Express & Star

100 word manifestos - Sandwell

Every candidate standing for Parliament in Warley, West Bromwich East and West Bromwich West is invited to give us their 100-word manifestos.

Published

The * next to a name means they're either the incumbent MP or the candidate trying to hold the seat because the incumbent is standing down.

If you are a candidate whose short manifesto is missing from this page, please get in touch.

Email political editor Daniel Wainwright at daniel.wainwright@expressandstar.co.uk

Warley

Robert Buckman (Green)

I have spent most of my life in the Black Country and moved to Smethwick 12 years ago, where I live with my wife and newborn daughter. I am a chartered management accountant and run a small business providing financial and accountancy advice to a range of charities, social enterprises and community associations.

Through my work I see firsthand the damage government cuts are having on the charity sector; many organisations are at the brink of collapse, losing vital support to the most vulnerable people in society. The only way to save these critical resources is to reverse austerity and increase funding through local authorities.

Pete Durnell (UKIP)

I have lived in Warley for 25 years, mostly working locally in IT. I believe politicians should assist, support, and work for those who elected them, not themselves. My priorities will include improving GP access and developing partnerships between local schools, colleges and employers, ensuring local people have the right skills to enter the workplace. UKIP won one council ward in 2014, and finished second to Labour in every other contested. It's clear that UKIP provide the only realistic opposition to Labour in Sandwell, and that UKIP really can win in Warley.

Cath Smith (Lib Dem)

Awaiting response

John Spellar (Lab)*

What my constituents want is a decent job, a nice home and neighbourhood, with clean, safe streets, a good education for their kids, an NHS available when they need it and a decent retirement.

That is why Labour, who brought in the Pensioner Bus Pass, will guarantee to keep it; will spend money on the NHS, not pointless reorganisations; will build more homes; will make sure West Midlands Councils, like Sandwell, get their fair share of Government funding for schools, Fire, Police and Council services, not unfair cuts and will expand real apprenticeships for our youngsters

Tom Williams (Con)

My priorities are ensuring Warley gets its fair share of the benefits of the strong economic recovery now underway; fighting to ensure residents have access to good local state schools, skills training and an increased number of apprenticeships; campaigning on local health issues so that all have the best chance of health and wellbeing; working for the preservation and enhancement of our local environment, so Warley is a great place to live and work.

I also support efforts to better control net migration of people to the UK, and to secure an In-Out referendum on the EU.

West Bromwich East

Flo Clucas (Lib Dem)

Awaiting Response

Steve Latham (UKIP)

I am West Bromwich born and bred, a proud patriot and Black Country man and I say Yes to an NHS free at the point of delivery; no tax on the minimum wage; housing priority for local people; affordable energy; scrapping hospital parking charges; no to unlimited immigration; no more

£55m a day membership fees to the EU; no more £12 billion a year in foreign aid and no more bedroom tax or mansion tax.

With your support I'll be your voice locally and nationally.

Barry Lim (Green)

Awaiting Response

Olivia Seccombe (Con)

If elected as your MP, I promise to listen to your concerns and work hard for you, your families and our community. My priorities will be to deliver the best schools and skills for young people in Sandwell; support and encourage local businesses – the lifeblood of the local economy;

deliver an effective and controlled immigration policy; regenerate West Bromwich town centre, making it a vibrant place to live and work.

Like you, I'm passionate about West Bromwich and positive about its future so vote for me on May 7 and let's secure that better future together.

Tom Watson (Lab)*

I believe that wealth and power are in the hands of too few people.

I'm a conviction politician and a campaigner. I want our country to be more entrepreneurial, fairer and kinder.

I'll fight to save our NHS. Labour will also scrap zero-hour contracts and shameful poverty pay.

We'll support apprenticeships – real ones, not the inadequate Tory schemes and we'll get our youngsters into work.

I'll continue the campaign to get the truth about cover-ups in child abuse inquiries, too.

Finally, to the people of West Bromwich East: I will always put you first.

Vote Labour on May 7th.

West Bromwich West

Adrian Bailey (Lab)*

With the investment in Jaguar Landover there is a real prospect of reviving our local manufacturing economy. Good jobs, wages and skills are essential for young people.

I will work with schools, F.E colleges, local universities and businesses to assist young people into obtaining the skills that will enable them to take advantage of the revival. I have already held a jobs and apprenticeships fair and will continue to hold such events.

I also want to promote co-operatives and employee share ownership. The John Lewis partnership has demonstrated the benefits of this. I intend to hold an event with local businesses to promote these principles.

Graham Eardley (UKIP)

I believe the towns and areas that are within the West Bromwich West constituency are at the heart of The Black Country and I promise to do all I can to protect this proud and unique Black Country heritage from any threat of European Union or Government legislation.

One of my main concerns is the lack of controls on immigration which has had an impact on all public services, housing and jobs. I fully support UKIP's plans to get the UK out of the European Union and introduce an Australian style points system for all migrants to the UK.

Paul Ratner (Con)

Together with local residents, I have been campaigning for Sandwell Council to scrap the parking charges in Council owned car parks, clean up our neighbourhoods, keep them litter free and re-open the derelict Great Bridge Car Park.

If elected, I will aim to give people the peace of mind of knowing that GPs will be on call 7 days a week; I will support Conservative proposals to ensure that economic migrants wait at least 4 years before having access to social housing; and I will support an In/Out Referendum in 2017 on the UK's membership of the EU."

Mark Redding (Green)

A resident of Wednesbury for over 20 years, I raised my family in the area, and am only too aware of the lack of representation for the people of Sandwell. The area has been hit very hard by this government's failed austerity experiment, with unemployment figures way above the national average and life getting harder for local people. I pledge to fight austerity; support our NHS and reverse privatisation; return public services like energy and public transport back to the people, removing the profiteers and lowering our bills; and invest in green jobs to create a clean, renewable energy infrastructure.

Karen Trench (Lib Dem)

Awaiting response

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