ELECTION 2015: Who are the contenders?

There are five candidates battling it out to be the next MP for Bexhill and Battle.
Polling station, 2015 general election. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150705-091123001Polling station, 2015 general election. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150705-091123001
Polling station, 2015 general election. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150705-091123001

Huw Merriman is flying the flag for the Conservatives and hopes to follow in the footsteps of previous Tory MP Greg Barker, who announced last summer that he would not be standing for re-election.

Lawyer Huw, who lives near Heathfield, has served as a Wealden District Councillor for the last eight years.

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Transport links are an important issue to Huw, who has previously said he will campaign for the A21 to be upgraded and will ‘lead the charge’ to deliver better rail services for Battle.

Michelle Thew, who is standing for Labour, is a globally recognised campaigner as the chief executive of an international animal protection organisation.

Michelle has joined her party colleagues locally to defend essential services, such as post offices, fire stations and bus routes.

If elected, Michelle pledged to ensure support for local businesses and focus on the regeneration of Bexhill town centre.

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Liberal Democrat candidate Rachel Sadler has previously stood as a borough and county council candidate.

Rachel says she would be “a fresh pair of eyes” for Bexhill and Battle and as well as being concerned for the welfare of those who are struggling in difficult circumstances, she is also passionate about increasing the involvement of underrepresented groups in politics.

Johnathan Kent is the first candidate the Green Party has fielded in Bexhill and Battle in a General Election since 1992.

Johnathan, who grew up in the constituency, feels passionately about the future of the NHS, education and protecting towns, villages and countrysides from developers.

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A resident in the Bexhill and Battle constituency for 26 years, Geoffrey Bastin hopes to win the seat for UKIP.

He has previously spoken about his concerns surrounding town planning and over development of greenfield sites.

Geoffrey has pledged his support for a Bexhill Town Forum or Area Committee as he believes Bexhill deserves more local decision making to match Battle and Rye.

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