my constituents are in low paid and insecure jobs. Labour will introduce a £10 minimum wage, end zero hours contract, and invest in a National Education Service so all adults can gain new skills. We will invest in a Green Industrial Revolution to bring good, green, manufacturing jobs to the North East.

Air Pollution – Labour has a £6billion programme of support to move to electric cars, protecting jobs in the automotive industry and cleaning up the air in cities.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

I voted remain but I was determined to honour the result of the referendum. Then the Tories decide on a hard right Brexit, threatening 118,000 manufacturing jobs across the North East that rely on a customs union. They are using Brexit to try to do what they have always wanted to do –privatise the NHS, selling it off to Trump. This is not what people voted for, Labour will negotiate a deal that protects jobs and public services, and give people the choice between this or staying in the EU to get this issue sorted.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Most people do not need to pay extra tax to fund public services. What Labour is proposing is that those on higher incomes (over £80,000) and big companies pay a bit more tax for improvements that benefit everyone. I don’t think the top 5% of earners want to live in society where homeless people are dying on our street and nurses are having to go to foodbanks. The underlying problem here is inequality - the poorest 10% of people in the UK pay 42% of their income in different taxes, that is why Labour have put in place measures to improve people’s wages, which in turn increases the money available for services.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

I am proud of our high streets in Newcastle, but worried when I see shops closing. High streets are central to our daily lives, each high street tells you a lot about the communities that live nearby and are more than places to go and by things.

Labour has plan to revive high streets by stopping bank branch closures, banning ATM charges and giving local government new powers to put empty shops to good use. We will look into developing a land-value tax as an alternative to business rates to make it easier for smaller traders. We will protect pubs as Assets of community value and support councils in providing and protecting library services.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The Northern Powerhouse was a marketing ploy by George Osborne to hide years of neglect and the hundreds of millions he was cutting from our public services. Labour has a major plan to shift the economic centre of gravity north. To rebuild after the Tory cuts, we have pledged an additional £150 billion in a new Social Transformation Fund, to be spent over the first five years of our Labour government, to be distributed by a Treasury of the North and invest in our schools, hospitals and housing. We will create a million green jobs across the country as part of a Green Industrial Revolution and invest in infrastructure across the nation.

Newcastle East

Nick Hartley (Green Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

Through my work as a Clinical Psychologist in the NHS I have seen the devastating impact of austerity on people’s lives in Newcastle East. Our Green New Deal has the potential to give people in Walker the same opportunities as people in Jesmond by creating thousands of climate jobs. The Universal Basic Income would ensure everyone has access to a basic level of financial security, with additional support for those with extra needs. We’d also tackle illegal levels of air pollution in areas such as Heaton by improving walking, cycling and public transport routes.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

We need a new vote. People voted to leave, but there are many different forms of Brexit. It’s not clear whether any of these options are acceptable to people. It is so important that any changes to our relationship with Europe is made through a democratic process that allows everyone to understand what people want from these changes. I support Citizen’s Assemblies as a way to do this and then a public vote on the Brexit proposals. In a public vote, I’d campaign to remain in the EU but to reform the institutions to make them greener, fairer and more transparent.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

I’d like to see a society in which everyone pays their fair share of tax, where tax is seen as a foundation to a well-functioning society. Our progressive tax system laid out in the Green Party manifesto would support the entrepreneurs we need to kickstart the Green Economy whilst ensuring that no-one is left behind. Public services function well when they are universal, welcoming and efficient. We need to end the privatisation agenda in our NHS and ensure that people are always put before profits.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Our high streets can be community hubs again, whilst introducing more greenery and pocket parks will literally breath life back into them. Our policies to improve public transport will help people get to the shops, whether on Shields Road or Acord Road. In Newcastle we have seen some fantastic independent shops which struggle to keep their doors open, sometimes citing the impact of business rates. The Green Party proposes to replace business rates with a Land Value Tax on landowners, whilst also giving small businesses access to lending through a network of regional mutual banks.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

Newcastle often feels stranded from the whole Northern Powerhouse project, however we could be the home of the Green New Deal. To get there we need to focus on building the workforce we need for the transition to renewable energy sources. We can change the way our education system works, giving more young people the opportunity to explore apprenticeships and learning how to set up co-operatives. We need to be more connected, putting the buses back into public hands and co-ordinating our metro, bus and rail links. We’d scrap HS2 and invest in electrifying the local rail network.

Wendy Taylor ( Liberal Democrat)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

a)Tackling climate change is a top priority. Radical change is needed nationally, but at a local level we can increase the use of renewable energy, insulate all homes, build only zero carbon new homes, plant many more trees and support new jobs in green industries.

b) Integrating health and social care and giving mental health the same priority as physical health, including better support in schools and colleges and rapid access to treatment, especially for children and young adults

c) Supporting our schools to make sure every child can reach their full potential-reversing cuts, employing more teachers and increasing funding for special needs.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

I believe that the UK is better off as part of the EU, working with other countries to preserve peace, ensure high quality standards both for goods and workers, tackling climate change and organised crime and protecting our economy. I campaigned for Remain during the referendum and for a People's Vote on the final deal. The Liberal Democrats are the strongest Remain party and I'm proud that we are working with other parties to try to stop Brexit and stop the breakup of the UK. An isolated UK would have no bargaining power and would be at the mercy of the USA.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

You can't have world class public services and reduce taxes. Only the Liberal Democrats have the courage to say that we need to increase income tax by 1p in the pound to fund the improvements needed for the NHS and social care, including giving mental health services the same priority as physical health and recruiting and keeping the extra staff we need. We would reverse cuts to schools and increase the number of teachers, provide free child care to help parents return to work and provide the funding needed for adults to retrain for new jobs throughout their working lives

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

All small businesses are struggling and need support to move to new ways of working in the age of the internet. The Liberal Democrats would work with the major banks to fund the creation of a local banking sector dedicated to meeting the needs of local small and medium-sized businesses, such as access to capital funding when needed. We would also give more support to the tourist industry and improve public transport and cycling and walking routes to ensure easy access to our high streets.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

We need major investment in public transport and infrastructure, including hyper-fast, fibre optic broadband, if the Northern Powerhouse is to be more than a name. It also need to be focused on the whole of the North, not concentrated in Manchester and Leeds. Transport for the North needs similar powers to Transport for London, ensuring clean, low emission buses, massive investment in better, carbon neutral train services and in safe and accessible cycle routes. We also need to develop a Local Industrial Strategy that will incentivise clustering by businesses and universities with particular specialisations.

Newcastle North

Mark Lehain (Conservative)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

The majority of constituents voted to Leave the EU, so first of all, I’d vote to get Brexit done by January 31st.

Then I’d get on with securing our fair share of the 20,000 extra police officers planned, to make the area safer and reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.

As a parent & former Headteacher, I will roll my sleeves up and work with parents and teachers to improve local education. Whether it’s feeder schools, expansions or redevelopment, I will make sure our kids benefit from the best possible education.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Like the majority of people in Newcastle North and the United Kingdom, I voted to leave in 2016.

I think that the new deal obtained by Boris Johnson will get us out of the European Union in an orderly fashion, takes back control of our laws, borders, and money, and enables us to quickly forge strong relationships with the EU and the rest of the world.

We must honour the referendum result – and it is now clear that only a Conservative majority will break the deadlock, deliver Brexit, and allow us to get on with other priorities.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

It’s not just a matter of paying more taxes – we need a strong economy to support our public services in the first place, and we also need to spend taxes carefully and effectively.

I think the Conservative manifesto balances these things well. It will unleash the potential of the economy, so we get higher growth and investment. It cuts taxes for those on lower incomes, and places the burden on those who can bear it. And it will provide extra cash for the services that most need it – health, education, police – in a way that ensures it has biggest bang for buck.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

There is definitely a need to look again at business rates and ensure all businesses pay their fair share. We also need to rethink, with business and community groups, how we make the most of the incredible high streets and centres we have, given the change in shopping and spending habits. The potential & talent for a revival is there, and employment and wages are growing. I’d be keen to remove any barriers to people getting on and improving their local areas.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The Northern Powerhouse needs smart and passionate individuals to champion the region’s people, communities and businesses, in order to make the most of opportunities available. My previous experience of championing education and obtaining millions of pounds of investment for schools makes me believe that I can do this for Newcastle North. The constituency already contains so many talented, hard-working individuals and businesses, and I would make their voice heard in Westminster, and make sure that Westminster works for them.

Richard Ogden (Brexit Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

An incumbent Labour MP who arrogantly thinks her opinion on Brexit is more important than that of thousands of her constituents put together. Too many people suffering under the roll out of Universal Credit, a lack of investment in the region's infrastructure.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Leave. Anything else would be an absolute betrayal of our democracy, without which we have nothing.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Yes it is inevitable with the rising cost of treatments and an ageing population. We need to be honest with the public on the cost of the NHS, not whip people up into states of fear or anger for tribal political reasons . The tax taken from people's income should be a separate figure on payslips and we should be given a receipt when we have treatment so we can see how much that treatment has cost the NHS, This will hopefully focus people's minds as to what good value we all get from healthcare free at the point of need and the pride we feel in helping to fund it.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Increase the threshold for paying Corporation (business) Tax and reduce High St business rates outside of London to 0%, paying for it with a small levy on online sales.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

Brexit Party MPs replacing Labour MP's who have failed the region for so long despite being in control for decades. We will push for increased investment, oversee Brexit and be ready to galvanise support from the ordinary people of this country should we end up with a Brexit In Name Only.

North Tyneside

Chris Boyle (Liberal Democrats)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

We would improving employment protections for agency and zero-hour workers - setting a 20% higher minimum wage for those on zero hours contracts. improve the economy and afford high investment in public services and infrastructure through no longer pursuing an expensive and damaging brexit, and we fund an extra 7 billion to the NHS through an extra penny on income tax.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Remain. Brexit will be hugely damaging to the UK, It will harm everyone except those on the highest incomes. It will be bad for jobs, income, investment, and our future. To succeed on the world stage we need to be open, outward looking, and able to work with other nations.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Yes

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Work with Europe to prevent tax avoidance by online retailers. Provide local authorities with funds and planning powers to make improvements and prevent further deterioration. However a significant overhaul of property and business taxation is likely to be necessary to allow small independent shops and start-up businesses to return to the high street.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The Northern Powerhouse needs to go further North than just Leeds and Manchester. That will require politicians across the North East to work better together - previously they haven't. It will also require real funding and also powers to deliver improvements on the ground. Our ageing metro system taking so long to belatedly get only a fraction of the funds being spent in London and the South demonstrates what the North East currently lacks.

Andrew Husband (Brexit Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

-What is clear in my constituency is how fed up people are with Brexit and the way politicians have behaved over the last 3 years. The majority of North Tyneside (60%) voted leave in the 2016 referendum and this was repeated by the European Election results where twice as many constituents voted for the Brexit Party rather than Labour. Mary Glindon (Labour) has repeatedly gone against her constituents by voting against their vote, which has not gone unnoticed. The consensus now is that North Tyneside just wants to leave now, negotiate later and move on.

If I were to win this seat I would be a strong voice for North Tyneside. I get things done and as a successful business owner I have a higher level of business experience to that of my opposition candidates. I am not a career politician and don't need a career in politics so I can think objectively, not selfishly. I would ensure that I represent the wishes of the people of North Tyneside but more importantly I would fight to get Brexit done.

-Unemployment is 64% higher than the national average of 5.6%.

A post Brexit North Tyneside could be very exciting for the region especially when it comes to job creation. Due to my background I can say with confidence that the majority of EU product comes into our country via the likes of Dover and Folkestone. We are in a prime position to operate Free Ports across our region to naturally help facilitate the flow of product from around the world. Our policy is also to defend our fishing industry and for every boat at sea, 18 jobs are created on land to facilitate the processing & distribution of the catch. Out of 200 square miles of open water available to us we are currently only allowed to fish in 20 square miles due to EU regulations.

The other thing we can do is to cut the cost of living by reducing tariffs on food, clothing and footwear with a true Brexit.

-The High Street is suffering across North Tyneside, with boarded up units and many struggling independents, it is quite a concern.

The Brexit Party was the first party to announce ZERO business rates for high street businesses, which would benefit North Tyneside. This would be financed by a small "online" tax for online retailers, which has had a direct impact on the deterioration of our high street.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

I think the fact that I am a candidate for the Brexit Party suggests that I am keen to implement the result of the first referendum and quite simply leave. The Brexit Party is full of genuine, real people with business experience and we are in a better position than other parties to play a part post Brexit, with confidence. It is not about left or right, but about right and wrong.

It would be wrong for Labour (who are an obvious remain party) to be allowed to go to the EU with the EU aware of their stance on Brexit. I would have zero confidence in them being able to re-negotiate a new deal, only for them to campaign against it. If it was a good deal, they wouldn't campaign against it would they? I think it would be insulting to the British Public to be put into a situation where they are presented with 2 labour options, a remain deal or remain. We are sick and tired of political games. Both the Conservatives and Labour are to blame for the state of British Politics and to move forward a lot of their candidates shouldn't be re-elected, otherwise it is the same parliament = the same result. We need Brexit Party MP's in parliament to fight for democracy and integrity.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Not if the Brexit Party end up playing an influential role in British politics. The DUP have had some considerable influence with only 10 seats. 2 of our policies which will avoid the need to pay additional tax or to avoid a worrying Labour government from simply borrowing more money as a quick fix, we would reduce the foreign aid budget by 50% and scrap HS2, which is over £100 billion of funds which could be better spent doing a lot more good with our public sector. Don't believe the fake news, the Brexit Party are right behind the NHS.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

As previously mentioned we have a great policy prepared to help our local high streets. Zero business rates for local high street businesses to at least give the industry half a chance to survive and thrive. It is only fair that a small internet "online tax" is applied to make it more of a level playing field.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

It is fair to say that regional investment in the north east is stifled by political ideology behind austerity. As a voter I felt mis-represented, unable to vote Labour or Conservative as I didn't think neither prioritise the north east of England, especially as part of the Northern Powerhouse. There needs to be a culture change. In London alone there is additional investment in infrastructure to the value of £2,500 per person compared to that in the north east of England. That isn't right or fair.

The Brexit Party has a well documented and unrivalled focus on the labour heartlands that includes the North East. This is before, during and after an election, a complete game changer.

Post Brexit the North East can be a real platform to help deliver some key Brexit Party policies which include can only implemented via a Clean-Break Brexit.

South Shields

William Shepherd (Liberal Democrats)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

• Brexit, the single biggest threat to jobs and the economy of South Shields is a disorderly Brexit which is why Liberal Democrats want to remain.

• Deteriorating Health and Social Care systems, unlike the other parties Liberal Democrats have clear, sustainable proposals to resource the NHS and social care.

• Secondary and Further Education: Providing free, high-quality childcare for children of working parents from nine months. Reversing cuts to school funding, employing an extra 20,000 schoolteachers, and clearing the backlog of repairs to school and college buildings.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Remain and reform. The North East and South Shields particularly, relies upon access to the EU's markets for our manufactured goods. For too long establishment politicians have blamed the problems of the NE on the EU where in reality it is their own inaction that caused the problems. Labour don't need to care about our economy they are always re-elected, Tories don't have a hope on Tyneside and therefore only look after the wealthy shires.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Yes, for too long governments have pretended we can have Scandinavian levels of public Services with US levels of taxation. We all need to pay more. Liberal Democrats have proposed that an extra £7Bn is spent. This will be generated from a 1p rise on the basic, higher and additional rates of Income Tax. Both Tories and Labour's plans have been shown to be unrealistic unicorns.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Bricks and mortar shops provide a crucial role for the local area providing a social function as well as access to quality services. Landlords need to recognise that their properties have been superseded by online shopping and are no longer worth what they were in rents. We do need to level the playing field with online retailers. However, in the future shopping centres may be smaller but I hope with many more independent retailers offering a personal, convenient and sustainable selection of quality products.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

It feels as though the Northern Powerhouse initiative stops at York. For me there are two barriers to progress: Firstly a commitment for all the local authorities to work together properly on a simple strategy, with no more than six simple, practical priorities that can be written down on half a side of A4 paper. Too often in the NE do we attempt to appease everyone and thereby defeat ourselves.

Secondly the transport infrastructure needs to be properly addressed. It can not be sensible that it takes longer to get to Manchester (150 miles) than it does to London (300 miles). As long as everything is focused on transport to London, Northern Powerhouse is flawed.

Glenn Thompson (Brexit Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

We have recently lost our palliative care cover with St Clare’s hospice in Jarrow this covered my constituency in South Shields. This I know needs a coordinated campaign to address the situation and find a way to bring back an equal or superior facility, quickly. Locally various campaigns are trying what they can, as MP for South Shields I would like to form the current campaigns into one unifying and powerful campaign to restore the situation at the earliest possible date.

Reviving our fishing industry in the North East is essential for jobs and the communities, leaving the EU and regaining our fishing quotas will be the kick start we need to re establishing this great island industry.

The South Tyneside Hospital is losing its acute services, downgrading could lead to anything, I would campaign strongly and as an MP use my influence to its fullest to save our beloved hospital. Enough has not been done, I would focus on this as a priority and as with the situation with palliative care unify the present campaign to make it as effective as absolutely possible.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

So much you could say! Simply in a minimum of words, it’s about democracy, we voted to leave, we need to leave. Parliament and particularly the Labour Party has not represented the country, the region nor my hometown South Shields. The Brexit Party will play a significant part in getting Brexit done, we need influence in Parliament, we will get it, the leave Labour voter has been betrayed and is flooding over to the Brexit Party, If I had a pound for every Labour voter that had approached me, shook my hand and said” Enough is Enough with Labour, you have my vote”.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Restructuring is a requirement that would not necessitate additional tax rises. One NHS for the whole of the UK (5000 staff alone in NHS England, over 200 English areas for 1. Clinical Commissioning Groups, 2. Integrated Care Communities, 3. Primary Care Networks - to name but 4 different strands of management), reduce these local management structures from the over 200 in England alone, standardise across the whole UK procurement of equipment, services and drugs (price ranges for some drugs ,dependent upon who in the NHS purchased them, from £5 to £245) and by removing the monopoly on the number of doctors who qualify from the GMC and BMA. In Social Care, we can see returns on investment by reducing the number of emergency admissions to hospitals.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

The High Streets in the North East are dying. The High Street and the market areas are the centre of the community and we need to revive them. They have been so badly neglected in our region by The Labour Party that urgency is required. With The Brexit Party policy of zero business rates on the High Street being initiated, it will breathe life into the local economy and the local communities, footfall will increase and spread to the local markets, this needs to happen!

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

We need strong representation from a unified party to speak loudly for our regions, only this way will powers devolve and substance be added to the words “Northern Powerhouse”. The Brexit Party has strong cohesion in the North, in the North East I can speak with absolute confidence for the Parliamentary Candidates and how they are committed to work as a group to get things done for the region. The Labour Party has lost the hearts and the minds in the North East, The Brexit Party will represent the region strongly in Parliament and get things done!

Sunderland Central

Tom D'Silva (Conservative)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

1) Delivering certainty for the businesses and people of Sunderland. Sunderland was the first council to announce its vote to Leave and since becoming Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has agreed a deal with the EU. Once we Get Brexit Done, we can unleash the potential of Sunderland Central. A Conservative majority will Get Brexit Done and that means certainty for local businesses and employers in Sunderland.

2) Supporting the city centre through working with Government to receive the increased funding for our local communities which is something I discuss more below.

3) I am committed to delivering the Prime Minister’s green agenda: we need to protect our green spaces and that’s why safeguarding and enhancing the Green Belt are key parts of our manifesto.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

My stance is to Get Brexit Done. Why? Because I voted to Leave three years ago – and so did the majority of people in Sunderland. I also know many people who voted Remain but believe in democracy so just want to get on with it, rather than delay. With a Conservative majority government, you can be sure that I will start the process to Get Brexit Done for Sunderland Central, voting for Boris Johnson’s deal and we will be out of the EU no later than the end of January 2020. The only party who can Get Brexit Done is the Conservative Party.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

When we Get Brexit Done, we can focus on the priorities of the people of Sunderland and get about delivering some of the changes that people voted for in the referendum like strengthening the NHS, investing in schools and making our streets safer. The Conservatives are giving the NHS its biggest ever cash boost as well as creating an extra 50 million GP appointments a year; each secondary pupil will receive, in funding, a minimum of £5,000 next year, and each primary school pupil will receive £4,000 by 2021-22; and we have already begun recruiting for 20,000 new police officers. All of this will be done whilst not raising the rates of income tax, National Insurance or VAT ensuring that the incomes of hard-working people in Sunderland are protected.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

I will work with the Government and fight for Sunderland to benefit from the Government’s increased funding for high streets. We will launch a Towns Fund to help transport links and boost broadband connectivity, expand the Future High Streets which can be used to convert empty units into new homes and workplaces, as well as funding to keep our streets safe and increase cultural infrastructure too supporting Sunderland projects. Small retail businesses will also see their taxes cut as well as local music venues, pubs and cinemas too, protecting Sunderland’s small businesses from tax hikes.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

An emphasis on connectivity. That is why in our manifesto we say that a key part of our plan is to level up the UK’s cities and regions is to connect them. After building Northern Powerhouse Rail between Leeds and Manchester, the Conservatives will focus on Tees Valley and Newcastle helping the entire region. However, connectivity is not just about the UK’s cities – the Conservatives will invest in ‘superbus’ networks and beyond transport too which is why the Prime Minister is aiming to bring full fibre and gigabit-capable broadband to every home and business across the UK by 2025.

Rachel Featherstone (Green Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

The speed and scale of climate breakdown makes it an urgent issue for everyone. We'd invest £100 billion every year in green energy and jobs, public transport and energy efficiency to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

This investment would also help to tackle poverty. As well as investing in green jobs, we'd scrap universal credit and give everyone a Basic Income, boosting incomes for those in and out of work.

We'd give people a real choice in local and general elections by introducing a fair electoral system so people will know their vote can make a difference.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

We face many challenges in 21st century Europe, tax dodging multinational companies, a refugee crisis, a surge in support for the far right, terrorism and climate change. We need international cooperation to tackle these issues. Though the EU isn't perfect, it has invested in Sunderland - £23 million over ten years - when our government failed to do so, guarantees our employment rights, environmental protections and our ability to live, work and study in 27 other countries. I would support a People's Vote and campaign to Remain as Brexit, any Brexit, would be bad for Britain and Sunderland in particular.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Raising taxes for everyone isn't the answer to the funding crisis in our services. We'd raise taxes for corporations from 19% to the OECD average of 24%, simplify taxation to make tax avoidance much more difficult and tax wealth at the same rate as income - those whose income comes from assets would pay the same tax as those who work. We'd scrap the costly and inefficient internal market and get private providers out of our NHS. These measures, among others, would allow us to invest an additional £6 billion each year in the NHS and £4 billion in education.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Spending on our high streets keeps money in the local economy and cuts carbon emissions. We'd encourage this by promoting the culture and leisure industries through reducing VAT on event tickets and on food and drink in bars and restaurants. Independent retailers would benefit from reform of land and property taxes. This would create distinctive shopping experiences rather than 'clone towns' dominated by chain stores. We would encourage city centre living and provide more frequent, cheaper public transport links. This would allow car free city centres - proven to encourage visitors and increase spending as well as reducing air pollution.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The Northern Powerhouse has been used by successive governments to pretend that central government cares about this region. The South East, however, is still receiving much more investment and the wealth gap between regions is growing. This won't change while power remains concentrated in Westminster. The North requires real investment in education, jobs and transport. The Green Party would provide that investment as part of our commitment to a just transition to a green economy. We would also devolve spending and decision making power to elected regional and local bodies that would be accountable to the communities they serve.

Niall Hodson (Liberal Democrat)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

Sunderland isn't getting the basics right: we need to focus on getting the city centre cleaned up and presentable. As MP I would challenge the Council to take action to get this sorted out. Our railway station is an embarrasment, and the new MP needs to get Network Rail to invest to improve it. We need to promote and develop the city's cultural sector to bring in jobs and make Sunderland a more lively place to be.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Remain - anything else will be seriously damaging to the city's economy, and will affect jobs and livelihoods in the city for a generation.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Yes - particularly to cover the cost of social care. Local councils can't cope, and social care services urgently need better funding. Lib Dems are proposing a penny on the pound in income tax to cover the cost of properly funding social care services for the future.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

The Liberal Democrats would scrap business rates and replace them with a commercial landowner levy. This will shift the burden from the tenant to the landlord so that we can crack down on empty properties, encourage new businesses, and breathe life into our high streets. It would be an obvious benefit in a city like Sunderland.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

Serious investment in public transport and infrastructure. Whilst Labour talk about wasting fortunes nationalizing railways, the Lib Dems would instead fund improvements to stations, roads, and cycle networks.

Viral Parikh (Brexit Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

Employment, skills and Worklessness

Homelessness

Regeneration and investments

I strongly believe in apprenticeship and we need to talk to our big partners like Nissan, Doxford park etc to make it happen. I will work closely with university to provide more digital, IT courses fit for 21st century. Sunderland needs high quality and highly paid jobs which will enhance the local economy.

I will work closely with charities, council and private sector to help eradicate homelessness. It is vital that in eradicating homelessness we find pathway to fulfil people’s aspirations.

I will look into business rates to regenerate local economy. It is vital that our high streets are vibrant. We need massive investment in our city and I will work closely with private sector, NGOs and public sector to bring back aspirations, vibrancy and transparency.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

I want to Leave the EU as soon as possible. I firmly believe in global Britain where we control our laws, borders and money. I am very happy to have trade deal with EU but want us to stop giving billions and billions of pounds to EU, that money could be used in our local cities and towns for NHS, children’s wards, police, fire service, education etc.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

I would be prepared to pay additional money as long as we can demonstrate that the money is going for the front line staff and used for the right causes. It is vitally important that we look into productivity and efficiency in the organisation. The wastage in some of our core institutions is massive and should be looked into that. I know very well as I am Pharmacist by profession.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

High streets are the backbone of UK economy so we need to protect them. The most important thing I believe is to look at the business rates. Business rates have made life difficult for existing stores and new entrepreneurs. It is vital that our high streets are vibrant, WiFi accessed and should be fit for 21st century.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

Northern powerhouse to me means investing in skills, innovation, the better connectivity, infrastructure, digital economy, good paid jobs including apprenticeships and better transport links. These are the key areas to regenerate cities like Sunderland. We need all the sectors of economy working together to truly make northern powerhouse which is fit for 21st century.

Tynemouth

Alan Campbell (Labour)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

The crisis in the NHS is the main worry on the doorstep. The NHS needs to be funded properly. We need to get waiting times down. To do that we need more doctors and nurses. To stop our hospitals coming under even more pressure we need more GP’s – 5,000 more across the country. Next up is rising crime and anti-social behaviour which need more police officers. Then school budgets have been cut. Schools need more money. There’s a common link. We need to end Tory austerity and make sustained investment in the public services the public rely on

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

The Tories complain about a lack of progress on Brexit but all the time they’ve been in control. We need to rule out No Deal which would be disastrous for the country and particularly for our region. But even the Johnson plan leaves the door open to a No Deal which risks job losses, higher food prices and a shortage of medicines. We need a better deal which at least maintains high working and environmental standards and protects our security. That deal must be put to the public with Remain as an option. I will campaign to Remain.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Both the main parties now accept that austerity has failed and our public services need investment. The question is how much and over what period. Labour believes that has to be sustained, the Tory commitments have been short term, presumably to get through an election. We’ve been upfront in saying additional taxes will be required. Companies – a few of whom try to avoid paying their share – need to play their part. And taxes for individuals need to rise a bit but a few - the top 5% of earners - need to pay a bit more to benefit the many

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Some high streets are struggling but for example in Whitley Bay which is being regenerated more than sixty new businesses have been set up. High streets are certainly changing and we need to what we can with things like parking and business rates. The key however is investment. Too many communities have been left too poor without the means to support local shops and businesses. Labour will invest in every community and shift resources from the South where the Tories have concentrated resources to the North which the Tories have either forgotten about or don’t care about.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The Northern Powerhouse is fine in principle but successive Tory Governments have failed to follow through. More decisions affecting the North need to be made in the North and that may mean giving greater powers to Elected Mayor’s where they have a proven track record. But it also means giving them the resources they need to affect change. The Tories are also still wedded to the idea that the market is enough to bring about change. In fact, public investment is crucial and we need a proper regional policy the way other successful European economies work.

John Appleby (Liberal Democrat)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

The first is the probable consequences of Brexit in any form, which is predicted to hit the North-East hardest (11% drop in economy relative to where we should be). This will require Government investment - see my answer to qu 5 below. There is potential in this region for major work on environmental improvements in the offshore industry - wind power in particular. This would be part of an overall push towards a greener economy. The Liberal Democrat manifesto urges a £100bn investment in environmental measures; a good chunk of that needs to come to areas like the North East.

This question doesn't rule out national issues, in my view, where they'll have a local effect. Therefore, my second priority is Health and Social Care, which is in crisis. It needed sorting anyway, but substantial cuts in central government grants to local authorities have made it harder and harder to deal with. Both major parties have failed on this, partly because they keep trying to gain political advantage and so won't agree on a plan.

Thirdly, although schools are quite good in North Tyneside, overall participation in Higher Education is low in the North-East, and Further Education is also badly-funded. Therefore more support for FE, making apprenticeships easier to set up, and encouragement to aim higher still, are all needed. Better FE and apprenticeships could also help the rural parts of this area. Environmental education is already being encouraged somewhat by the North of Tyne authority, but there is so much more to do.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Remain. The EU has brought peace to Europe, increased trade, increased opportunities for travel and employment, given us greater influence internationally with giants like the US and China, and also gives the best hope of concerted action on the Environment. But the EU does need reform.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Yes, extra tax is needed to pay for better services. Of the major parties, only the Liberal Democrats are honest in saying this, and our manifesto has been commended by the Institute for Financial Studies for its realism and honesty about this. Conservatives pretend that improvements can be funded with no tax rises (and despite tax cuts), whilst Labour claim it can all be funded by the rich - seriously doubted by IFS.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

This combines with other Environmental and Health issues. We need to encourage more walking and cycling for both reasons, and better provision of, and use of, public transport. The revived Blyth and Ashington line, improvements to Metro, etc. will help, but we need to reduce private car and polluting diesel use from our town centres to make them more pleasant places to spend the day. A completely new approach to Business Rates, replacing with a land-value tax, would be helpful too, reducing the advantage that on-line and out-of-town retail currently has over conventional urban shopping.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The Northern Powerhouse was a good idea, but needs more investment and powers to determine its own future. A key investment is in improved rail connections within the North, not just to London. Devolution and reform of business rates would also help. The UK is one of the most centralised administrations in Europe, with too much in London and far too little elsewhere. In the North-East I like to say: 'We used to have the Carbon; we've still got the Energy!'.

Ed Punchard (Brexit Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

Regional regeneration must be urgently addressed by directing substantial amounts of the Brexit dividend towards our region to bridge the North South gap.

The NHS must be protected and enhanced by targeted investment in increased medical staff and focus on waste reduction and duplication.

The devastation of our fishing and coastal communities must be reversed by recovering control of our exclusive economic zone and by new investment in fisheries, marine industry jobs and tourism.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

My priority is to leave the European Union and deliver the Brexit that 17.4m people voted for in 2016. A proper Brexit not Brino. Honouring the biggest numerical vote in British history is fundamental to restoration of faith in our democracy. Time and again people tell me on the streets that they feel cheated and that they have been regarded as too stupid to have made the right choice. They say if Brexit is denied they will never vote again. Democracy has and always will rely on loser’s consent. We must restore that essential principal or our democracy may never recover This is vital for the fabric of British society.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Resorting to additional taxation is the default position of the failing labour party at it and they should be rejected. Governments of competence and compassion set their budgets as a contract with the people. The NHS and other public services should be funded within a combination of the existing tax base, changed funding priorities, saving from EU payments and scrapping HS2

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Revival of high streets should be part of a national debate in the interests of our sense of self and community identity. To achieve this there should be specific targeted support. Outside the M25, High St retailers should be assisted with business rates being replaced with a much simpler and less onerous system. This should be funded by an online sales tax.Small businesses should be further supported by a significant reduction the corporation tax whereby any profit under £10,000 should be tax free.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

A new report suggest the UK ‘is more regionally divided than any other comparable advanced economy’. The North East is missing out. In 2017 the Conservatives said fixing this ‘was the biggest prize in the UK today’. They have done nothing and I hear people’s anger on the streets as I campaign. Take the Brexit dividend, scrap HS2, invest in regional and localised road and rail, cut High St rates, cut small business corporation tax, Support apprenticeships & scrap student loan interest. Invest £2.5 billion in fishing and coastal communities and re-instate a 200-mile limit under a clean break Brexit.

Washington and Sunderland West

Howard Brown (Brexit Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

a) Democracy & Behaviour of MPs in Westminster

The constituents feel let down by the Labour Party and their MP.

They expected their MP to support the vast majority of her constituents in supporting Brexit.

They don’t understand why a Labour opposition would keep a weak and discredited Conservative Government in power for so long. Only agreeing to a General Election when forced to by the Lib/Dems and SNP.

If elected, I promise to listen to the people of Washington and Sunderland West and will support the will of the people in any future referenda.

If elected I will campaign and support measures to change the Way Politics is Done in the future.

b) The NHS and care for the elderly

Constituents are very supportive of the nurses and doctors in Washington and Sunderland, and the treatment they receive.

BUT, they feel they are waiting far too long for appointments, due to lack of funding and lack of qualified staff.

They also want more joined up thinking and urgency to support the elderly when leaving hospital.

I will support any Government in keeping the NHS as a publically owned, comprehensive service that is free at the point of use. Your postcode should not determine your care or health.

I will campaign for the Introduction of 24-hour GP surgeries to relieve the strain in A&E departments

I will support all investment in the NHS and Social Care: we need to keep investing in these essential and treasured public services — with more medical staff and less waste

c) The environment and the use of Green Belt land as opposed to Brownfield sites

Constituents are concerned with the decline in Green Belt areas and the lack of development of our Brownfield sites.

If elected I will campaign for to simplify planning consents for Brownfield sites

I will support the investment in the Environment: in addition to planting millions of trees to capture CO2, I will support and promote a global initiative with the UN.

I and The Brexit Party will campaign for funding to Recycle our own waste and make it illegal for it to be exported across the world to be burnt, buried or dumped at sea.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

My preference is for a Clean Break I want to live in a Free Independent Sovereign Nation

There are 4 basic freedoms that our Government (both Labour and Conservative) should never have negotiated away.

i. That the UK can determine their own destiny by having laws that they write and only they control. Without any interference from external bodies.

It does not stop us from changing or adapting our laws to suit our particular needs. Not the needs of others

ii. That the UK can chose who to trade with for the benefit of themselves. Without any interference from external bodies.

It does not stop us working in partnership with other countries to enhance our trade deals to suit our particular needs. Not the needs of others

iii. That the UK demands the right to control their own borders. Without any interference from external bodies.

It does not stop us from encouraging workers from other countries who have the skills we need to work alongside the hard working people of the UK to suit the UKs particular needs. Not to have open borders to suit the needs of others

iv. The UK should have total control over its waters and fishing industry. Without any interference from external bodies.

It does not stop us working in partnership with other countries to suit our particular needs. Not the needs of others

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

With a Clean Break Brexit along with other Brexit Party policies there is no need for additional taxation.

For instance:

This country could raise £200bn by: - Scrapping HS2 - Keeping the £13bn annual EU contribution - Recovering our £7bn from the European Investment Bank - Redirecting 50% of the foreign aid budget (£40bn over a five-year term).

Tis money will not only support the NHS (and other initiatives) in the short term, but will ensure there is dedicated money for medium and long term NHS initiatives as the need arises.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

There is no quick fix for this problem. But if one was to look to the future and build slowly, then the future of our High Streets could be on the up.

Apparently our aging population is the cause or some of the ills that beset the NHS.

Why not harness our aging population to bring back our High Streets.

Most retired people like to have a tea/coffee and cake, along with a chat.

Close the Pizza and Kebab shops in the High Street, open up more cafes, make the High Street a warm welcoming area for our aging population and make it all easy wheelchair access. As soon as there is a customer base, then other shops will follow.

Plus the local authority must slash the business tax and give incentives to open up new ventures.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

N/A

Michael Chantkowski (Green Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

-The climate and biodiversity crises are upon us. I support my party’s stance on ending subsidies to fossil fuels, supporting businesses to decarbonise and a change in the way in which our public transport is run, making it cheaper and reliable.

-Democracy/localism: Take power from Westminster! Washington needs a town council, so that local people have a say. We will increase annual funding for councils by £10 billion.

-Our local economy must stand on two feet; Nissan is one. We need a level-playing field for small businesses- introduce fines for large companies that fail to pay them and affordable credit.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

I support a final say referendum. It has become clear that:

A) There are powerful forces outside our country, including in Russia, which want to Brexit to happen so that both the UK and Europe are divided and weak.

B) The politicians who champion UK’s exit from the EU often champion doing away with regulations such as environmental, food safety and workers’ rights. They are than happy to commence a sell-out of our NHS to the highest bidder.

C) There are now serious concerns over the validity of the referendum due to foreign interference.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Yes. Billionaires and multinational corporations should fund public services, especially the NHS. We will increase corporation tax to 24% (from 19%) while exempting small/medium businesses, stop tax avoidance and evasion. We will tax income from investments/assets at the same level as the taxation of income from work, so that those who work for their income are taxed at the same rate as those who derive their income from wealth. Health, social care and public health are one system in reality, and because of this, we need one budget for all three and a commitment to free, universal services for all.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

The Green New Deal (worth £100 billion per year) the green party is proposing will transform the economy of this country, as well as our local economy. We will create a level playing field for small businesses, ensuring that their large competitors pay tax. We will free up funding by introducing credit guidance for traditional banks to increase their lending for small businesses- recently, we had to bail the banks. A green policy I particularly support is the reduction in VAT on food and drinks served in pubs, restaurants, as well entry to cultural establishments (e.g. galleries).

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The Northern Powerhouse is a flawed idea:

-it does not account for environmental costs (e.g. pollution)

-it is based on an unsustainable model

-it combines Yorkshire & The Humber with the North West and the North East- which is often starved of funds and investment, as they are channelled to the larger regions.

-it is run by unelected bureaucrats- It therefore lacks transparency and a democratic mandate.

What we need instead is an elected regional council for the North East and a true green revolution provided by the Green New Deal the greens have been arguing for since 2008.

Northumberland

Blyth Valley

Thom Chapman (Liberal Democrats)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

There are a number of key issues facing Blyth Valley, one of which has been a clear lack of proper representation. The previous MP took the people of Blyth Valley for granted and was never a strong enough voice for them in parliament and I would ensure I would actually listen to what residents were saying and make sure their voice is heard in Westminster. Furthermore, I would push for greater job creation across the constituency, not just the core areas of Blyth and Cramlington but also Seaton Sluice, Seaton Delaval and New Hartley

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Liberal Democrats have been clear that if we elect a majority government on December 12th then we’ll revoke article 50 within six minutes of Jo Swinson walking into Number 10. However, if we’re not able to achieve a majority then we will continue to support legislation for a second referendum and will campaign to remain. The Liberal Democrats have always been the only major anti-Brexit party and I’m proud to stand behind a message of stopping Brexit as will cause untold harm to Blyth Valley and the people who live in the constituency.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

We have faced year and years of dire Tory underfunding of our NHS and countless winter crises where the problems get worse. Liberal Democrats will put a penny on the pound of income tax and use this extra funding to help get our NHS back on track by raising £35.1 billion over the next five years. I believe an extra penny, not a huge amount for the majority of people, to help fully fund our NHS is a price well worth paying and starts the process of getting us back to an NHS we can be proud of.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Our high streets have suffered for years under the current Tory government. I will be committed to working with regional leaders in the development of long-term plans for the growth and development of Blyth Valley’s town centres. I will work with small business support services in the region to help small business owners and start-ups access support and funding. I will also work towards reforming both planning and business rates legislation to help our ailing high streets and to help create vibrant places for people to work, shop and socialise in.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

For those in Westminster, the Northern Powerhouse is a term reserved for the M62 corridor and not the north as an entire region. I’ve spent years working with key stakeholders across the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber to work on devolution proposals that would truly benefit us, not the half-baked proposals already suggested. We need to invest more in our infrastructure including the full HS2 route, the full Northern Powerhouse Rail proposal and other infrastructure projects which will generate a greener and fairer economy for us in the North. We’ve been ignored for too long and the North deserves its fair share.

Mark Peart (Brexit Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

Crime & Antisocial Behaviour

Policing

Youth development projects

Employment opportunities

Industrial decline

Tax breaks for SMEs

Discounted Business Rates for SMEs

Town centre decline (Blyth)

Discounted Business Rates for high street shops and businesses

Revised planning criteria for out of town shopping centres

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Leave!!!

Clean Break

Immediate freedom to negotiate trade deals

Exit from all EU institutions

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

No; any increases in public services can be funded by cancelling HS2 and halving overseas aid.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Discounted Business Rates for high street shops and businesses

Revised planning criteria for out of town shopping centres to make it harder to divert business from

the high street

Introduce online sales tax for businesses like Amazon that have no high street presence

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

Money - NP needs investment

Strategy - NP sounds good if you say it quickly, but what does it mean? What are its objectives

Coalition of politicians in the North to steer industrial regeneration and the levers that will make it

work

Hexham

Penny Grennan (Labour)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

Health care: our regional hospital Cramlington is not convenient for our outlying communities, especially in emergency situations. A&E services need to be re-opened in Hexham and physiotherapy taken back in house. Rural GP services need to expand to meet demand and “back door” privatisation ended.

Policing: there are no manned police stations between Haltwhistle to Newcastle, response times are huge, leaving rural communities vulnerable. Labour will restore community policing and frontline police numbers.

Rural transport: this is wholly inadequate and expensive. Public transport is no longer public and Labour will nationalise rail and restore local bus services

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

I believe that in order to bring the country together, and prevent serious damage to our economy, we must stop the Tory deal and prevent crashing out with no deal. Within 6 months, Labour will negotiate a good deal and hold a second referendum with remain and the new deal on the ballot. The new deal will include a customs union and alignment with the single market. It will protect jobs, employment, and the environment. It will avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland. It will provide security. The NHS will be protected from trade deals.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

9 years of austerity have seen the real wages of many fall. At the same time, we have seen a drastic decline in our public services, such as the NHS, on which we all depend. The top income earners have done very well over the last 9 years, not only in terms of income rises but also wealth. Labour’s plan is a fair one: those earning over £80,000, the top 5% of earners, should pay more tax. Large corporations should also pay more tax but also, crucially, be made to pay their fair share through a clamp down on tax avoidance.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

High streets are suffering because it is not a level playing field. Small local businesses cannot compete with the multi nationals and they need help. Labour would introduce fairer business rates for independent traders, markets and pubs. It would stop rogue landlords hiking up rents and would give the councils greater powers to act on empty shops. Personally, I think that a move to repopulate town centres would help to support small businesses through stimulating local shopping needs. Labour would also set up regional investment banks to invest in local businesses and communities. It would halt the closure of banks.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

Investment in one word, and Labour’s Green Industrial Revolution will bring that. Labour will invest £13 billion from its Green Transformation Fund into the North-East of England. This will include Crossrail for the North and, working with the private sector, investment in manufacturing facilities to support renewable energy including offshore windfarms, hydrogen production and distribution, electric vehicles, carbon capture and storage. 1.2 million houses and businesses will be connected to full-fibre broadband. Over 80,000 well-paid green jobs will be created. Labour will ensure that the North-East leads the Green Industrial Revolution, just as it led the first Industrial Revolution.

Stephen Howse (Liberal Democrat)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

Transport’s a big issue. The A69 road is a deathtrap; upgrades west of Hexham should be prioritised over a roundabout upgrade at Hexham which nobody asked for. There’s a problem with where some people are being sent to access healthcare services – I was in Bellingham the other day and one man told me his elderly mother has to travel for five hours by public transport to go to Cramlington. And finally, schools – with day-to-day budgets being cut by this government, some are struggling. If we want small rural schools in particular to be viable, we need to fund them properly.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Remain. There’s the hard-headed side of it, which is all about economic projections and the impact on household incomes – that stuff is really important, of course, and I don’t see why we would want to make ourselves poorer voluntarily. But even more important to me is the emotional argument in favour of Europe. My partner is an EU national, my brother lives in the EU - I have strong links to Europe. And let’s not forget that the peace the EU has helped to ensure is the exception, not the rule. The wartime generation voted Remain for that reason.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

I think we need to have an honest conversation, as a country, about this. We can’t go on pretending, as the Conservatives are, that we can enjoy taxation levels like Singapore while enjoying service levels like Sweden. I think people are generally okay with the idea of paying a little more if they know where their money is going – so the penny on income tax to fund the NHS is going down really well on the doorsteps. I think making, and winning, that case will be better than taking the Labour approach of simply saying “We’re going to clobber business”.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

I think there are plenty of examples across our region of high streets adapting to meet people’s wants and needs. Small, local businesses can’t compete with the online shopping giants on price because of economies of scale – but they can absolutely smash them when it comes to the quality of the shopping experience and the quality of the goods on offer. It’s not just about the businesses themselves, though – they need local councils to do their bit to support small local businesses and they need good access to finance when they’re starting out.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

It needs to be more than just a brand. Take Transport for the North as an example. Where is its funding? Where are its powers? What can it actually do to improve transport services in the North of England? Compare it with Transport for London and it’s night and day – TfL is about to spend another £3 billion upgrading one Tube line, while our Metro is still using trains from the 1980s. I think it’d also be helpful if the Northern Powerhouse actually covered the whole of the North. At the moment, it’s heavily focused on Manchester and Leeds.

Nick Morphet (Green Party)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

The Hexham constituency is not unique in that it is facing climate breakdown, a biodiversity crisis and a high flood risk. Fighting climate breakdown requires us to rapidly reduce our carbon emissions, and the Green Party's Green New Deal will do that. But we must also increase the absorption of carbon, and the constituency is very able to play its part. Woodlands and other natural ecosystems absorb carbon, benefit nature and slow the flow of water. By letting our unhealthy and treeless uplands return to nature we can simultaneously combat climate change, biodiversity loss and flooding. We call this “rewilding”.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

The Green Party believes that the UK is stronger in Europe, and it also believes that the EU benefits from UK membership. By leaving the EU, however, we will lose the ability to improve it from within. A divided society voted for Brexit, aided by an overly simplistic in/out referendum and influenced by some very dirty campaign tactics. The Green Party supports a People’s Vote, allowing people to choose between a specific deal and remaining in the EU. A good tailor measures twice and cuts once! The Green Party will also work hard to bring our divided society back together.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

The Green Party believes in world-leading public services run by the people, for the people - and it believes that these should be funded by a fair and progressive tax system. Such a system would tax the wealthiest, the unscrupulous (tax avoiders/evaders), those with assets such as land and those who pollute the environment. Those opposed to progressive taxation talk of “trickle-down economics”, telling us that money naturally flows from the wealthy to the poor. Try asking the 14 million people living in poverty in the (very wealthy) UK what they make of that! Progressive taxation is the only answer.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

The Northern Powerhouse needs a challenge to rise to, a target to aim for, infrastructural improvements to build upon and generous investment to set the ball rolling. Climate breakdown provides the challenge, and the need to reach net zero carbon by 2030 provides the target. The Green Party’s Green New Deal will provide the infrastructural changes and the generous investment needed to create a zero-carbon Northern Powerhouse fit for the twenty-first century. The Northern Powerhouse will become a critical part of the Green New Deal, ensuring a “just transition” to a cleaner, greener society in which nobody gets left behind.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The Northern Powerhouse needs a challenge to rise to, a target to aim for, infrastructural improvements to build upon and generous investment to set the ball rolling. Climate breakdown provides the challenge, and the need to reach net zero carbon by 2030 provides the target. The Green Party’s Green New Deal will provide the infrastructural changes and the generous investment needed to create a zero-carbon Northern Powerhouse fit for the twenty-first century. The Northern Powerhouse will become a critical part of the Green New Deal, ensuring a “just transition” to a cleaner, greener society in which nobody gets left behind.

Wansbeck

Stephan Psallidas (Liberal Democrat)

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

Jobs, health and transport. The Lib Dems will stop the job-destroying Brexit and invest billions in the new clean jobs of the future. The health of the local population is below average - we will add 1p onto income tax, funnelling £7bn a year extra to the NHS, social care and mental health. Transport in Wansbeck for those without a car is limited – we need more investment in walking, cycling and public transport like the Blyth and Tyne Railway.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Brexit is designed to enable its wealthy right-wing funders to slash welfare and weaken EU regulations on workers’ rights, food safety, and environmental and social protections which cost them money. The Government’s own figures show that Brexit will cost thousands of jobs in Wansbeck. Every Briton will lose their right to live, work, and study freely across a whole continent. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are the biggest cheerleaders for Brexit – they hardly have the UK’s interests at heart! The Labour MP for Wansbeck supports Brexit, but I cannot - a vote for me is a vote to Stop Brexit.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Most people understand that you can’t get something for nothing. The Tories have cut taxes (especially for their wealthy funders) and decimated funding for public services. Meanwhile Labour want to nationalise everything in sight, which is unnecessary and hugely expensive. The Lib Dems have been honest in saying that we will put 1p on income tax to directly boost NHS funding. We believe that clarity and honesty in taxation and spending is not only appreciated by the public, but vital for improving trust in politics.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

Shops in Morpeth, Ashington, Bedlington and Newbiggin are suffering like everywhere. The Lib Dems plan a major expansion of the ‘Future High Streets’ regeneration fund, and to require planning permission to convert shops into residential or office use. Most importantly we propose to abolish business rates and replace them with a Land Value Levy, which will encourage investment and transfer the taxation burden more onto the landowner.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

Overall the Northern Powerhouse has been heavily-focused around Leeds and Manchester. The initiative needs significantly more focus on the North East if it is to truly unleash pan-Northern growth, though we do recognise that this has been hampered by counter-productive Labour power struggles on Tyneside. Lib Dems believe that we need NP to move on rapidly from being a largely symbolic brand, to serious investment with results on the ground, which will permanently pull the economic centre of gravity away from London and the South East.