Yahoo News We asked Christchurch candidates six questions, here's what they said
IT is just one week to go until residents go to the polls in the general election.
With candidates from across the political spectrum standing in Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and the surrounding areas, the Daily Echo posed the same six questions to each, to see what they would say.
Each was given the opportunity to respond, with word limits for each answer to keep answers to the point.
We will be publishing the answers of every candidate, with candidates for each constituency grouped together.
This week, we have published the answers of all the candidates in Bournemouth East and Bournemouth West.
Today, we publish the answers for those up for election in Christchurch.
Read more from our ask the candidates series:
CONSERVATIVE: Sir Christopher Chope
What is your policy on housing?
To remove the current ban on building new homes in Christchurch on brownfield land such as the former police station and former gasworks sites. To increase the number of starter homes including making more available for shared ownership. To ensure there are more houses at affordable rents for local people.
Sir Christopher Chope
What is your policy on the NHS?
To end the trauma for patients and the waste of money caused by bed-blocking as exemplified by the 244 hospital beds in Dorset currently occupied by patients ready to leave. To increase provision of local GP and dentistry services and, specifically, to prevent Burton’s GP surgery becoming a vets practice.
What are your top three priorities for the area and why?
The most immediate priority is to look after the interests of those adversely affected by the closure of Parkfield School. Others are to preserve the character of our area by keeping the green belt sacrosanct and stimulating the local economy by reducing the burden of regulation and tax on businesses.
What is the biggest change you want to bring to your constituency?
A return to localism so that important decisions are made in Christchurch and East Dorset and residents do not have to be ruled from Bournemouth or Dorchester. The decision to abolish Christchurch and East Dorset as independent councils which, along with local people I strongly opposed, needs to be reversed.
What is the biggest issue that residents have raised on the campaign trail?
The adverse impact being caused, both locally and nationally, by the massive increase in population fuelled by uncontrolled immigration. This is reflected in mounting pressure on public services including unacceptable delays to accessing the NHS, a shortage of school places, insufficient affordable rented housing and deteriorating traffic conditions and congestion.
How will you split your time between Westminster and your constituency?
I shall continue to be in Westminster when the House of Commons is sitting and based at home in Christchurch when it is not. In this way I can hold surgeries and keep in touch with constituents while still being able to ask questions and participate fully in Parliamentary debates.
LABOUR: Joanna Claire Howard
What is your policy on housing?
Labour will deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation. The dream of home ownership is now out of reach for too many young people. Labour will change the planning rules and build 1.5 million new homes, prioritising the building of new social rented homes.
What is your policy on the NHS?
Labour’s commitment is to cut waiting times with 40,000 more appointments every week. Additional resources must come with fundamental reform so Labour’s plan is for a National Care Service, integrating health and social care. We will also address the crisis in mental health services with 8,500 additional staff.
Joanna Howard (left) (Image: Newsquest)
What are your top three priorities for the area and why?
Tackle the cost of living. Too many people are struggling to make ends meet.
Protect our natural environment. We must stop sewage being discharged into our sea, and get serious about climate change.
Support our invaluable local businesses and address anti-social behaviour to develop thriving high streets.
What is the biggest change you want to bring to your constituency?
Somerford West is the second most deprived area in Dorset. In the last financial year CAB received more than 4,200 enquiries regarding access to foodbanks. I would work with stakeholders to support the most vulnerable, and to do all I can to reduce the reliance on foodbanks by so many.
What is the biggest issue that residents have raised on the campaign trail?
Not being able to get an NHS Dentist has come up regularly. Labour has a Dentistry Rescue Plan that will offer 700,000 more urgent care appointments. There must be a review of the national dental contract, shift the focus to prevention and improve the recruitment and retention of dentists.
How will you split your time between Westminster and your constituency?
Like most MPs I will be in Westminster for the important debates to represent the people of Christchurch. I will return home every week, where my young family live, to hold surgeries, attend community events and be available to meet residents.
LIBERAL DEMOCRAT: Mike Cox
What is your policy on housing?
I would prioritise building old fashioned council homes for those in need using so called brownfield sites and ensure there was sufficient infrastructure such as schools, dentists and doctors in place to cope with the additional pressure.
What is your policy on the NHS?
The NHS and dealing with social care is the number one priority. Increasing funding for social care and cancer cannot come soon enough. Prioritising funding to unlock backlogs in terms of beds and operations is a must. Delivering on the right to see a GP in seven days is a key promise.
(Image: BCP Council)
What are your top three priorities for the area and why?
The top three priorities for Christchurch and East Dorset is as follows:
Resolving the contamination of the local rivers of excess nutrients and sewage that has led freeze on new homes.
Work with local businesses and councils to revitalise our town centres.
Create better transport links through investment in infrastructure and active travel.
What is the biggest change you want to bring to your constituency?
Christchurch and East Dorset needs a local champion not someone more interested in Parliamentary procedures. The quality of our rivers and local environment is crucial to the long-term health of our communities. I want to get investment into renovating our infrastructure to enable sustainable development which means ensuring we have sufficient doctors and dentists to cope.
What is the biggest issue that residents have raised on the campaign trail?
Residents have raised a large number of concerns but the overwhelming issue has been that “nothing seems to work anymore”. A large part of what we rely on such as the NHS, the police service, local councils and our water infrastructure are in danger of falling apart.
How will you split your time between Westminster and your constituency?
I will predominantly be based in the constituency with a constituency based office and team. I will attend Westminster only when required by parliamentary business.
GREEN PARTY: Susan Graham
What is your policy on housing?
To solve the current crisis:
Provide 150,000 new council houses a year.
End Right to Buy, so these homes belong to the community.
Introduce rent controls and end no-fault evictions.
Introduce a local authority-led programme to insulate homes, provide no-fossil-fuel heat and adaptation to extreme weather.
What is your policy on the NHS?
Immediately end NHS under-funding.
Pass the NHS Reinstatement Bill to abolish wasteful competition within the NHS, re-establish public bodies and public accountability, and restrict the role of commercial companies.
Access to an NHS dentist for everybody.
Ensure dignity in old-age and for the disabled.
What are your top three priorities for the area and why?
Clean energy infrastructure, with community ownership - to tackle climate emergency, reduce bills and benefit the community.
Resilience to climate change impacts. Flooding is a huge concern in Christchurch.
Clean rivers and sea. Our rivers are ecologically unhealthy and sewage flows into the sea at our beaches.
What is the biggest change you want to bring to your constituency?
I want to see my constituency innovative in addressing the climate and energy crises. I envisage secure energy and affordable bills by moving to a range of renewable energy technologies – onshore and offshore wind, solar panels on all new homes, expanded capacity for energy storage, investment in skills and training.
What is the biggest issue that residents have raised on the campaign trail?
Climate and nature. Protecting people and the environment from climate breakdown “before it’s too late”; stopping sewage spills that threaten wildlife and public health; flood risk areas; affordable renewable energy; protection of nature by preventing overfishing and rewilding our countryside. Constituents demand stronger, faster environmental action.
How will you split your time between Westminster and your constituency?
I have lived in this beautiful area for several decades and would not consider moving. However, there is an excellent train link between Christchurch and central London. I would be happy to commute to London, as do many people in this area, while being available for my constituents.
INDEPENDENT: Simon McCormack
What is your policy on housing?
A home is a basic need. We currently have 30 million homes for a population of 68 million. The average house price in Christchurch is 13 times the average income. This isn’t sustainable, and I would support any measures to build more homes and reduce the number of vacant properties.
What is your policy on the NHS?
Rather than looking at the NHS as one entity, each NHS trust needs an independent review to assess what is working and what is not. The constant change in ideological direction since the NHS was founded has created a complex mess and each mess is unique in each trust.
(Image: BCP Council)
What are your top three priorities for the area and why?
Build more homes so that people’s basic needs are addressed.
Increase the amount of police officers on the streets so people feel safe. bring down the cost of living so that people lives feel fulfilled, rather than just existing or struggling.
What is the biggest change you want to bring to your constituency?
An increase and expansion of the neighbourhood policing team. Currently crime often doesn’t get investigated and the perpetrators caught. This has led to unsafe streets and the criminals believing they can do what they like. We must take back control of law and order within our constituency.
What is the biggest issue that residents have raised on the campaign trail?
Housing, crime and the cost of living. All these things would be high priority for me if elected.
How will you split your time between Westminster and your constituency?
As Westminster is only a two hour train ride away, I’d be looking to be in Westminster for key votes and meetings. Any other time I feel that the MP should be in the constituency attending key events, like parish council meetings or resident association meetings.
UKIP: Steve Unwin
What is your policy on housing?
High housing costs are due to housing demand massively exceeding supply. Net migration was 685,000 in 2023 but just 246,700 new home completions were registered in the 12 months to March 2023. Unaffordable housing for those who were born and struggle to live here isn’t being addressed, let alone tackled.
What is your policy on the NHS?
UKIP is committed to the NHS as a service ‘free at the point of delivery’ and oppose privatisation. However, unlike Labour and other socialist-style parties, we are not ideologically opposed to using private enterprise either within it or to complement it where this can improve cost effectiveness or efficiency.
What are your top three priorities for the area and why?
Control immigration. Our infrastructure needs breathing space after excessive over-development
Break-up the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council monstrosity, to return the “local” into local government
This country is being led in the wrong direction. Our economy and agriculture are faltering due to crippling ‘net zero’ costs.
What is the biggest change you want to bring to your constituency?
Many who attend foodbanks are in such dire straits that they need additional support to deal with issues such as debt, family breakdown, addiction and poor physical or mental health or need employment or legal advice. UKIP would ensure that a professional advisor is funded and provided to each foodbank.
What is the biggest issue that residents have raised on the campaign trail?
Immigration. Britain has become addicted to mass immigration. Instead of training our own young people, we get out our fat imperial cheque book and import labour (already trained - by generally much poorer countries). This lowers wages, divides communities and harms social cohesion.
How will you split your time between Westminster and your constituency?
I would split my time as required to fulfil my duties, which would become clearer once I have replaced Sir Christopher Chope. This is a two-horse race. Everyone knows Labour/Lib Dems/Greens cannot win here. From the last time we contested Christchurch, it’s clear: only UKIP can defeat the Conservatives.
ANIMAL WELFARE PARTY: Sasha Jolliffe Yasawi
What is your policy on housing?
Prioritise creating sustainable and affordable homes, including social housing. Collaborate with government, developers, and local authorities to streamline planning processes. Focus on brownfield developments and improving existing social housing stock to address homelessness and waiting lists. Utilise vacant properties efficiently to meet housing demands, especially in town centres.
What is your policy on the NHS?
Promote plant-based diets to improve public health and reduce NHS costs. Focus on illness prevention by tackling conditions like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease early. A plant-based food system can help prevent future pandemics and combat antibiotic resistance, ensuring a healthier population overall.
(Image: Sasha Jolliffe)
What are your top three priorities for the area and why?
Combat climate and biodiversity crises by prioritising these in decision-making.
Enhance public transport to reduce emissions and traffic congestion, particularly around key routes like Barrack Road.
Address water pollution from agricultural waste to protect health and animals. Additionally, improve street cleanliness and maintenance, addressing issues like litter and drug paraphernalia.
What is the biggest change you want to bring to your constituency?
Implement sustainable practices in farming, transport, and housing to improve environmental health and animal welfare. Promote plant-based diets and end harmful agricultural practices, reducing pollution and improving public health. Enhance public transport infrastructure for reduced emissions and better quality of life, addressing traffic issues and moving towards carbon neutrality.
What is the biggest issue that residents have raised on the campaign trail?
Residents have highlighted traffic chaos, lack of affordable housing and dirty streets, including issues with litter, pavement upkeep, and drug paraphernalia. We aim to enhance public transport, create more affordable housing and improve street cleanliness through sustainable practices and community initiatives.
How will you split your time between Westminster and your constituency?
Balance Parliamentary duties with regular local engagements, ensuring constituents' concerns are addressed. I will be accessible to residents through scheduled visits, community events, and regular communication channels, ensuring that both national and local issues are effectively managed.
Robin Thomas Adamson (Reform UK) and Trevor Parsons (Social Democratic Party) did not respond to these questions in time for publication.
