Below is a transcript of the Q&A between Richard Holden MP and the Echo.
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Why elect me?
If you elect me, you’ll get an experienced and hard-working MP for Basildon and Billericay who will be able to make a difference to the things that matter most.
I will stand up for your interests, both in Parliament and in our local community.
As someone who has served as a minister and in Cabinet, I will be a strong voice local and nationally.
That means I can deliver on issues of national political importance that make a difference in Basildon, Billericay and in the villages.
I know you want lower taxes for your family and your local businesses, controlled migration and better opportunities for you and your family. Only I can offer that.
As your MP, I will be able to deliver on local issues too. Because I get it. Having been out on the doorsteps, I understand what the issues that matter to you are from stopping uncontrolled development and mega-pylons to ensuring our local NHS delivers for local people.
No other candidate has committed to protecting our precious green belt, but I will. Labour want to green light development. I have already pledged to work to ensure we don’t get 160ft pylons carving up our community, in line with the Conservatives’ commitments. No one else can match this, which says it all.
I will engage with local businesses, community groups, and local services to act on your priorities. I will be open and accessible to you. No issue is too small, no problem too big.
This election is close between Labour and the Conservatives here. On July 5th you’ll either have a Labour or a Conservative MP, a vote for anyone else will just help Labour win a supermajority.
My biggest achievement?
As a Minister in the Transport Department, I devised the £2 bus cap. I got it in as a temporary measure at first, then battled to make it permanent.
It has been in place for well over a year now and has made a huge difference right around the country. You may have even used it yourself.
My funniest moment?
I started my working life waiting tables in a restaurant to earn some cash to take my first girlfriend on dates. And I still feel the embarrassment of being an 18-year-old and accidentally dropping a bowl of soup over a customer.
My interests?
Unfortunately, I haven’t had the pleasure of using a hairdresser in a number of years! However, I do enjoy cooking roast dinners with my girlfriend and walking in the countryside when I can find the time. Nothing goes better with both of these things than a good pint of ale.
My vision?
Protecting our green belt, cutting down on crime and anti-social behaviour and improving local transport.
Our green belt is vital to our area. It is both beautiful and productive. Sadly, the National Grid has drawn up proposals for a network of mega pylons right through Billericay and Burstead that would wreck it completely.
I will stand against this and work with our local Conservative councillors in pushing back against this daft plan and instead concentrating on getting half built structures – like ‘Laindon Henge’ finished for local people to live in.
Anti-social behaviour is a massive issue, particularly in Basildon. I will work with the police and the Government to roll out hotspot policing here, which has been effective in drastically reducing anti-social behaviour in other parts of the country.
Finally, I know how many people here use the train or the bus. I will work with local operators who too often hold commuters to ransom with their schedules.
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