General Election Conservative Candidate - How can I help?

[Blah Blah]

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

Here are my questions to the 'candidate'.

1/ People have been threatened with eviction in Southwark and ED because of welfare reforms. What would you propose to do about that?

2/ There are several cases of people in ED currently being denied ESA because they have failed a work capability assessment. They have appealed but are only allowed to apply for JSA whilst waiting appeal, which as you know requires them to declare themselves fit for work in order to qualify for it. How do you propose to help those people whilst they wait for anything up to a year for an appeal and tribunal to be heard, and are left with no benefit they can apply for?

3/ Similarly there are several cases with people with mental health problems being sanctioned and left with no benefits (they shouldn't be on JSA of course). How do you propose to help those people?

[Loz]

Blah Blah - Stop being a meathead. Admin has set the terms of the debate.

[Blah Blah]

I'm not being a meathead Loz. This women is going to stand for MP at the next General Election, and last time I checked, General Elections are fought on national issues?

I disagree with Admin, which it my right to do, but I will respect the request and therefore have kept my questions relevant to local people. And btw, an MP is exactly whom a person stuggling with the above problems will turn to. I am interested to hear if a Conservative candidate will represent their interests before the party line, that's all. They are perfectly fair questions to ask of someone who is clearly thinking ahead to trying to get elected.

[aquarius moon]

A newbie to the forum isn't usually this outspoken within a few days of joining.

Maybe they've been here before......and before........and before.......?!

[EDmummy]

Bawdy-nan, is this in secondary school? As far as I understood, school dinners are free for all in primary school (thanks to local Labour Party - pre-dating Coalition policy). At secondary school, I believe it's available to low earning families via application.

bawdy-nan Wrote:

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> I notice on your twitter feed that you say that

> you and the Dulwich conservatives are "fighting

> for the best interests of local residents". What

> would you say that you and the DCs consider they

> are?

>

> 1. For example, my daughter attends a LOCAL school

> and some of her friends are unable to eat a meal

> at lunchtime because they live in poverty what do

> you intend to do about that? Do you support

> extending the criteria for access to free school

> meals to families on low incomes?

>

> 2. Your constituency already has a majority of

> renters over property owners and this proportion

> is predicted to grow to 59% of the constituency

> population by 2021 can you outline here how you

> intend to support the rights of renters over

> landlords please.

>

> 3. I notice on your twitter feed that you appear

> to have the ear of Nicky Morgan and that she

> "supports" what you do in Dulwich re school

> places. Can you make it clear here what your

> position on new secondary school vs primary school

> is please.

[Blah Blah]

No aquarius moon, I have not been here before, but I do have a particular interest in welfare and mental health issues.

[bawdy-nan]

Yes, it is a secondary school. Free schools meals are only available to a very small demographic which often excludes families on very low incomes (receipt of working tax credit for example means you can't access fsm). I raised it because of the extremely powerful report from the childrens society which raised it too. Worth reading...

https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/At%20What%20Cost%20Exposing%20the%20impact%20of%20poverty%20on%20school%20life%20-%20Full%20Report.pdf

Evidence to the report suggests 700,000 children living in poverty not eligible for free school meals. I don't have the stats for Southwark but as the borough has relatively high rates of poverty this is relevant.

[reshamkotecha]

Wow I wasn't expecting so many responses in such a short time! Thank you all for taking the time to pass on your thoughts, issues and questions. I will be spending the day in Dulwich Village tomorrow (and would be delighted to meet anyone who happens to be in the area) so will endeavour to answer all of your questions by the end of the weekend. I certainly did not intend this to be electioneering - the forum seems to me to be the best way to make myself accessible to residents. I am definitely able to represent residents - I have already been approached by people to help with issues and am happy to work with local cllrs of all parties, local authorities and to contact Ministers if it will mean achieving a positive outcome.

In short my aim and priority is to do the best I can for those living in Dulwich & West Norwood. I think MPs sometimes forget that they should serve the interests of their constituents and I want to focus on things that matter to residents such as making sure every child has access to a good school and that we are able to do things such as increase the number of GP appointments to residents. I am aware of the acute shortage of secondary school places and that is why I will be supporting a secondary school on the Dulwich Hospital site and also why I am strongly supporting the application by the Gipsy Hill Federation to open a secondary school locally.

I do not agree with MPs being able to "fiddle" with expenses and maintain their jobs and whilst most MPs do their best for their constituents, I think others need to remember their purpose is to serve the best interests of their constituents. It is a problem with the system and something that should be toughened up. With regard to council tax funding - I am aware that residents in Southwark pay ?530 a year more than those living in Wandsworth - something I fundamentally disagree with and am raising as an issue to the council.

With regard to engaging with voters - I am doing my best to meet as many people as possible through knocking on doors, giving talks at schools, attending resident's association meetings and holding surgeries. If anyone would like to meet me to discuss local issues I would be delighted to arrange it.

I trust that this will answer some of the questions and will ensure I get to the rest as soon as I can!

Once again, thank you for taking the time to share your concerns and questions with me.

[se22cat]

With all due respect, the thing is that we have James Barber and his team have consistently done a fantastic job of looking after the area and he does his best to address issues posted here. Not saying things couldn't be improved, but when dealing with Southwark Council and its funding issues (and somewhat all too cosy relationships with contractors) the local Liberal team do exemplary work. And in my non partisan opinion you'll have a very hard time winning any support over them, especially due to the policies and attitudes displayed by your party.

Barber wins, flawless victory.

[adonirum]

reshamkotecha, thank you for addressing my question, I wonder if you feel the inequality in the law (that I refer to) needs changing.

se22cat, understand your sentiments completely, but these individuals represent different levels of government. James Barber is a local (very good) councillor, this is a candidate for national politics. Also, you have hardly re-discovered the wheel "somewhat cosy relationships with contractors" this has gone on since time immemorial at the local golf club, freemasons lodge, etc etc.

[se22cat]

adonirum, you can tell my disconnect from politics demonstrated by my poorly constructed response to the thread.

Oh, agreed regarding the contractors, simply posted it to illustrate (badly) how progress is made, but also a lot of waste and the same work covered several times over in some cases due to the councils relationship with contractors, but that particular issue not being the fault of our local councillors. Am well aware of this not being a new development, the same thing was going on here in the early 80's also, and no doubt long before that.

[Shuggy]

reshamkotecha Wrote:

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> I am aware of the acute shortage of

> secondary school places and that is why I will be

> supporting a secondary school on the Dulwich

> Hospital site and also why I am strongly

> supporting the application by the Gipsy Hill

> Federation to open a secondary school locally.

Resham, Can I please just confirm that you don't mean that you are supporting the Gipsy Hill school to open ON the hospital site?

You may be aware that local parents have been fighting to open a much needed local school for East Dulwich children on the hospital site. The last thing anyone needs is the Gipsy Hill school there. I understand that proposal is to work as a feeder school for that federations existing group of primaries in and around Gipsy Hill. So it would not be for local children.

I'm surely being paranoid here, but could you please just clarify that you mean that you are supporting either/ or of the Charter or Haberdasher's bids to open a local secondary for local kids?

Many thanks

[first mate]

And not supporting the Harris bid to open a primary school on the Dulwich Hospital site.

[Bumpkin]

Resham, you raise the issue of our council tax being higher than Wandsworth as being a major issue. I'm presuming you want to reduce Southwark's tax? If so, what do you propose to cut in order to fund this? Are you suggesting that your priority is to win in a race to the bottom in terms of council tax paid and public services provided or do you have a really good way of reducing tax without any job losses or service reductions?

[ths0105]

adonirum Wrote

>

> se22cat, understand your sentiments completely,

> but these individuals represent different levels

> of government. James Barber is a local (very good)

> councillor, this is a candidate for national

> politics.

...unless I am mistaken, JB will stand as the LibEem candidate at the next general elections.

[sedm]

Ths0105 - you're right, James Barber is standing as Lib Dem candidate. It's confirmed on the candidates list on the Lib Dem website

[hornimanslope]

Just come across this (until now mainly been a lurker) but ALL of the questions seem to me to be perfectly fair questions to direct at someone putting himnself forward for a NATIONAL general election.

I think we are all intelligent enough to know that, because of the way the British electoral system works, the candidate, in his endeavour to attain his objective will have to win local votes.

But it is not up to him or anyone else in my opinion to dictate what polite questions can and cannot be put to him.

We are not peasants.

[StraferJack]

Suuuuuure

[johnie]

Or her.

[hornimanslope]

Apologies for my ignorance.

Should/have googled the name.

Other points/the core point still stands.

Otherwise we will end up with a government decided by what folks think should happen to the litter bin at the end of the street.

Though have to admit that if things worked like that world history might be different.

[Peggy37]

I am actually horrified that you appear to be considering campaigning to lower our council tax. I have no idea what Wandsworth provides for its residents with its lower charge, but I can tell you that Southwark is struggling hugely to provide services with the council tax cap in place. I am unfortunately, like many people in the borough, trying to access care and therapeutic services, in my case for a disabled child, but I know of others with elderly relatives and vulnerable adults to care for. We are told all the time that, thanks to cuts and the cap, services can no longer be provided, or have been reduced. I have seen social workers leave and not be replaced, we have lost OT and physio posts, funding for what I would view as essential front line services slashed. This is funding to help us care for vulnerable, sick and elderly people.

I am thoroughly sick of this government trumpeting its freeze on council tax, as if this had no effect on people. I for one (and I realise I don't speak for everyone here) would happily spent an extra ?10/20 a month on my council tax if it would help our local authority provide services. It would feel like a drop in the ocean compared to all the other living costs that are soaring while my public sector pay remains virtually frozen. One of our local councillors once told me that our health and social care joint working used to be viewed as best practice; now it is non-existent. But hey, our council tax is capped.

I'd also urge you to visit other parts of your prospective constituency than Dulwich Village. You may find residents in other areas have different preoccupations.

[david_carnell]

And obviously should become our local MP you are aware that you have no power at all over council tax. That's set by the, and the clue is in the name here, council.

Which is currently a Labour-run council.

How would you work with them to ensure the best for local residents?

[hornimanslope]

david_carnell Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> And obviously should become our local MP you are

> aware that you have no power at all over council

> tax. That's set by the, and the clue is in the

> name here, council.

>

>

What a wonderful on the nail post.

So Miss local has been trying to play a national game - but getting it spectacularly wrong.

I see this thread as test not only of the candidate, who walked into it, but of this forum's attitude to free speech and debate, so very much hope that it isn's closed down for any dodgy reasons.

And it is all of course perfectly polite.

In the meantime, the electioneering candidate seems to have gone rather quiet.

Any chance of a return?

[adonirum]

sedm Wrote:

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> Ths0105 - you're right, James Barber is standing

> as Lib Dem candidate. It's confirmed on the

> candidates list on the Lib Dem website

ths0105 & sedm, will freely admit I didnt know that, Good, should be a "shoe-in"?, also probably/possibly makes this thread a bit of a waste of the O.P's time, seeing as you're not now going to win!!!!!! Sorry.....

[Loz]

adonirum Wrote:

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> ths0105 & sedm, will freely admit I didnt know

> that, Good, should be a "shoe-in"?, also

> probably/possibly makes this thread a bit of a

> waste of the O.P's time, seeing as you're not now

> going to win!!!!!! Sorry.....

The phrase is "shoo-in".

James would need a double-digit swing from Labour to take the seat. I think that will be difficult - and I'm (generally) a LibDem voter. He'll probably get good support from the East Dulwich area, which will help, but the constituency is much bigger than that.

The Tory candidate needs a slightly bigger swing to take the seat.