Ben Sims is the Liberal Democrat candidate standing for the Leyton and Wanstead constituency at this month’s General Election. Here’s why he thinks he deserves your vote on 12 December
Our politics is broken. The Conservative Party has abandoned any claim to economic competence for an ever-harder Brexit. The Labour Party spend their time squabbling rather than opposing a Brexit that would do untold damage to our communities.
Both are stuck in the past, failing time and again to deliver a better future. Re-electing a Brexit-backing, Corbyn-supporting Labour MP means more of the same.
Thankfully, things are changing. In May, the Liberal Democrats won the European Elections in London. We have an ambitious plan for the future of our country, where every person, every community and our planet can thrive.
We can stop Brexit and use the £50 billion Remain bonus to rebuild our country. Once Brexit is stopped, my number one priority will be the climate emergency. We will generate 80% of our electricity from renewables by 2030 and commit to insulating all low-income homes by 2035.
I will lead the fight against the ridiculous plans to expand London City Airport. It is senseless to inflict noise and air pollution across east London for the benefit of the very few who use the airport.
I will continue to oppose school cuts. We will make sure that every child has the best start in life by recruiting 20,000 more teachers and committing an extra £10 billion a year to our schools. We will transform mental health funding, giving mental health the same priority as physical health. We will put a penny on the pound on income tax to give our NHS the cash injection it sorely needs.
If you elect me as your MP, I will listen to you on the issues that matter. I will work hard to be a great constituency MP. I will hold regular weekend surgeries so as many people as possible can see their MP, and respond to all constituent emails politely within two weeks, even if I disagree with them. I will live in the constituency, taking an active part in the daily life of the area and sharing the pleasures – and problems – of this fantastically vibrant place.
I’m not a career politician: I first stood here in 2017 and run a small business. I can bring the skills and ideas of the real world to Parliament: we need solutions fit for the 21st century, not tired slogans. I will be Leyton and Wanstead’s representative at Westminster, not Westminster’s representative in Leyton and Wanstead. On 12 December, don’t vote for more of the same. Vote for me to stop Brexit and build a brighter future.
