GE2019: Q&A with the candidates standing for the Easington constituency

Clare Ambrosino (Conservative)

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

1. We need to Get Brexit Done. Only the Conservatives have an agreed plan in place allowing us to leave as soon as the new Government is formed. No re-negotiation, no second referendums. No stalling.

2. Employment & regeneration. There is so much potential in Easington. I would work with the local business community, developing investment plans to create long term employment across the region. I would foster collaboration between academic institutions and business enterprise to match future talent with emerging job opportunities.

3. Services. That means our police force, hospitals, schools, pre and after school clubs and youth services. Every person in Easington should feel supported and I will fight for the funding we need to regenerate this community.

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

The real divide now on Brexit is between those people who want to ignore the referendum result like the Labour Party, and those like me, who believe in democracy and think we should deliver on the will of the people. Whichever way people voted at the election, most people I meet say they want to get Brexit done. My message to those seeking a second referendum is that politicians are supposed to do as they say they will and not go back on their word. Voters of Easington have my word. I will vote in favour of the Brexit deal so we can leave the EU in January.

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

The NHS is probably the most important and supported institution in this country. The Conservative party has pledged the biggest cash injection into the NHS in its history, as part of the long term plan for the NHS. But without a healthy economy, all the warm words and promises will amount to nothing. That’s why it's so important we support business and enterprise - they create the jobs and the money to spend on our vital public services.

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

A thriving high street is crucial for a thriving community. Rents must be affordable and competitive and parking free and unrestricted. There should be efficient, electric public transport. It is vital to encourage collaboration across business, community, voluntary organisations and local authorities, in order to make the high street shopping a family friendly experience. Business owners should collaborate to decide the right mix of independent shops, bars, restaurants and cafes to attract. In addition, the high street should provide a showcase for local products, crafts and locally produced goods which reflect the rich heritage of the area, providing an experience which cannot be replicated on line.

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

The Northern Powerhouse should recognise County Durham’s potential as an economic driver for business and tourism. In addition we need MPs and a Local Authority working together to ensure that Peterlee, Seaham and the villages are not left behind in favour of Durham City. The £50m earmarked for a new HQ in Durham City Centre would be far better spent on jobs, training, business start-ups and better housing in East Durham! Easington needs the housing, roads, public transport and skilled workforce ready to take advantage of and benefit from a stronger regional economy which the Northern Powerhouse is working to achieve.

Dominic Haney (Liberal Democrat)

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

• Jobs - A Liberal Democrat government would remain in the EU, which is better for trade and jobs.

• Poverty - this is a huge issue affecting this area, with 8,425 emergency food parcel handouts in County Durham between April and September, a 9% increase. Most of these are linked to Universal Credit. Lib Dems would reduce the time for the first Universal Credit payment from 5 weeks to 5 days.

• Health - Despite hardworking staff the NHS is struggling locally and nationally due to underinvestment. The Lib Dems would increase income tax by 1p and put it into the NHS.

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

A Liberal Democrat government would stay in the EU. The EU is our largest trading partner and remaining makes it easier to buy and sell goods and services, which is better for jobs and economic growth. The £50 billion we will save by remaining in the EU can be used to invest in the quality schools and public services we need. Being in the EU helps us play a vital role in global problems that require global solutions - be it climate change or limiting the power of multinational corporations. We are more powerful being in the EU than outside it.

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

Liberal Democrats would increase income tax by 1p to invest in the NHS. This would raise £7billion extra each year for spending on health and social care. Without this forward-thinking plan to increase spending on the NHS we cannot tackle the crisis in social care, invest in mental health services, or solve the growing health inequalities and stalling life expectancy affecting the UK. The Lib Dems want to bring together NHS, social care, and public health into one seamless, effective health and social care system, with pooled budgets and joined-up care for patients and their families.

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

Liberal Democrats are the party of business and understand that both investment and protections are needed to create vibrant, busy high streets and town centres. We would create a new ‘start-up allowance’ to help businesses with their living costs in their first few weeks, making it easier for people to create new businesses. The Lib Dems would also close the planning loophole that lets property developers to convert offices and shops into residential properties. This move protects our high streets by keeping shops and businesses in town centres rather than private homes.

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

The North East needs greater control over decision making as well as investment to make the Northern Powerhouse work for us. The Conservatives think that the Northern Powerhouse goes as far as Manchester and Leeds, and Labour have taken the North East for granted for decades. The Lib Dems would not only continue to invest in the Northern Powerhouse, we would create a £50billion Regional Rebalancing Programme which the North East could access to ensure that investment is focused here. We would also give local councils and our region the power to make the decisions that will benefit our area.

Graheme Morris (Labour)

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

Labour created the NHS, and after the biggest funding squeeze since its foundation, only Labour will give the NHS the funding it needs and protect it from the Trump Trade Deal sell off.

Labour’s National Education Service will deliver lifelong learning free at the point of use. We will abolish tuition fees so our young people are not burdened with debt and we will properly fund our schools after a decade of Tory and Lib Dem cuts.

A National Transformation Fund will deliver £400 billion to upgrade our economy and the establishment of Regional Development Banks will deliver local investment to secure the jobs of the future such as those that will be created under Labour’s Green Industrial Revolution.

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

I voted to respect the referendum result and backed the Withdrawal Agreement Bill to let Britain move on from Brexit. However, Boris Johnson withdrew the Withdrawal Agreement when parliament wanted a reasonable time at Committee Stage to scrutinise the Agreement. Having had a clear majority at Second Reading had the Prime Minister pressed ahead rather than calling a General Election, Parliament would now be voting on the Withdrawal Agreement.

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

Labour will not increase Income Tax or National Insurance for 95% of taxpayers. Those individuals and corporations that profit most from our society will be asked to pay their fair share to fund the services and infrastructure needed to give everyone the opportunity to succeed. I think it is only fair that those who benefit most from our economy make a fair contribution to society.

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

Our high streets need more customers with more disposable incomes. Labour will introduce a real living wage of £10 an hour and use the savings to public finances to help small businesses manage the extra cost. We will deliver justice for the WASPI women and change the Mineworkers Pension Scheme Surplus Sharing Arrangements putting more money in people’s pockets in this constituency. Labour’s Regional Development Banks will invest in our communities and local businesses, and we will introduce fairer business rates so high streets, independent shops, markets and pubs receive the support they need.

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

The Northern Powerhouse is a meaningless soundbite created by the Tory Press Office, as a poor man’s alternative to much needed meaningful investment in the North East. Labour will deliver investment into our regions by creating Regional Development Banks devolving the power and money our regions need to upgrade our local economy to close the North South divide created by the Tories. Voting Labour is an opportunity to deliver real change, that will bring tangible benefits to individuals and to the communities of East Durham in place of the empty rhetoric we have seen over the last decade.

We are still yet to receive responses from Brexit Party candidate Julie Maughan and North East Party candidate Susan Mcdonnell, these will be added as soon as we receive them.