So Flick Drummond, the Conservative candidate standing in Meon Valley, has been to several Question and Answer sessions around the constituency to meet as many people as possible. Here are some of the questions and answers – and if you have any questions for Flick you can find and contact her on this link Here
Can you tell us why you are the best candidate to represent Meon Valley as MP
I have lived in this area for the last 33 years and know it very well. I have also had experience in Parliament as an MP so will be able to hit the ground running if I am elected which is important at this time in our history.
Brexit. Are you Leave or Remain, will you support Boris’s deal, should the deal be amended and do we look to remain in a customs union.
I will be supporting Boris Johnson’s withdrawal agreement. It is very important that we deliver on the democratic vote despite whatever we wanted and to leave following the referendum and finish the uncertainty for our businesses and everyone. We need to Get Brexit Done and get the best deal we can now.
The proposed interconnector project known as ‘Aquind’ is a major concern locally. What is your position on this and how would you get involved to look after local interests?
It is a concern especially with the disruption it will cause for some time, let alone a massive building in the countryside and the permanent noise associated with these installations so I will listen to local residents carefully and work with local councils to find the best way forward. This planning application is being decided by the secretary of state so I will be well placed to help make sure local views are heard.
Social media has grown faster than controlling legislation. How do you feel the best way is to put in place safeguards for young people?
I am very concerned about social media and young people. Many of them use it more often for their social life instead of going out to talk to friends. I am also worried about the impact on mental health as it is difficult to get away from bullies on social media or the feeling that one is not good enough because of comments.
Should Facebook be able to gather vast personal data on us and then use it to sell targeted advertising to political organisations?
It is a big concern that personal data from all sources is being used in the wrong way by all sorts of organisations. We also need to make sure that people know how to identify fake news so they can find out the truth. I urge everyone to look at the Party Manifestos and websites to get the correct information.
How are you going to engage with young people in the Constituency
I hope that I will be invited into all the schools and colleges to meet young people alongside businesses and apprenticeships to hear the views of everyone and will contact them if elected.
What key issues with the NHS do you think need fixing and how would you execute this?
As we are an ageing population, the pressures on the NHS are growing. We have to realise that it can’t do everything and that people must use it correctly. It is very disappointing that people do not turn up for appointments at doctors without letting them know which means that other patients cannot be seen. We also need to encourage people to use pharmacies and walk-in-clinics rather than going to Emergency Departments. We need to see more investment into public health to keep people healthy in the first place.
Land East Of Horndean is our key strategic development that will bring in a new school, community building and vast public open space. What will you do to help support this development?
We must make sure that local residents have a say in any development and that it is appropriate in terms of numbers and design alongside the infrastructure that is needed at the same time. I would like to see better built houses with more space so that families can have the room to grow.
Noise on the A3M is an issue to homes along its length with noise levels exceeding set limits. What would you do to address this?
The best way is to have quiet tarmac but also more trees and acoustic fencing. I will work with the Highways Agency and local councillors to see what else can be done.
What is the best way for us to fund and provide care for the elderly?
We need a cross-party discussion on this. It is a difficult issue but we need to solve it quickly as a country with an ageing population and I think that can only be done if everyone sits down and works towards a system which is affordable for everyone – the tax payer and the elderly person.
How would you help support the increase in homes for first time buyers and make them truly affordable
We must make sure that developers build affordable housing and they are not allowed to get away with just a token amount of money instead.
What are your three top local issues for Horndean, Rowlands Castle and Clanfield
- To make sure that development is appropriate in numbers and a mix of houses/flats which are affordable. I would like us to be a sustainable community to help with climate change and will be working with local people to see whether we can do this.
- To work on ways to stop speeding through all our villages
- Make sure that we retain the individuality of each place and keep our beautiful countryside working for farmers and for all of us to enjoy.
You did not answer the first, third or fourth parts of second question. One of the reasons for the voting publics’ growing mistrust of politicians is that they either obfuscate or neglect to answer questions asked of them!