Ian Luder, Ukip candidate

THINK Straight, Talk Straight, was what I learned as an articled clerk, and I have practised it ever since.

Neither I nor Ukip will promise you the earth, or forget our promises straight after the election.

Our 5 pledges are what we will deliver:

  • An in/out EU referendum
  • Proper control of our borders
  • No tax on the minimum wage
  • An extra £3bn a year on the NHS
  • Cut in wasteful foreign aid

In addition, I will fight to protect the green belt.

Ensure pensioners and ex-Servicemen get the fair deal they deserve.

Stop the national debt from growing.

It’s risen by 50% in five years, which puts an unfair burden on our children and grandchildren.

Kerry Smith, Independent candidate

I AM the only candidate on the ballot paper who will push to end Britain’s membership of the EU and regain our sovereignty from the political non-entities based in Brussels.

The EU has wrecked our country.

It has left us poorer, with a housing shortage caused by i m m i g r a t i o n , criminals being treated like minor royalty and businesses being drowned by red tape.

Had Ukip picked a genuine anti-EU candidate, I would have not stood for election. Sadly, their candidate was imposed on the local branch without a democratic vote.

I am justaworking class councillor from Basildon who wants his country back and the only way this is going to happen is if I am elected as the new local MP.

Geoff William, Lib Dem candidate

AFTER more than 30 years representing the community of south Basildon on the local council, I think I have the experience and understanding to take things further.

I have lived in Basildon virtually all my life. My wife’s family were established in the farming community in Stanford, Horndon and east Tilbury.

I have been a member of the Liberal Party and Liberal Democrats for all of my political life, as have many of my family, and I firmly believe in the party’s values of tolerance, fairness, equality of opportunity, irrespective of background, upbringing or personal circumstances. All these coupled with a sense of responsibility in fiscal, economic and environmental terms.

Stephen Metcalfe, Conservative candidate

FOR the last five years it has been my privilege and honour to have represented you as your MP.

You placed a huge amount of trust in me and I always remember it is you, the people, to whom I am ultimately responsible.

Now I am asking for your support again as there is still much to do.We need to secure our longterm economic future, reform our relationship with Europe, tackle immigration and regain control of our borders and create a fair society which rewards hard work while caring for those who need help.

The choice at this election is a simple one, re-elect me as your local MP and we will be one step closer to five more years of stability, growth and recovery with the Tories.

Mike Le-Surf, Labour candidate

BORN and raised in Essex, I have lived and worked here all of my life.

I care passionately about our part of South Essex and hope to enter parliament in May to make sure Essex people have a true voice in Westminster.

Many people I have met in the constituency feel they are not represented and have been let down by their previous MP.

The Tories have introduced a bedroom tax which has hurt many families and individuals who can least afford it.

Our NHS is now bursting at the seams and will only be saved by a Labour Government who will invest in the staff needed after five years of Tory mismanagement and t o p - d o w n reorganisation.

Vote Labour!