General Election: Meet the Southend East and Rochford candidates vying for your votes

IN the first of a series of pieces, your Echo puts the parliamentary candidates vying for your votes under the spotlight

We’ve invited all those seeking for your vote in the General Election on July 4 to answer a series of questions to help our readers make an informed decision on polling day.

In doing so, we hope you will not only get to know the policies and promises they stand to fight on if elected, but also gain an insight into the person who wants to represent you in Parliament for the next five years.

Labour Party: Bayo Alaba

Labour - Bayo Alaba (Image: Bayo Alaba)

Why elect me?

People in Southend East and Rochford are desperate for change and frustrated with the state of their city. Like them, I recognise the potential of our communities and that’s why I want to be the constituency’s first ever Labour MP.

I’m a former Parachute Regiment soldier, school governor, youth mentor and charity trustee.

As one of the pioneers of east London’s creative economy running my business for 22 years,

I’ve helped breathe new life into forgotten communities.

The Tories have let down the country and they’ve let down the people of Southend East and Rochford. My priorities as your MP will be to protect and enhance Southend’s rich cultural heritage, bring more jobs and investment to the area, and reinvigorate our high streets and communities. I’ll fight to ensure that jobs stay in the local economy and that our beaches are safe for everyone to enjoy. Only a Labour government will work from day one to tackle the crisis facing the NHS and work to give local people access to dentists once again.

That’s my commitment to you. I’ve served my country and now I want to serve you.

My biggest achievement

I have only recently turned my hand to politics. My biggest life achievement has to be becoming a parent. I was really emotional when my first child was born.

That moment, and being able to shape a young life since has been incredibly fulfilling and made me incredibly proud.

My funniest moment

Before we were married, my wife and I broke down on the junction to come on to Tower Bridge. We caused a pile up and caused a fair few angry reactions before the RAC came along!

My interests

I have been trying to squeeze in as much watching Euros as possible in between hitting the campaign trail. The Marlborough Head in Rochford have been very welcoming to catch a bite to eat whilst out doorknocking.

Best shop: Gossips in Great Wakering

Best Hairdresser: My daughter.

My inspiration

My eldest sister gave up going to university for a year to look after me and my siblings when our mum got ill.

We would have been in care otherwise and it taught me the importance of family.

My vision

My vision is to reanimate Southend city centre, the town of Rochford, and the communities of Shoebury and Great Wakering. I want people to be proud to say they live and work in this constituency.

Rochford possesses all the character, the history and the community spirit to be Essex’s answer to the similarly historic town of Rye in East Sussex.

Similarly, Southend city centre has the potential to be a safe, dynamic and bustling city that utilises the arts and cultural assets of our fantastic student population.

Front and centre to the reanimation of these areas would be fostering a supportive, and economically viable environment, for independent businesses to thrive, and for fledgling businesses to grow.

This area is brimming with talent. But both areas need a strong champion here in the constituency, and in Westminster, to support this vision.

I am the advocate this area needs with the vision to propel the constituency forward.

Lib Dem: James Allen

Lib Dem - James Allen (Image: James Allen)

Why elect me?

Having lived for 35+ years in both Southend and Rochford. I am acutely aware of the changes for the worse that have occurred over the last five years.

We are all worse now than we were five years ago, the Tory party seem to put their party and themselves above country and the people in this country. The gambling on the date of the election brings that selfish greed into sharp contrast.

We in Southend gave back to our community more than we take, in a myriad of small ways. I have been a magistrate, a parish councillor and chairman, giving and supporting our community, making it better for each and every one of us.

I would be honoured to represent this constituency.

I will work with purpose, responsibility, and service looking to bring business and development into the city. to see jobs back in the city, and a regeneration of our shopping areas, improvements in our health care, our schools.

I will work to end sewage being dumped into the estuary.

My philosophy, if elected would be:

• Southend, first and foremost

• Country, second

• Party, a distant, third.

My funniest moment

Walking past a major Hollywood star, smiling inanely at her; all the time wondering where I knew her from. Later my wife mentioned Jodie Foster had looked nice when she passed us.

My interests

I enjoy travel, history (American history), food and wine. I’m learning late in life the piano/keyboard.

My inspiration

My family – for providing encouragement when needed and yet allowing me the space to do what I wanted to do.

My biggest achievement

Being married to the woman I love for nearly 40 years.

My vision

My vision for Southend East and Rochford, is a safe constituency, safe from crime, safe to walk the streets at night.

A constituency with fully funded and staffed schools and NHS (GPs, dentists, doctors and nurses), a constituency with businesses that offer careers and stability.

Finally, a constituency with clean and safe recreation areas and seafront.

I want to encourage business to locate here; for council and government contract holders in the area to be required to set up offices in shopping areas. To invest more in schools/education and the NHS.

Confelicity: Lee Clark

Confelicity - Lee Clark (Image: Lee Clark)

Why elect me?

I’ve been living in Southend for 34 years having moved from Great Yarmouth when I was nine-years-old.

I grew up on a council estate in Great Yarmouth. It had an amazing community.

I lived on the Kursaal estate where it had an amazing community and everyone looking out for each other.

The reason you should vote for me is i’m real, I do a lot of work in the community and I’ve lived a life with many life experiences.

I’m not a politician but someone who has grown up with a single parent trying to put food on the table and we had many struggles growing up and moving around.

I will fight for everyone and do my best to make sure everyone is helped and looked after and receiving the right support they need, we need to give all our children the best possible start in life because they are the future.

A vote for me is your voice heard at Westminster.

My interests

I’m a serial fundraiser having raised over £350,000. Support Norwich city and Southend.

My biggest achievement

Having children, marrying my wife, and reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro last year.

Being a fundraiser allows me to help many people and my greatest political achievement would be if I was elected, I would be able to help even more amazing people every single day.

Funniest moment

I did the Full Monty at my wedding reception to help raise some money for a little girl. No one was expecting it and everyone was covering their eyes.

My inspiration

Watching my brother succeed in life, I’m incredibly proud of what he has achieved with hard work.

My vision

Our High Street can be the beating heart of the city again.

We as a party are very passionate about civic pride and if we all work together we really can make Southend the city to be proud of.

Green Party: Simon Cross

Green - Simon Cross (Image: Simon Cross)

Why elect me?

The people of Southend East and Rochford should elect me because I am a person who has lived here for 17 years in Kursaal ward and latterly Great Wakering so I have a full understanding of both the city and rural nature of the city.

I have tirelessly campaigned for our services (notably the NHS and our hospital) and also advocated for so many individuals and groups.

I feel this city has been left behind and would become a champion for the city and put the strongest bidding cases for funding for social housing, poverty ending support and for improved SEND, education, mental health and general infrastructure funding.

Finally, I am a champion of our environment and would put a stop to the farcical removal of our trees and the dumping of sewage in our precious water.

Poverty is not just about money and living standards, it is also about clean water, breathable air and pleasant surroundings.

Funny memory

I once sat next to my idol Deborah Harry of Blondie in the Washington Hotel in Sheffield and was so starstruck I could not speak for three hours, very unlike me.

My interests

I read incessantly, everything and anything. I love local live performances. I can cook pretty well and love eating. So many great places to eat in Southend East and Rochford.

My inspiration

My late sister was my biggest inspiration She always supported me, I miss her every single day. In her lifetime she never gave up on anything and inspired so many others.

My vision

The future of this city comes from my vast experience of other places which are vibrant and an attraction.

I love Barcelona and Prague but closer to home places like Brighton, Liverpool and Sheffield which all boast vast cultural quarters and a social and domestic offer which attracts people to visit and to make their homes.

Southend and Rochford are not too far from this but the administration lacks the vision to make the small and simple changes needed.

Conservative Party: Gavin Haran

Conservative - Gavin Haran (Image: Gavin Haran)

Why elect me?

My goal is to be an MP that is approachable for all my constituents, no matter their politics. I have life experience and expertise that I can use to support the residents of Southend and Rochford.

My background is in business and government. I was the first of my family to go to university. My mum was an NHS nurse. My dad escaped a civil war in Sri Lanka to come to the country he loves. I learned diligence, service, and patriotism.

I recently turned 40. My wife Eliza and I have a two-year old, Teddy. Like another Teddy, Sir Teddy Taylor, we are not originally from Southend or Rochford, but it is a place that we’ve come to know and love. I now live near Southend East station, and we are looking for a family home.

With “fresh” eyes I see the area’s unique features: its proximity to sea and the capital, rail links, the football club, the airport, history and heritage, tourism, nature and farmland, and great businesses. I want investing in healthcare, more bobbies on the beat and protecting the green belt.

My biggest achievement

The most important thing to me is my family. The challenges of life are tough for us all, especially when raising a child. Eliza is a tremendous support and inspiration, while Teddy teaches me as much as I teach him.

Funny memory

I sat down on stage for a speech and the bottom of the seat fell through, leaving me dangling through the frame. Probably the highlight of my speech.

My interests

Fitness, reading, being outside with my family.

Favourite restaurant: Il Pescatore off Southend High Street.

Favourite hairdresser: McQueen’s is a good barber on The Broadway.

Favourite shop: Kash’s shop in Woodgrange Drive caters for all conveniences with genuine customer service.

My inspiration

Sir Teddy Taylor was a model for how to be a good MP. Teddy was open, approachable, and listened. Many people have fond memories of him and how he helped them.

My vision

Southend has been a city for more than two years. It has so much potential, but we must address the problems.

Regeneration starts with those local issues that people have raised with m.

Delivering over £100m committed to local healthcare for A&E, elective surgery, diagnostics, and a new health centre. This scratches the surface but will begin to relieve some of the pressure for appointments.

I want to see 83 new police officers being trained up to be deployed where they are most needed.

Heritage Party: Bianca Isherwood

Heritage - Bianca Isherwood (Image: Bianca Isherwood)

Why elect me?

You can not keep electing the same parties and expect change! If you don’t fancy living in a country that is involved in multiple wars, then you should vote Heritage! I’ve not seen any other major party talk about this important issue during this campaign.

We are an anti-war party, who have consistently called for a ceasefire in the Palestine/Israeli conflict, to de-escalate and stop sending money and weapons to Ukraine, and to stop escalating tensions with Russia. We have never U-turned on these, or ‘just added’ this into our manifesto.

I have studied, worked and lived in Southend for 17 years, and now raise my children here. I am still currently experiencing the same issues as many of the other constituents in the area.

I am not a career politician, just a resident who has had enough of expecting those so out of touch to care enough to fix the problems the average person faces.

If you want to see a return to a common sense, prosperous society, vote for me!

My biggest achievement

As a result of a traumatic childhood I had selective mutism from around ages three to nine, I wouldn’t even answer the register at school or talk to my grandparents.

I became a charity street fundraiser, talking to random people, and went on to public speaking.

Funny memory

I ran in this year’s local elections, whilst canvassing in Westcliff I fell up five steps, broke my boots and hurt my knee, a lot.

My interests

Natural medicine, reading, art, visiting places of historical and cultural interest, urban exploring, watching and playing vintage 2D fighting games.

Music: 80s and 90s Hip Hop concerts.

Favourite restaurant: San Fairie Ann.

Favourite shop: Leigh Gallery Books.

Favourite hairdresser: Lara Hurley.

My inspiration

My children. And the strong people I meet in the constituency, who share their struggles.

My vision

No SMART City, free movement, no financial control, no data harvesting, less taxes. No Social credit systems and carbon credits. Everyone in safe, affordable, good quality and beautiful homes. Landlords keep up with repairs, no brutalist architecture and unaffordable luxury flats.

Heritage buildings maintained, empty lots regenerated.

Small and medium businesses thrive not just survive, and still take cash. Crime should be low as police can attend call outs without constraints. Our seas would be free of sewage!

Reform UK

Leslie Lilley is standing for Reform UK in next week’s General Election.

As the Echo went to press the parliamentary candidate had failed to meet our request to send in a candidate profile and picture to be used in the full round-up.