General Election 2024: Hull West and Haltemprice candidates on their priorities

It is less than a week to go before polling stations across the area open their doors to voters for the general election.

Ahead of polling day, Hull Live has asked set questions of all candidates standing in Hull's three constituencies. In Kingston-upon-Hull West and Haltemprice, there are six candidates standing.

It is a redrawn seat compared to 2019. It essentially consists of most of the former Hull West and Hessle constituency, but with the addition of the East Riding villages of Anlaby, Willerby and Kirk Ella.

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Labour Party - Emma Hardy

With reference to your background, what makes you the best candidate?

"This is not just politics; it’s personal. This area is my home, and I am the only candidate who lives in the constituency. I grew up in Newbald, have lived in Hessle for over twenty years, raised my children here, and taught in local schools for ten years before entering politics.

"My years as a teacher brought me face-to-face with the destructive policies of the Conservatives both in education and for the families of the children in my care. I realised what a big difference political decisions make to our lives, and it was this that motivated me to enter politics. What impacts our community impacts me and my friends and neighbours too, and we deserve better than the shambles of a government we’ve had for the last 14 years.

"I am proud to have earned a reputation as a hard-working local MP. If the voters of West Hull and Haltemprice choose me, they will receive the energy and dedication I have brought to the job from day one, along with my experience as an MP and my determination to be part of a Labour government to bring about the change this country needs. It really is time for change, and I know our country can be so much better than it is now."

What will be your priorities for Hull West and Haltemprice, if elected?

"When I talk to people on the doorstep, their priorities are those of the majority around the country: repair the damage of 14 years of neglect. That means making work pay, cutting NHS waiting lists, providing access to an NHS dentist, restoring public services like social care, and fixing the broken immigration system. If we sort those out - and Labour has fully costed plans to tackle all of those – that will improve the lives of so many in the constituency."

Reader-prompted question: If elected, how will you support education locally and what is your stance on the current Ofsted inspections regime?

"Education is key to our mission to break down barriers to opportunity. We will create a broader and richer curriculum and reform Ofsted, starting by ending one-word judgements and shifting the focus to improving schools with new regional teams. By ending non-dom tax status, closing tax loopholes and ending the VAT exemption for fee-paying schools we will fund the recruitment of 6,500 specialist teachers, 3,000 new nursery places and free breakfast clubs in every primary school to drive up attendance and standards."

Liberal Democrat - Linda Johnson

With reference to your background, what makes you the best candidate?

"Local people have told me that it’s time for change in Hull West and Haltemprice. If elected, I will work hard all year round, listen to local people and be that fresh voice that this area deserves.

"Far too many career politicians are out of touch and lack real-world experience. This is something I have gained through my varied career working in the NHS, the pharmaceutical industry, print media, and now in local government as a Councillor.

"I am passionate about getting those who live here a fairer deal, whether that be in health and social care, education or the economy."

What will be your priorities for Hull West and Haltemprice, if elected?

"The Liberal Democrats and I are committed to tackling the cost of living crisis, fixing our broken health service, and taking real action to stop sewage being pumped into our rivers and waterways. I am passionate about getting people here the fair deal they deserve.

"With the rising cost of living, more people are struggling to make ends meet, and that just isn’t good enough. We must give people more support to help them deal with this.

"Our NHS is vital, but we’ve seen it crumble under this Conservative government. I am campaigning for more GPs, so that people can see a doctor when they need one, and a real plan to fix our A&E and reduce waiting times.

"And, a vote for the Liberal Democrats on Thursday, July 4, is a vote to end the sewage scandal and hold water companies accountable for polluting our rivers and damaging the surrounding areas."

Reader-prompted question: If elected, how will you support education locally and what is your stance on the current Ofsted inspections regime?

"Investing in education is investing in our future but the Conservatives have underfunded education, let school buildings crumble and overseen a severe shortage of teachers. Far from preparing the next generation for the future, the Conservatives have failed our children.

"Parents in our community should not have to send their children to schools which have had their funding decimated by a Conservative government that has lost interest in providing high-quality education. The Liberal Democrats have a plan to fix our schools, by increasing funding per pupil above the rate of inflation, investing in new school buildings and reviewing further education funding."

Green Party - Kevin Paulson

With reference to your background, what makes you the best candidate?

"The Greens are the only party with a plausible plan to fix our public services and to achieve the carbon-neutral transition, through taxing the super-rich, emissions and unearned wealth, to raise an extra £50bn to £70bn per year. My background, as an academic and climate change researcher, seems ideal for an MP in a constituency that faces such severe flood risk from the sea.

"I have the combination of business skills, from managing large European research grants, people skills from working with a diverse student population, and an understanding of the increasing threat that climate change imposes on the constituency."

What will be your priorities for Hull West and Haltemprice, if elected?

"The constituency faces short and medium-term threats. Most immediately, people are facing a cost of living crisis. The costs of energy, food and mortgages, are crippling many families.

"They need immediate support while we transition to locally produced renewable energy and food, and reduced interest rates. This support will include a £15 per hour minimum wage for everybody, an immediate increase in many benefits, and improved services that people rely on.

"The constituency is protected by the new sea wall that was designed to last until 2040, but has proven to be completely inadequate. We need transparency over future sea defence upgrades and the inevitable, increasing flood risks from storm surges."

Reader-prompted question: If elected, how will you support education locally and what is your stance on the current Ofsted inspections regime?

"The Greens will abolish Ofsted, and move academies and free schools back into local authority control. Schools need to be far more directly accountable to parents and pupils. An extra £8 billion per year will ensure schools will be adequately funded to provide the education that best suits pupils."

Conservative Party - Rachel Storer

With reference to your background, what makes you the best candidate?

"I grew up in a working-class family, my father died when I was at primary school and my mother’s poor health meant I become a carer at a young age. My childhood taught me resilience, empathy and a passion to improve things for others. These are qualities that would make me an effective, hardworking Member of Parliament for our area.

"I had a career in the health and fitness industry, building a business with a strong ethos of helping people improve their health. This gave me a solid understanding of the issues facing business owners and their vital role as the backbone of a thriving local economy.

"I have always shown commitment to serving others and I currently volunteer at a charity for adults with poor mental health. I will use my skills and real-life experience to help local people and speak up for the residents of Hull West and Haltemprice."

What will be your priorities for Hull West and Haltemprice, if elected?

"Campaigning for better access to healthcare including GP appointments and dentists will be my priority. I will use my experience in business and local government to raise our profile and drive further investment into the city and surrounding areas.

"I am proud that the Conservative government has invested heavily in Hull including £20m for levelling up. There’s a real opportunity to showcase all that Hull West and Haltemprice has to offer and recognise the important role we play in the development of low carbon technologies and delivering green growth.

"Education and skills are key to realising our potential and I will work to secure our fair share of funding. We must go further, and I will campaign to ensure that electrification of the Hull rail line is secured and remains a top priority in the Network North plan. I will always put local people first and be a strong voice for our area."

Reader-prompted question: If elected, how will you support education locally and what is your stance on the current Ofsted inspections regime?

"A good education is the most important thing we can give our children. I will work with local education providers and support pupils to ensure our young people have access to the education they deserve. Under a Conservative government our children’s educational standard has vastly improved - England is now one of the top performing countries for education in the western world.

"We will boost school funding by £2bn extra in this year and next, the highest level ever. We pledge to build new and improve existing facilities for teachers and pupils backed by £1bn in funding alongside delivering new SEND (Special Education Needs and Disabilities) schools. We will boost teacher bursaries and increase funding for pupils and SEND provision.

"It's important that we have an accountable, robust, independent inspectorate for schools. But this should not place excessive pressure on our hardworking teaching staff. I personally believe we should have a shake-up which includes looking at the process and the one-word grading system."

SDP - Lucy Needham

Attempts to contact the SDP candidate in time were unsuccessful. The party is standing 124 candidates at this election. Reindustrialisation of the UK is a core element of the party's manifesto with a pledge to invest £10bn a year in manufacturing.

It would also allow couples raising children to fully share their tax allowances. The SDP's manifesto can be viewed here.

Reform UK - Julie Peck

Attempts to contact Julie Peck in time were unsuccessful. Reform UK's manifesto, or "Our Contract With You" as it is known by the party, pledges a freeze on non-essential migration, with a hike in National Insurance for most employers hiring foreign workers.

The party also wants to scrap net zero and the London to Birmingham HS2 leg. Its manifesto can be viewed here.