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All 58 candidates who are standing to become the next 12 MPs in Devon have been given the chance to explain why you should vote for them.

Residents in Devon will go to the polls on Thursday, December 12, for a General Election.

The Conservatives and Labour are standing in all 12 seats, while the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party are fielding candidates in 11, standing down for each other in Exeter and Totnes respectively.

The Brexit Party and UKIP each have two candidates, while there are eight Independents.

All candidates were contacted two weeks ago, either directly, or through their political parties, to provide 150-200 words on who they are and why people should vote for them.

Here is the full list of candidates across Devon and what they say.

Central Devon candidates

ALISON EDEN (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS)

Alison Eden says ‘Why not?’ … a lot. Why can’t we end the throwaway society? Why can’t we invest in schools? (They should be palaces, not held together with sticky tape!) Why must people get sicker while waiting months for appointments, or desperate while trying to claim benefits?

Liberal Democrat policies are bold, caring and costed; they are needed now.

What do Liberal Democrats believe? We celebrate what taxation does for communities. We will invest in the NHS with more funding (not more managers!).We will give local councils the money needed to deliver services. We will redefine ‘value’ to mean not just the cost of running e.g. a bus service, but the social value public transport provides connecting communities.

Who is Alison? A mother, soprano and weekly columnist, Alison is an Oxford University Graduate with 30 years’ experience in medical research. She became a Teignbridge district councillor in 2016.

A non-driver, Alison believes in and is determined to improve public transport. As your MP, Alison will put her best energies and determination to work for all residents. She will be here running surgeries. MPs work (or should work) for us and Alison Eden as your MP is planning to serve.

MEL STRIDE (CONSERVATIVES)

Mel’s involvement in politics stems from his upbringing. His parents, due to economic hardship, left school at 15 and 14 and this shaped his views on the importance of education and the role of government in facilitating it.

Mel was awarded a free place at grammar school and won a place at Oxford University. Whilst there he was a keen debater (elected, along with Boris Johnson, as President of the Oxford Union). Mel set up his own business in 1987 specialising in exhibitions, conferences and publishing. He expanded into the United States working there before selling the US company.

Mel believes that it is valuable for politicians to have had career experience outside politics - he became an MP at 48 - and his background in entrepreneurship has made him a valuable contributor in Westminster. Mel has a strong interest in our history and as a hobby is a qualified guide.

He is married to Michelle and the proud father of 3 daughters. Mel was elected as MP for Central Devon in 2010 and has held the seat since.

Mel has served in the whips office, as Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Paymaster General and more recently in the Cabinet as Leader of the Commons.

LISA ROBILLARD WEBB (LABOUR)

I was born and raised on the edge of Dartmoor, where I now live with my husband and two children. I am a businesswoman with a background in human resources and leadership training, and I work part-time as a lunch lady at my local primary school.

I will fight to rebuild the rural Fire and Rescue services crippled by a decade of austerity, improve NHS primary care access for rural patients, reverse the damaging marketisation of schools, and restore rural bus routes lost under the Conservatives. I am thrilled that Labour nationally will deliver real justice to rural constituents by rolling out free, full-fibre broadband to every home in the country, starting with rural areas, and by creating a network of responsible public banks to be operated by the Post Office, giving a new lease of life to rural branches and saving many from the threat of closure.

I will fight to ensure that rural communities are not left behind in the scramble to tackle climate breakdown. Any transition to a carbon-neutral economy must support Devon’s farmers, provide well-paid jobs on the land in sustainable, localised food production, and encourage land management informed by sound ecological principles.

ANDY WILLIAMSON (GREEN PARTY)

Moved to Ashburton, in the Central Devon constituency in 2009, with wife and daughter.

Works as musician (saxophonist, singer, teacher).

Founded the campaign to buy Ashburton Methodist Church building when the Methodists put it up for auction in 2015. This was successful, and Andy is now the Arts Director on the board which runs it as a community arts centre. 100 events there in 2018; 200 in 2019 including world-class live music.

Has the condition Polycystic Kidney Disease. Developed end-stage renal failure in 2006. Has had two kidney transplants, both from living donors (friend and cousin).

Believes that monetary reform is essential, to get rid of the absolute requirement for continual economic growth. Without this imperative, the financial system would be free to grow or contract without fear of collapse, and environmental sustainability could become the key requirement in any policy, regardless of its impact on GDP.

Strongly supports remaining in the EU.

East Devon candidates

PETER FAITHFULL (INDEPENDENT)

In 2017 I stood for election in relation to the disappearance of Genette Tate. I am extremely grateful for the many messages of information and support. I will continue to stand up for Genette until the case is resolved to a satisfactory end.

With Brexit having been the cause of this election, I would like to advise that I am the only true leave vote for East Devon. I voted to leave in the referendum and continue with that view. If voters would like to know that their vote to leave will be properly and fully supported, I am the only candidate who can truly make that claim.

As an independent candidate who voted to leave, I do not have a party whip to push me to support anything that East Devon does not want. Having lived in East Devon for over 50 years, I will work for this community at Westminster, acting in the interests of our community.

I will fight for fairer deals for East Devon, to make sure we receive the support and services we deserve. My vote is an independent leave vote.

HENRY GENT (GREEN PARTY)

Henry is a 61 year old farmer, living on the farm in Broadclyst, where he has lived all his life. It is a mixed farm, and is currently concentrating on organic grain, vegetables, fodder, and chickens. Henry has been a trustee of local charities, the chair of a local grain storage cooperative, and the 2018 winner of the Chairman’s Award for the outstanding contribution to the Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative. Henry is very interested in agricultural policy.

Henry says that for more than ten years the challenge of global warming has been at the top of his priorities. As a result, he has changed his life style, and the farm business. With his family he has built two dwellings on the farm to Passivhaus standards. He is involved with various initiatives within his parish to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and he chairs the parish council’s committees for communications and traffic.

Henry says: “family life and the family farm are the centre of my life, and the long term future means everything to me. My political priority is to be able to look future generations in the eye when they ask me what I did in the climate emergency.”

SIMON JUPP (CONSERVATIVES)

I was born in Devon and my family has lived here for generations.

I previously worked as a radio presenter for East Devon's local station Radio Exe. I also worked for the BBC and ITV, becoming manager of BBC Radio Solent in Dorset.

I swapped journalism for politics to make a difference and improve people's lives, advising the Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State Dominic Raab and the Mayor of the West of England.

I will always stand up for East Devon and protect our community hospitals, keep our bobbies on the beat and push for further investment in education. East Devon is a great place to live and I’m keen that it’s a great place to work too, so I’ll work hard to improve our roads, rail, buses and broadband.

I voted to remain in 2016 but I'd now vote to leave. I support the Prime Minister's new Brexit deal because it’s the best way forward to crack on and deliver the result residents in East Devon voted for.

ELEANOR RYLANCE (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS)

Eleanor Rylance, a long-standing Broadclyst parish councillor, unexpectedly gained Broadclyst's seat on East Devon District Council from the Conservatives in a celebrated 2017 by-election. She retained her seat in the 2019 local elections and is now Deputy Leader of the Lib Dem Group on East Devon. Eleanor is a strong campaigner on green issues and dealing with the challenges of the global climate emergency.

Earlier in the year, she was part of the South-West team which saw a big increase in the Lib Dem vote in the European elections, securing victory for two Lib Dem MEPs for the region.

A Cambridge law graduate, Eleanor is a freelance multilingual translator and a trained modern languages teacher. Apart from her council duties, she chairs her local twinning association and is a keen (but time-poor) vegetable grower. She lives on the outskirts of Broadclyst and is married to Adrian, a research scientist. They have four children.

DAN WILSON (LABOUR)

My name is Dan Wilson, I’m 37 and I live in Exmouth town centre with my wife and three small children. Since becoming a father, my concern for our community, our region and our nation has deepened as decline has become rapid and when a General Election was called, I felt compelled to stand.

Standing for election has been an amazing experience so far. I’m meeting so many people, listening to what they are saying and learning an incredible amount. My knowledge of the depth of suffering in this region is vast compared to just a few weeks ago. We’re all aware of NHS cuts, school cuts, the environment dying, the Brexit shambles etc but urgent matters like domestic abuse get pushed back. The Domestic Abuse Bill has been put back twice by the government, it’s disgusting. We lost more young women to domestic abuse than to cancer but it doesn’t get the coverage because the government are making a mess of more high profile matters.

I feel passionately about East Devon and the people who live here. We need to elect an MP that will have actual power in Westminster to fight for these issues and fight for East Devon, not a Tory that couldn’t care less or a lost independent voice. It’s time for real change and I hope on the 12th of December, the people of East Devon will vote Labour to get Labour.

CLAIRE WRIGHT (INDEPENDENT)

Claire Wright has represented the people of East Devon as an independent district and county councillor for ten years. She now hopes to become East Devon’s MP and reverse a decade of Tory austerity.

Claire was raised and lives in the constituency. She is a passionate advocate for the NHS, schools and the environment. She is independent of party politics; a privileged position that would allow her to place the concerns of constituents first and foremost.

Claire is used to working cross-party to achieve consensus and results for the people she represents. Over the last ten years, she has had thousands of conversations with residents, public services and businesses across the constituency to pinpoint the issues most important to the people of East Devon.

Claire came second in the last two general elections, winning more than 21,000 votes in 2017. She is now backed by every tactical voting site as the ONLY candidate who can win the seat from the Conservatives.

East Devon deserves a trustworthy, hard-working and committed MP with a proven record of delivering for the community. Claire Wright has the knowledge, the experience, established local contacts and the determination to bring positive change to East Devon.

Exeter candidates

BEN BRADSHAW (LABOUR)

I am standing on my record of more than 22 years working for Exeter. Over that time we have achieved fantastic success as a city. All our high schools have been rebuilt, boosting their performance. Exeter College is now one of the best in the country, we've attracted the Met Office and new medical school to our city. I have always been an independently minded MP, who doesn’t just toe the party line but will always put Exeter’s interests before the personal or the party. This election in Exeter is about who you want to be your local MP. It is also the most important election of our lifetimes. We are facing the prospect of a majority Johnson Government that will crash us out of the European Union in just a year’s time and cause untold economic damage, the breakup of our United Kingdom and the sell out of our NHS to Donald Trump in a US trade deal. I am the only candidate in Exeter who can stop the Tories taking our city back. It is vital that we keep at least some opposition MPs in our region. I hope you will put your trust in me again as the best person to represent Exeter in Parliament.

JOHN GRAY (CONSERVATIVES)

John Gray is the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Exeter. Born and brought up in Devon, John has a wealth of experience in the business world and has been involved in a number of charities, all with a focus on helping young people.

His priorities for Exeter include environmentally-sensitive growth, social mobility and improving social care. He was inspired to go into politics as a result of spending time in Dartmoor Prison with the Prince’s Trust.

“Exeter It is an important hub for the county. I believe Exeter’s voice will be much stronger with a Conservative MP co-operating as part of a South West team,” said John, whose family has a proud history of public service.

John currently works with start-up businesses, helping them to expand into new markets and locations. He is keen to use this experience to help the city develop better-paid, more varied opportunities for its young people.

John strongly supports Prime Minister Boris Johnson in his determination to get Brexit done.

He said: “Never in my adult life has it been more important to return a Conservative majority. It’s the only way to deliver Brexit, move onto other priorities and keep Jeremy Corbyn out.”

JOE LEVY (GREEN PARTY)

Joe Levy graduated from Exeter University in 2015 and now works as an administrator. He has led several community campaigns and projects, focusing particularly on food poverty, green spaces and youth engagement. He has the energy, determination and commitment needed to become a hard-working MP - standing up for the people of Exeter.

“Young people will bear the brunt of the impacts of climate change and around two million young people haven’t had their say on Brexit, which would limit their opportunities to travel, study, live and love across Europe. They need a representative in parliament, determined to act on the climate emergency and fighting to stop Brexit through a People’s Vote. And as a Green MP for Exeter, I will be a strong advocate standing up for young people.”

DUNCAN ODGERS (UKIP)

We’ve had 22-years of Ben Bradshaw and Labour. And what’s happened to Exeter is a disgrace for the ordinary people who live and work here. Massive amounts of building on green field sites, choked roads, run-down high streets, crowded schools and stretched NHS services. A bus station that still isn’t built – they don’t really care about people who take buses or the environment for that matter.

The only housing going up it seems is flats for foreign students. The university is the only thing they do care about and it can do what it likes. Ordinary folk have been left behind to struggle with increased rent and property prices and pressure on public services. Immigration is out of control.

We need a fresh start, a return to integrity and accountability in politics. The current system is broken by self-serving career politicians.

If you elect me I will be a strong local voice for the people of this city.

Though obviously, as a proud Cornishman, I cannot endorse the cream-first policy on scones, I will fight for a clean-break Brexit and for the needs of the constituency of Exeter, listening to the ordinary voter, so routinely ignored by Labour these days.

DANIEL PAGE (INDEPENDENT)

Just when it looked like Christmas would be ruined by those notorious Scrooges in the House of Commons, Dame Belladone of Snow White has arrived to save Christmas.

This is the first time in history the voting public has had the opportunity to show pantomime dames the respect they deserve.

Dame Bella said: “You don’t need to vote for me, because you can buy a ticket to see me in ‘Snow White’ at the Exeter Corn Exchange, but you do need to vote for SOMEBODY.”

Dame Bella’s alter-ego, Daniel Page, was born and bred in Exeter, but moved to London to appear in West End musicals. Each year he appears at the Exeter Corn Exchange where professional pantomime is enjoying its 10 anniversary this year.

“It is a bit of a publicity stunt. It is a Christmas election and we thought it would be a fun idea to put ourselves out there and get some promotion, as there is no bigger pantomime that Westminster,” Dame Bella added.

LESLIE WILLIS (BREXIT PARTY)

Leslie Willis has lived in Wiltshire for the last 40 years. During this time he served 5 years on the local Royal Wootton Bassett town council for the Liberal Democrats in which time he was Mayor, Deputy Mayor and the chairman of the town council planning committee. He and his wife have three children all with their own careers.

He was born in Teignmouth and is proud to be from Devon.

He was in the Royal Air Force for 15 years then worked for 21 years in the NHS in demanding role in the care for Adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour.

He now runs his own small business.

He feels that since the UK joined the European Union in the early 1970s many politicians have mislead the electorate by not informing them that we were going to be dragged deeper into a federal Europe.

After the result of the referendum in 2016 he soon realised that our political parties were not respecting the result and were replacing democracy with their own views and self-importance.

That instilled him with the passion to join the Brexit party and offer himself as a prospective candidate. He is immensely proud at having been selected to stand as a candidate.

The Brexit party he feels has become a strong political force led by dynamic leaders who are not afraid to tell the truth and address the problems faced by our country. The party was born out of mounting anger and frustration about Europe and the lack of leadership and back bone of our existing parties.

He feels personally that the depletion of our police forces and prisons must be high on any government’s future agenda and that punishments must reflect the crime committed.

The thought of the EU taking more powers from our parliament to an unelected body in Brussels fills him with dread.

Newton Abbot candidates

MEGAN DEBENHAM (GREEN PARTY)

Before entering politics I had a career of thirty plus years in public services, as a social worker in both health service and community settings, and then as a front line team manager. My background includes some social sciences research, and teaching with the OU.

After I retired, I worked as a clerk to a parish council, and then became a parish councillor. I stood for election to the district council earlier this year, and came second, ahead of the Conservative candidate.

I joined the Green Party eighteen months ago when it became clear that the party I had previously supportedfor over fifty years was not adequately addressing increasingly urgent environmental issues. In the Green Party manifesto, I found values, aspirations and intentions with which I can closely identify, and in the party leadership a serious and respectful desire to actually solve problems.

On the Parish Council my primary focus has been working alongside the Environment and other agencies to improve flood protection and resilience. I have been involved in projects to install a lighting mast for the Air Ambulance Service, a defibrillator, and to improve equipment in our playing field. I am currently working with our local allotments association to achieve greater autonomy and higher standards in the management of the allotment site.

I look upon being the Green Party candidate in the forthcoming general election as an unmissable opportunity to spread the Green message as far and as powerfully as possible, and if elected will work both to address local issues, and to add my voice to those demanding national action to address climate change and pollution.

DAVID HALPIN (INDEPENDENT)

Who is David Halpin? ...a war baby, eldest of 4 siblings. Born in Lyndhurst, the New Forest. Appointed Senior Consultant In Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery at Torbay Hospital and the Princess Elizabeth Hospital. The latter, most wonderful hospital being bull dozed with its 120 beds, under a Tory government c.1994.

David has healed thousands with good teams by his side. He cares deeply about almost everything, calls a spade a spade and has striven always for the highest standards. People say: ‘Britain has gone to pot’. It has, and David acts!

The most important characteristic in a society be it primitive, or ‘advanced’ as ours, is CARING. I care deeply about almost everything, especially the child - here and abroad.

I opposed joining the EEC as a young doctor 40 years ago,

as did my father. The EU has harmed GB - take its Competition Rules.

We should have left promptly in 2016 following a vote of 52% against 48% in a turn out of 72%.

ANNE MARIE MORRIS (CONSERVATIVES)

I will be standing for the fourth time as the Conservative Party candidate for the Newton Abbot constituency, which covers two-thirds of Teignbridge: it’s a huge and diverse area with a wide range of opportunities and challenges. That’s why I’ve developed a six-point plan focused on; better integrated health and social care services with more investment in our local hospitals, more police resources especially in rural areas, getting our fair share of increased education funding, backing practical plans to protect our environment, improving local infrastructure especially broadband, and making sure house-builders create homes and communities not just developments.

I’m often asked “where do you stand on Brexit”? My answer is clear. I support Boris Johnson’s deal. It gives us back control of our laws, our borders and our money. We regain control of our seas and fishing rights, and it maintains the union of the United Kingdom. Brexit must be delivered, no more dither and delay. Let’s get Brexit done!

Being an MP is an immense honour, and I hope to have the opportunity to continue working hard on behalf of all constituents. Much has been achieved in the past nine years but there’s more work to do!

JAMES OSBEN (LABOUR)

I am not standing to become an MP for myself. It has not been my lifetime ambition to become a politician. I have worked in the NHS for 15 years and I am a nurse but I have to take a stand. Things have got to change.

This election isn’t about an individual. It’s about the 14 million people plunged into poverty because of political choices made by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. It’s about 17000 people who have died before receiving the benefits they need. It’s about disabled people losing vital financial support while forcing them to pay bedroom tax.

It’s about the fact that infant mortality rates have increased year on year, with the highest rates being in the most deprived areas. This election is about the increasing numbers of homeless people. It is about the 1 million people accessing foodbanks.

This election is about the Nurses, Doctors, Radiographers, Occupational Therapists, Porters, Facilities Staff, Administrators and all NHS staff who work under immense pressure and who have suffered a ten year pay freeze. It’s about the police and firefighters who have been underpaid and deprived of resources.

It is about schools being deprived of funding and parents, teachers and students who have had to buy school equipment out of their own pockets.

This is my pledge to you as a fellow human being, as a son, as a brother, as a grandson, as a husband, as a father, as a friend and as a neighbour.

MARTIN WRIGLEY (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS)

Martin Wrigley grew up in a Forces family, and brought his own young family to Dawlish over 20 years ago. District Councillor and former Mayor of Dawlish, Martin has a track record of standing up for residents and being a strong voice for our communities. He is committed to keeping Teignbridge a great place to live, helping those who need support, and getting a fair deal for Devon.

Martin says “We need attention and investment in our schools, hospitals and people; creating a brighter future for our Country.

We must have action on climate change, fair funding for our schools, care for our vulnerable children and adults, and protect our precious NHS.

We need to develop green industry and new jobs, exporting solutions globally, a world leader in renewable, sustainable technology, rebuilding our economy as carbon-free and protecting our environment.

Our MP should be a champion for our community, responsive and helping locally. I will fight for our community. I will be available to residents and a local, visible MP.”

North Devon candidates

STEVE COTTEN (INDEPENDENT)

Who am I? I have lived in North Devon for over fifty years. I grew up in a Barnstaple council estate, I went to council schools, leaving at fifteen and entering into various jobs, including engineer, shopkeeper and landlord. I have always lived in the real world, with real people, and continue to do so. I have slept rough and have also experienced working long hours, struggling to pay a mortgage and bring up three wonderful children. I am now running The Poltimore Arms at Yarde Down, which I took on six and a half years ago in order to stop it's demise from the planet. It is the greenest pub in the UK, I am 100% off grid and 100% a pub for the community and all the people who live in it. I get to see and hear all the problems affecting particularly the rural community so I know what needs addressing and will do so if given the chance to. As a visually impaired person, I also understand the struggles and difficulties faced by disabled people living in rural communities in North Devon, particularly with regards to public transport and access to healthcare. I am totally dissatisfied with the way that the people of North Devon have been represented in the past and present. I want to be an elected official who is not there to make a name for himself or line his own pockets. Do feel free to check me out on Facebook or come and visit me for a pint, I will be happy to answer your questions. I have nothing to hide, good or bad. Thank you so very much, Steve.

ROBBIE MACK (GREEN PARTY)

I am from Barnstaple. I went to Park School, the same school as both my parents and grandmother.

I lived and worked in London, and then Cardiff as a kitchen porter and chef. While there, I volunteered for homelessness projects and got involved in anti-austerity protests.

In 2016, I worked for a small non-profit organisation in Northern Greece feeding people fleeing the conflicts in Iraq and Syria. I was responsible for food provision to a small camp.

I returned to North Devon, primarily to care for my granddad after he suffered a series of minor strokes. He is now being looked after by one of our excellent care homes, and I visit regularly.

I joined the Green Party because I believe they are the only party with the joined-up, rational solutions to the problems society faces today.

Other parties separate ‘the environment’ as a fringe issue to be solved independently, or even at the cost of, other priorities. They believe that working to increase quality of life necessarily goes against preserving our natural environment. The Green Party knows that the only solutions are holistic. Reducing our impact on the world’s climate goes hand-in-hand with solving the biggest problems of our daily lives.

I was elected as a local councillor for Barnstaple Town Council and North Devon Council this May and now I’m taking the fight to the next level.

FINOLA O'NEILL (LABOUR)

Hello, I am Dr Finola ONeill, a local GP and surfer in North Devon. I live in Braunton with my husband and my cat Dennis. I enjoy surfing at Saunton and our other amazing local beaches. I have worked in North Devon for a decade, at NDDH A&E, then as a GP.

I am studying an MA Law part-time and volunteer at Bristol Law clinic. Once completed I plan to open a Law clinic in North Devon, which is so badly needed to support our local residents.

I work in the NHS and see the money hemorrhaging into private contracts, rich people’s pockets and pointless bureaucracy. I want it to end and under Labour it will. Together with ending all the tax dodging, will save us the billions needed to breath back life into our wonderful NHS.

I am a keen environmentalist and have been supporting extinction rebellion and the school climate strikes over the last year. The planet is in crisis and Labour’s Green New Deal will tackle this comprehensively and bring masses of new Green jobs to all regions of the country.

Please vote for me to support your future and your children’s future and the future of our planet.

SELAINE SAXBY (CONSERVATIVES)

I live in Instow, North Devon, where I am also the District Councillor. I am a maths teacher at a local secondary school, having previously run my own business, been a Chief of Staff for an MP and worked in the City as a strategy consultant.

I want to get Brexit done! I voted Leave; North Devon voted Leave and we have to sort this for North Devon to be able to move forward with all the other issues so important to residents.

Once we have moved on from Brexit, here in North Devon I want to build on Peter Heaton-Jones' work and continue to get funding into the the South West. Better broadband, better rail and road links. It’s a beautiful part of the country, coast and countryside and I want to look after it and encourage everyone not lucky enough to live here to come and visit!

There is so much to do. As a teacher, fairer funding for our schools is essential, in particular looking at the SEN requirements of schools. We need to invest in the NHS and locally look at how we can fill staff vacancies. Particularly here in North Devon it is essential we look at social care and how we care for the older generation.

You can follow my campaign on Facebook at Selaine4NorthDevon, Twitter @SelaineSaxby, Instagram Selaine_Saxby

ALEX WHITE (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS)

Alex is a local campaigner who is not afraid to get stuck into challenging issues facing the North Devon community.Originally from Chulmleigh, Alex returned home to North Devon after graduating in Law (European Law & German) - to become a County Court Advocate.

Alex worked on a UNICEF anti-aids campaign in Jamaica, is a professionally qualified LTA Tennis Coach, and has volunteered with both the Exeter Deaf School and Children’s Rights Alliance England.Whether tackling difficult legal cases, campaigning to protect the environment, or speaking up for children and families, he’s a born community campaigner - enthusiastic to work to build a brighter future for North Devon.

His priorities for the people of North Devon are:

- Defending the NHS and local services in the heart of our community

- Tackling the Climate Change Emergency

- A thriving local economy: for jobs, businesses and opportunities for young people Alex is clear - this election is not just about 2020, it is about 2030 and beyond. We should be supporting our local services, not cutting them. He cares deeply about school budgets, the environment, health and social care and the emergency services - as do the people of North Devon he seeks to represent.

Plymouth Moor View

CHARLOTTE HOLLOWAY (LABOUR)

I’m a local campaigner, a new working mum, a school governor, and a born-and-raised Plymothian working to champion the needs of people here. I’m proud to be the only candidate on the ballot to live in the constituency.

I’ve worked with communities, I’ve worked in bars, I’ve worked with leading businesses. Most recently, I’ve been working for a national charity.

My campaign to be the next Labour MP here is about fair funding for our schools. It’s about security in later life, affordable housing, and community policing. It’s about preparing for the future of our local economy, making sure Plymouth doesn’t get left behind. It’s about tackling hidden poverty, putting a stop to the misery of Universal Credit, and ending the Tory health and social care crisis.

SARAH MARTIN (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS)

Sarah Martin was born and raised in Devon. She is a Mum of two, lives in Saltash just across the Tamar from Plymouth and is an elected Town Councillor. She is a keen activist on the Safe38 campaign group acting as their media advisor, and has been involved with campaigning within the For Europe groups. Her background is in Marketing, Media and Communications, most recently in the NHS.

After spending ten years of my life post-university working in Germany, and seeing how the movement of people, goods and services within Europe changed and enhanced our country's landscape, she was appalled to think that the country had voted to leave by such a narrow margin.

Three years later, she feels that many people are politically homeless. The landscape in Westminster has changed beyond all recognition, and the things that should be important to us are taking a back seat. For Sarah, that is unacceptable.

Sarah said, "As a country we need to move forward. Brexit has sapped enough of our energy but also our democratic power and needs to be put to bed with a second referendum, which must include the option to remain. Our success as a party in this year's local and European elections has shown how important that is to the general public. We need a renewed effort to get the Liberal voice heard in Moor View and to show a way forward out of the mire of current politics. Mostly I want to offer the residents of Moor View a more tolerant, outward-looking and positive

EWAN MELLING FLAVELL (GREEN PARTY)

All members of our society must have equal opportunities and feel empowered to make changes in their own lives and this means them being able to make choices. We must not allow people’s experience to be limited by others who may discriminate against them based upon prejudice. In short, we need to ensure that there is social justice.

We depend on the natural world for our existence, and the natural world depends on us for its protection. It’s this aspect of stewardship of the Earth that we as a society must focus on in order to maintain a sustainable future for our children.

Today’s society often places too much emphasis on material possessions to allow many people to feel truly happy. Economic indicators are only one instrument by which satisfaction can be measured.

For too long has the UK and the other economic powers been a slave to Keynesian Economics and its addiction to Economic Growth and Inflation. Instead we need to adopt new ways to measure our success like individual choice, social fairness, health, happiness and human fulfilment.

JOHNNY MERCER (CONSERVATIVES)

After school I joined the Army and graduated from Sandhurst in 2002. I served from the tactical to the strategic level throughout a career across the globe, including multiple combat operations.

The treatment of my cohort of military personnel and veterans is what drove me into politics from a background of never having voted before.

In October 2013 I was selected by the Conservative Party to fight my local marginal seat of Plymouth Moor View and won the seat in the 2015 General Election with a less than 1% chance of success.

Plymouth Moor View was not a target seat so I worked on a building site to raise money as well as the now infamous shower gel advert!

I have served on both the House of Commons Defence and Health Select Committees and have also Chaired the APPG for Mental Health.

I was re-elected in 2017 with an almost five-fold increase in my majority.

My book, “We Were Warriors, was published in 2017 by Pan Mac and entered the Sunday Times best seller list.

I also starred in Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted which was aired in October 2018 in aid of the ‘Stand Up To Cancer’ charity.

In 2019 I managed to get both leadership candidates to sign up to three new Veteran’s pledges, one of which was to create a new office of Veterans Affairs in the Cabinet office.

In July 2019 I was appointed the Minister for Military Personnel and Veterans in the Ministry of Defence and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs in the Cabinet Office.

Plymouth Sutton and Devonport

JAMES ELLWOOD (GREEN PARTY)

James is a filmmaker who runs a Plymouth-based Social Enterprise. His experience of small business and work in local communities makes him perfectly placed to understand the needs of local residents.

He is a strong advocate for investment into ethical business in Plymouth. He is standing as Green candidate with a vision of an alternative, more responsible and inclusive ways of doing politics in Plymouth.

James lives locally in Stonehouse where he is raising his family. He stood as Green Party candidate for St Peter & the Waterfront in the Plymouth Local Elections 2019.

LUKE POLLARD (LABOUR)

I'm asking for your support to be re-elected - so I can get the job done, and get Plymouth the fair share of funding we have been denied under the Conservatives. We know things aren't right at the moment - from the NHS crisis, to Brexit, to the climate emergency, to the lack of affordable housing - that's why I am standing again, because it's time for real change.

I'm proud to be from Plymouth. This is my home. It is where I was born and where I live. Every day since 2017 when you elected me as your MP, I have stood up for our city and demanded our fair share of funding. We don't get our fair share. You know there are real issues in our city that need urgent action. More of the same won't do that. That's why I'm asking you to vote to re-elect me and ensure that we have a strong Plymouth voice in the House of Commons. No matter who wins, hopefully our city won't be ignored as it was in the past before I was elected.

It has been a huge privilege to represent where I was born and where I live in Parliament and with your support, I can continue to stand up for our city after the General Election too.

GRAHAM REED (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS)

I am a Master and Fellow of the British Society of Scientific Glassblowers. I gained a degree in politics [evening classes]. Two sons and five grandchildren. Pat Anne is my wife. I sail, sing, love fine music and exploring the wonder of our World.

My Career: Making scientific apparatus: promoting Renewable energy: Director for Tamar Energy Community, an energy-saving co-op in Tavistock that is fighting Climate Change.

My Politics: Liberal Democrat member from 1970’s: Parliamentary candidate in Stirling for Holyrood and Westminster in Stirling and Plymouth. City Councillor in Stirling: chair of Licencing Board and Planning Panel.

I am lifelong supporter of liberal values and have always fought for these basic, core principals and goals: a fairer voting system to ensure everyone has a true democratic representation; a strong and competent economy, a sustainable Environment, good housing, proper education and health care for all of us. I strongly support co-operative owned businesses and Societies

REBECCA SMITH (CONSERVATIVES)

I was born, raised, live and work here. And now I’m campaigning to become Plymouth’s next MP

Born in Freedom Fields Hospital in 1981, I grew up in Greenbank and attended Mount Street Primary and Plymouth High School for Girls. I’m currently living in Greenbank with family whilst saving to buy my first home.

After graduating from University, I worked in Plymouth City Council’s Homelessness team. I then worked in public service in London for eleven years with one aim in mind – to return home and fight Plymouth’s corner, getting the best deal for our city. And that’s what I’ve been doing since returning home in 2015. I’m a City Councillor, School Governor, trustee of several of local charities, and a member of a local church. I believe politics can be a force for good - by bringing hope and positivity when society says there is none. With years of casework and policy-making experience, I’m ready to hit the ground running and deliver the best outcomes for everyone across the city, finding solutions to the everyday problems faced by many individuals, families, businesses and organisations.

ANN WIDDECOMBE (BREXIT PARTY)

(Image: Penny Cross / Plymouth Live)



I am standing for the Brexit Party because I want to get Brexit done quickly and cleanly and then rebuild trust in politics, which has collapsed over the last three and a half years. That means politicians who will tell you the truth even if they think it is not what you want to hear. I also believe passionately in free speech which has been gradually eroded by political correctness and snowflakery. I also want a proper cross-party debate on the NHS which is now having to cope with a situation it was not designed to meet, but politicians are too cowardly to say so.

The rule of law is breaking down in many areas, drugs drive crime and our armed services have been treated by successive governments as optional extras. Meanwhile British education, which used to be the gold standard of the world, has declined alarmingly. It needs a fresh, determined approach and that is what I believe the Brexit Party offers.

South West Devon

ALEX BEVERLEY (LABOUR)

I’m proud to be standing to represent the people of South West Devon, it was working in South West Devon that first inspired me to get involved in politics.

Working in the NHS in mental health services I saw the waiting lists increasing, services disappearing with no notice, GPs struggling to find support for their patients and people becoming more and more unwell because the Tory cuts were making it harder and harder to get by and access the services they needed.

The Tories have taken South West Devon for granted and talking to people they are ready for real change. I am standing because our children’s school deserve the proper resources and staff they need, we need our NHS to be run to care for patients not bring profit to shareholders, Labour will invest in the connectivity and infrastructure our businesses are crying out for and our amazing emergency services staff need proper funding so they can keep us safe.

The Tories have made a mess of Brexit and have broken our public services and I will put South West Devon first and make sure that your voices are heard and we are no longer overlooked.

IAN POYSER (GREEN PARTY)

We were given a link to his candidate page by the Green Party elections team, which says 'No candidate information available at this time'

https://my.greenparty.org.uk/candidates/106204

SIMA DAVARIAN (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS)

Sima is a secondary school English teacher and is standing as parliamentary candidate in South West Devon. She grew up in South West Devon experiencing the rural nature of the constituency on a daily basis, where her maternal grandfather had strong links with the local farming community. Wherever she has studied or travelled, the rolling green hills of the constituency are always a sure sign that she is home.

A member of the Liberal Democrats since 2010, Sima has decided to stand as a parliamentary candidate following a range of life experiences which have made her feel compelled to act and to promote liberal values. ‘Significant life events made me appreciate even more the importance of a caring and compassionate society where we can be assured that we will be fairly treated and looked after, regardless of our backgrounds,’ she says. Sima actively campaigns to raise awareness of Bowel Cancer and has contributed to research in this area and other issues affecting cancer patients.

A unique constituency, South West Devon comprises the urban and rural: from the edges of Plymouth and its suburbs of Plympton and Plymstock, to Ivybridge and the villages and settlements of the South Hams. Sima says: ‘South West Devon is a varied and beautiful constituency, with a range of landscapes and communities. Its needs are quite vast: from farming communities and the challenges they face; to the rapidly expanding population of districts within the constituency and the need for infrastructure to support it; preserving and protecting our environment. The challenges are great. I want this to be an inclusive, compassionate and forward-looking constituency.’

SIR GARY STREETER (CONSERVATIVES)

Gary Streeter was brought up on a dairy farm in Devon, obtained his law degree from King’s College London and became a partner in a large regional law firm in 1984. He was first elected to parliament in 1992 and has represented this region ever since. He has served as a minister in previous Conservative government and held a variety of front bench posts. He chairs many committee meetings at Westminster and heads up the all-party group Christians in Parliament.

He is married to Janet and they raised their two children locally and currently have four grandchildren at local schools. Gary is very passionate about South West Devon and if re-elected will continue to seek improvements to our NHS, including access to GPs, road and rail links and digital connectivity. He is also pledging to do more to protect our natural environment and work with local groups to improve renewable energy generation and reduce carbon emissions.

Tiverton and Honiton

MARGARET DENNIS (UKIP)

Let’s face it - our current crop of politicians have let us down. They promised us Brexit and they failed to deliver. It’s time for change and someone who really represents local voters.

UKIP believes Britain deserves better and the current Boris deal is just a rehash of the one Theresa May failed to deliver after three years of negotiations. This is not what we were promised and 17.4 million people voted for.

UKIP will, with your support, deliver a full clean-break Brexit that puts us back in control of our own destiny but we also have a full range of policies for life after Brexit. You can see our manifesto at www.ukip.org.

We are the only party that is serious about ending mass immigration, currently an average of 250,000 a year. This is unsustainable and puts pressure on jobs, housing, roads and public services.

We would put the NHS ahead of Foreign Aid, scrap the BBC licence fee and ban non-stun slaughter. We defend British values and free speech.

I understand business, having worked in advertising sales to South West businesses and running my own small catering firm.

Start asking questions, research the problems. If elected I vow to help you.

NEIL PARISH (CONSERVATIVES)

Neil has been the MP for Tiverton & Honiton constituency since 2010. He has also been Chair of the powerful Environment Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee since 2015, holding the Government to account.

Prior to entering Parliament, Neil was a dairy farmer, local councillor - and then a popular MEP for the South West of England. There, he led the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and famously fought hard to get British beef back into EU markets after the BSE scandal.

Neil is passionate about animal welfare and his other interests include the politics of Africa. There remains a ban against Neil entering Zimbabwe, after he was highly critical of the Mugabe regime following the 2008 elections.

Throughout his time in politics, at all levels, Neil’s focus has always been standing up for residents and being a strong voice for the countryside.

In 2017, Neil increased his share of the local vote to 61.4%. In this election, he is prioritising getting Brexit done, investing in local schools, hospitals and police. He has also pledged to deliver on other vital issues like better broadband, pensioner and veteran care, transport upgrades and environmental protections.

Neil is married to his wife Sue. They have two children and two grandchildren.

ELIZABETH POLE (LABOUR)

I am your Labour Party candidate, Liz Pole, and I live near Axminster with my husband and two children, aged 15 and 14, who go to local state schools. I have run a successful international business software company for 20 years.

I’m a school governor, on the Health and Wellbeing Forum, and run a grant-funded empowerment programme for South West women. I have an economics degree from Manchester Business School and have worked in the USA as a financial executive. I chair the constituency Labour Party, have been a girl scout leader and have chaired school fundraising efforts over many years.

Devon is a beautiful and resilient place. I love knocking on doors with Labour, as it involves meeting so many people and hearing about how they live and what’s important to them. It means helping people when their carer hasn't turned up or when they need help finding services. Even many local Conservatives are sick of this government’s sticking-plaster policies and would like to see some real change.

I am standing for election because Labour has the best offer for rural, small-town and coastal Devon, backed by services and investment for young people, families and the elderly alike. I want our constituents to return to and improve upon the amenity of better times, with transport, communications, schools, health services, social care and small business support. Better for the many, not the few. Labour will build 100,000 genuinely affordable and social homes a year for ten years, so our young people can live in Devon on local wages. We will tackle low wages and end insecure employment.

Labour will achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030 by focusing on green technology, including offshore wind. Farming and fishing funds will support sustainable practices, smaller traders, local economies and community benefits. A regional investment bank for the South West will fund local small and medium enterprises, start-ups and innovation.

Devon residents want value for community, heritage and environment, as well as value for money. I live and work in our constituency and am the best choice to represent Tiverton and Honiton.

COLIN REED (GREEN PARTY)

Record poverty. Record homelessness. Millions using foodbanks. DWP persecution of thousands the United Nations has labelled a 'Humanitarian Crisis'. Pensioners forced to sell family homes to fund "care" provision.

NHS; Police; Education; Justice - ALL hugely underfunded. The richest 10% languishing on the breaking backs of good people.

It has to stop. Here are some of the ways I believe we can do better.

Proportional Representation empowers every voice, creating a culture of true social justice. Central government policies must demand corporate compliance and enable individuals to avert global disaster. Wellbeing not wealth, must drive legislation.

I support a final say on Europe. Because it’s their future I support 16+ voting eligibility.

I worked in management & personnel development, giving spare time to youth organisations before opening a tabletop wargames shop and accompanying club in Honiton.

Work became impossible due to onset of disability, coupled with being a lone-father. I enrolled with Open University, studying law to try to find a way back into work.

Having fought DWP repeatedly, winning every time, it’s fair to say I’m more of a determined and principled fighter than I am a politician. Faced with a time when huge change is needed maybe that’s a good thing?

DR JOHN TIMPERLEY (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS)

Dr. John Timperley has worked as a doctor in the NHS for 38 years. As a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, he his first-hand experience of the systematic break up and privatisation of the NHS. This fuelled his drive to stand for election.

“It is clear to me that Brexit and another Conservative government would destroy the NHS. Chronic underfunding, fragmentation of services, perpetual reform and the mantra that “we cannot afford it” are driving the agenda. Our Social Care Services are near collapse, and our mental health services are desperately underfunded. I will work to protect, build and integrate the NHS and social care services, and to make sure that mental health is treated with the same urgency as physical health”.

John believes passionately that our children deserve much better than they are currently getting. “Under the Tory government, children here in Devon are worth less. Average cuts in school funding in Tiverton and Honiton from 2015 to 2020 Amounted to £248 per child. This means staff and resources are over-stretched, schools are crumbling and our children are being failed. I will work tirelessly to bolster school funding, and improve children’s’ life chances through early years education.”

John first came to Devon as a junior doctor 35 years ago and has increasingly

alarmed by the threats posed to our countryside by the climate Emergency. “The imperative for urgent, immediate action to halt climate change through economic, social and political transformation is obvious. The Liberal Democrats have a raft of ambitious, detailed policies to help avert the global crisis. At the same time, Devon farmers must be rewarded for improving biodiversity and farming in a nature friendly way, while growing the food we need.”

Torbay

JAMES CHANNER (INDEPENDENT)

My name is James Channer, I am 45, married with three children and moved to South Devon three-years ago. I was born in a London squat, raised in inner-City social housing and left school with no qualifications aged 15. I turned my life around aged 18, eventually funding myself through University, where I studied Law. I went on to Bar School but chose to work in the City and now run my own Legal Recruitment company. Vote for me as I stand for: 1)Digital Democracy - Every five-years, sometimes sooner, we are asked to vote for a political Party. What often drives who we vote for though is frequently a single major political policy of the time. The problem is, when you vote for that policy, you also vote for everything else that Party wants to do for the next five-years, and you have no further say whatsoever. I would give the people of Torbay the power to tell me how to vote in Parliament on all the big issues – that’s real democracy, delivering for constituents, not deifying them! 2) I believe in a ‘Clean-Break Brexit’ but If you want to Leave or Remain, I will do as you ask - deliver for constituents. 3)The English Riviera has suffered decades of neglect and now has rising crime, increased homelessness, growing drug/alcohol abuse and the worst domestic violence record in the South West – I have a plan that can solve these issues one-by-one.

KEVIN FOSTER (CONSERVATIVES)

I was born in Plymouth and spent my childhood in Devon. My Father worked for 37 years as a Labourer/Painter in Devonport Dockyard. My Mother worked as a Teaching Assistant, continuing the job she loved until only 2 months before she lost her battle with Bowel Cancer in January 2014. I attended Glen Park Primary and Hele’s School in Plymouth.

My wife Hazel and I live on St Marychurch Road, near the heart of Torquay Town Centre. My Christian faith has been a constant throughout my life and I attend St Matthias Church.

Since first being elected in May 2015 I have been one of the most regular contributors in Parliament and campaigned on a range of issues affecting our bay, including delivering fairer school funding, securing our rail links, improving our digital infrastructure, building the facilities needed to train the next generation for hi-tech jobs and regenerating our town centres.

I want to Get Brexit Done so we can move onto issues like delivering the Town Deal worth up to £25m for Torquay, the Future High Streets Fund project for Paignton worth up to £15m, improving animal welfare and the major investment planned for our NHS.

LEE HOWGATE (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS)

Lee Howgate is a teacher and former Foreign Office diplomat who lives in Paignton. He has led campaigns against fire cuts and on the climate emergency at Torbay Council since being elected as a Councillor for Goodrington-with-Roselands. He has spent most of his teaching career in local schools, before becoming Assistant Headteacher at a large comprehensive near Plymouth. Lee grew up on a council estate in South Leeds before going on to win a scholarship and a Half-Blue at Oxford University. Lee is Chair of Overview and Scrutiny at Torbay Council, heading up the committee which acts as a watchdog on the Council's work. Lee is a member of Torquay Athletic Rugby club, for whom he used to play while teaching at Torquay Boys' Grammar School. Lee is married and has two children.

MICHELE MIDDLEDITCH (LABOUR)

Born in Yorkshire , I taught for 27 years in Bedfordshire in both secondary schools and latterly at Luton Sixth Form College. Enjoyable and challenging as teaching is, I was frustrated by various governments interfering with the education system and made a complete career change. This led me to Hampshire and a small, village Post Office which I ran successfully until I retired in 2016.The plan for retirement was to move to the South of France but Brexit intervened and after much heart searching I came to the English Riviera as the next best thing. Here I have become an active member of Torbay Labour Party and was elected CLP Secretary in February of this year. I am enjoying the responsibility along with the knowledge that I can make a difference to people’s lives.

WHY I’M IN POLITICS I have become increasingly concerned with the inequality I see every day. I am dismayed with the amount of privatisation in our NHS, Social Services and Housing; the hostile environment towards immigrants and the swingeing effects of austerity.

WHAT I WANT TO SEE I want to see investment in this country to create high productivity jobs, a housebuilding programme and rent control. Under Labour, Universal Credit would be scrapped and a real living wage introduced immediately. I am proud to stand on a manifesto of a reduction of inequality. We need sustained action on climate change, the scrapping of university fees, along with a complete analysis of our compulsory education system to ensure all children reach their full potential.

SAM MOSS (GREEN PARTY)

Sam was Green Party PPC for Torbay at the 2010 & 2017 general elections and mayoral candidate in 2011. He grew up in Totnes, Brixham and Paignton. He coordinated the successful Residents Saving Victoria Park (RSVP) campaign and was active in successful resident-led campaigns which have protected precious local green spaces from destruction, in Churston and Collaton St Mary.

With the Brixham Residents Against Tesco Supermarkets (BRATS) he successfully defended local independent businesses from unnecessary supermarket development in Brixham and was also one of the Green Party activists who worked for many years with various local and national NGOS on an alternative to the destructive South Devon Link Road.

He is a member of the Paignton Neighbourhood forum, a native tree seed collector for the Millennium Seed Bank at Kew Gardens and a long standing vegan and animal rights campaigner. Sam served nine years in the Royal Marines and is a life member of CND, the Permaculture Association, Buglife and many other NGOs/charities. He is a Chiropractic, and Renewable Energy, graduate and also a qualified pilot (a privilege no longer exercised due to environmental concerns).

He is currently the convenor of upcoming local charity The Friends of Little Blagdon Farm working to stop the sale of a 46-acre publicly-owned organic farm and secure land-rights for the community in rural Paignton. His political interests include de-growth, land-reform, energy and re-localisation.

Torridge and West Devon

DAVID CHALMERS (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS)

David Chalmers is not a career politician. After studying at Edinburgh University, he worked for HM treasury and latterly for the Economist group where he managed the Commercial Operations of the business in Asia Pacific for over ten years.

Upon returning to his family home in North Devon, David was elected to Fremington Parish Council in 2015 and now represents his home town of Appledore and is Chair of Finance on Northam Town Council. David is Governor of Petroc College and Chair of the local Charity, Sunrise.

David says: “I am extremely proud to have been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Torridge and West Devon, an area with a proud history of Liberal support.

If elected, I intend to champion the issues that are important to the people of Torridge and West Devon. I will end the underfunding of our public services, improve our infrastructure, attract investment and more high-paid skilled jobs, give us a voice in Westminster and tackle the climate emergency.

Furthermore, I will do all I can to stop Brexit which will do nothing for the farmers, businesses and people in our area.

David lives in Appledore and relaxes by walking his dog Archie.

GEOFFREY COX (CONSERVATIVES)

I am delighted to have been reselected by local Conservatives to stand again for an area which is my home and where I have lived with my family and brought up my children for twenty years.

It is a profound privilege to have represented Torridge and West Devon for the past 14 ½ years, and I am deeply grateful for the kindness and support that so many thousands of local people have given me in that time

I am determined to go on serving and protecting our communities and to support a new Conservative Government that is committed to an economic plan that enables us to level up Devon’s schools’ funding by a record amount so that every Devon schoolchild will benefit from the advantages enjoyed in many other parts of the country, build new hospitals in Barnstaple and Derriford and invest in better broadband connectivity and new rail and road links to serve our rural market towns and villages.

That is why we must get Brexit done now to move on to these urgent priorities

CHRIS JORDAN (GREEN PARTY)

We were given a link by the Green Party elections teams to the candidate page, which says 'No candidate information at this time'

https://my.greenparty.org.uk/candidates/106254

SIOBHAN STRODE (LABOUR)

Cllr Siobhan Strode is an energetic and passionate campaigner, a mum of two young boys (pupils in the constituency) and an experienced primary teacher. She is a Great Torrington Town Councillor working hard in the community, as well as juggling being a governor, Unite Community branch chair, Labour Chair, Parent Teacher Association secretary, and working as a self-employed copywriter.

She’s an honest and friendly person with a protective streak that comes from helping her mum raise her younger sisters. Siobhan’s childhood challenges enhanced her resilience and rooted her desire to make a difference which, together with classroom experiences and seeing the deteriorating living standards since 2010, have strengthened her aspirations to speak up for the vulnerable. She's passionate about putting people and planet before profit. Siobhan is proud of Labour’s commitment to Arts for All, and the plans for a National Education Service and finally getting some funding to our cash-starved Torridge and West Devon schools.

From surfing at Northam Burrows or cycling on the Tarka Trail, marathon training on long runs from Princetown across Dartmoor, and sunset yoga on Westward Ho! beach, to skimming stones with her sons at Hartland Quay, and camping in all weathers - Siobhan loves being outdoors in Torridge and West Devon with her family. When she takes a rare moment off, you’ll find her with her head buried in a good book or helping her sons build something awesome out of Lego.

BOB WOOTTON (INDEPENDENT)

I will be standing as an Independent in the General Election on December 12 2019.

As a Democrat, I believe the Referendum result should be respected. I believe in the Sovereignty of the citizen which should over-rule the sovereignty of Parliament. However, we need a Constitutional Convention to codify and create and write a constitution. This is what I would campaign for.

My priority as an independent standing for election is the Climate emergency, tackling the problem of domestic violence, homelessness and poverty. To solve these problems, it is necessary to empower the people to solve these problems for themselves.

This involves changing the law regarding tenants and landlords and changing the law regarding mortgages. And also replacing the current sexist and bullying benefit system with one that builds self esteem and economic independence.

About human rights; if you are a human being, you have a right to life; therefore you have a right (and obligation) to earn a living.

Therefore there is no need for governments to issue work permits or to make it illegal to earn a living; however, a government should make it a requirement to pay income tax for 5 or 10 years before a person is eligible for benefits.

Regarding the benefit system; child benefit should be abolished 10 months after a new government is formed and a “parenting skills allowance” of 100 hours at the NMW rate which should make every parent a qualified child minder or foster parent or nursery nurse. A super-nanny in every family!

Totnes

JOHN KITSON (INDEPENDENT)

The reason why I am standing as an Independent MP is to hold to account the British Government for the roll out of experimental, dangerous 5G technology which is being rolled out without concern for the health and well being of the British public, and the environment. No studies have been conducted that prove 5G to be safe, and there are thousands of peer reviewed scientific studies to show that EMF radiation emitted from wireless technology is dangerous to all living things. The 5G Space Appeal, EMFscientist appeal and the Lancet among many other scientific & medical journals all state this. If I get in as MP, I shall donate half of my salary to independent groups who are fighting pollution, including EMF radiation which is also a pollutant. I shall announce the groups each month in the local newspapers. Currently there is no Green candidate standing for Totnes, but I believe that taking a stand on such issues is of the upmost importance. Professor Martin Pall of Biochemistry at Washington State university stated that due to research studies on humans and animals, and the strong correlation with wireless exposure and neurological diseases he is predicting the collective collapse of neaurological function of modern societies within 6 to 7 years, and this is without 5G, with 5G he is predicting 6 months.

ANTHONY MANGNALL (CONSERVATIVES)

I have known Totnes and South Devon my entire life. My family grew up here and it is where many of them still live and work. Totnes and South Devon was the only seat I applied to represent at this election, because for me it means something to represent the place where you have local roots.

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From my time working in business, or on the Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative, to helping close the UK’s domestic ivory market, my record shows I can deliver and I want to put that skill to use in representing residents across the constituency.

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We need to improve the state of politics in this country through respect, integrity and engagement. That is why I have been knocking on doors for several months, listening to your concerns. I quit my job and put the deposit for my first house on the line, because the importance of improving our political system really matters to me. Being a local MP, championing local issues and delivering for you should be the objective of every MP. I am working to deliver Brexit, alongside focusing on the other issues that really matter: climate change, housing, health, education

LOUISE WEBBERLEY (LABOUR)

Louise Webberley lives and works in the constituency of Totnes. In her professional life she helps young people with mental health challenges. She is also a Labour Councillor for Totnes Town Council.

Louise has campaigned for many years against fracking and single-use plastics, and for divestment from fossil fuels. She supported the Town Council’s Declaration of Climate Emergency and the recent Climate Action Planning week.

In Louise’s work she sees first-hand the devastating impact of public service cuts on families and young people. Her first aim as an MP will be to make sure children have a healthy start in life, and young people have the opportunities they deserve.

Louise is also passionate about seeing Labour’s Green New Deal put into action. Totnes Labour Party has been at the front of this nationally, and this is one reason Louise has secured the backing of prominent Green Party activists, including the 2017 and 2019 candidates for Totnes.

Louise campaigned and would campaign to remain in the European Union. But she is also a strong believer in democracy, and a second referendum on Brexit as the only democratic way forward.

Louise is the only progressive candidate standing in Totnes in 2019, and the only candidate standing for a real change.

SARAH WOLLASTON (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS)

I have lived in South Devon for twenty-seven years and was privileged to work on the frontline of the NHS for twenty-four years before entering Parliament in 2010. I also spent several years as a police forensic examiner for Devon and Cornwall Police. For eleven years I worked as a GP on Dartmoor and taught junior doctors and medical students as well as examining for the Royal College of General Practitioners.

I wanted to bring a love of South Devon and some real-world experience to Parliament and speak out on the issues that face our coastal and rural communities. I have long campaigned on health and social care, mental health and wellbeing and prioritised these as the elected Chair of the cross party Health and Social Care Select Committee. Away from politics, I like to find time for keeping up with my husband Adrian on the back of a tandem.