Wandsworth general election 2015: Let the battle for Battersea commence

Wandsworth’s three former MPs Justine Greening, for Putney, Jane Ellison, for Battersea, and Sadiq Khan, for Tooting, have all been competing to keep their respective seats.

Meanwhile strong candidates from rival parties have been hitting the campaign trail hard to become an elected MP in the brighter borough.

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General election 2015: Putney's candidates trying to shake the Tory stronghold

To aid constituents in their decision of who to vote for, the Wandsworth Guardian has asked candidates some key questions: 

1. Name one thing you will proactively change in the borough if you are elected
2. What has been your proudest achievement within your constituency in the last three years?
3. What sets you apart from your fellow prospective parliamentary candidates?
4. What has been the most difficult conversation you have had while canvassing?
5. Why should people vote for you?

Battersea is undoubtedly the most closely contested seat in the borough as Labour’s Will Martindale tries to overturn Jane Ellison’s 5,977 Conservative majority. 

The constituency has a long history of left-wing politics but an influx of young people, wealth and development has changed the area’s dynamics in recent years.

Thousands more people are expected to move to the area due to the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station, Nine Elms and the Northern line extension, which should also create many jobs.

However, the area contains some of the most deprived pockets in the UK, many of which are set to undergo redevelopment. 

Jane Ellison, Conservatives

Ms Ellison was elected MP for Battersea in 2010. Before entering Parliament, she worked for the John Lewis Partnership for 23 years. She gives practical help to local businesses and is president of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce. 

She fought successfully to keep Battersea’s Bolingbroke Hospital site in community use - now home to a school and health centre. A leading campaigner against female genital mutilation, Jane founded the FGM Parliamentary group and is the Public Health Minister at the Department of Health.

1. Better access to the platforms at local railway stations. Investment has gone into longer platforms and better ticket offices, which is great, and I've secured funding for future changes at Battersea Park. However there are still far too many older or disabled residents who struggle, not to mention parents carrying buggies up and down stairs. 

2. I've made supporting local businesses a real priority over the last five years so I was proud to be made the first president of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce. Unemployment here is down by 40 per cent since 2010 and there are over 500 new businesses in this constituency since 2010, creating new opportunities for local people. 

3. Experience and my track record. Working for John Lewis for over 20 years before being elected was good preparation for being a MP; I responded to over 14,000 constituents in the last five years and held hundreds of advice surgeries. On the wider stage, I took a neglected issue like female genital mutilation and made ending it a national priority. 

4. I find it depressing when people say all politicians are corrupt, which happens occasionally. It's not true but after the expenses scandal I understand people's cynicism - it's one of the reasons I didn't  claim any personal expenses as a MP. The other really difficult conversations are with people who are recently bereaved and clearly grieving; suddenly politics matters far less.

5. Thinking nationally, voting for me makes an Ed Miliband government less likely - a good thing in my view. Locally, as the MP for the last five years it was a privilege to work for everyone, whatever their politics or background, in a practical and positive way. I would serve the constituency in the same way again if I am re-elected. 

Will Martindale, Labour 

Mr Martindale lives just off Lavender Hill with his family. He plays tennis at Battersea Park, swims at Latchmere Leisure Centre and shops at Asda. 

His links to Battersea go back three generations. He started his career in the private sector, working for JPMorgan in London and New York. He says he knows what it is like to balance the books, hire new staff and face redundancy. He also worked for Oxfam and the United Nations. 

1. The number one issue in this election is housing. Local families struggle to get on the housing ladder, with property prices up £3,000-a-week. Last year, rents were rising by 15 per cent. And Battersea’s home to the highest bedroom tax in the country. A Labour government will double home-building, scrap the bedroom tax and reform the rental market. As your MP, I’ll make sure property developers deliver their fair share of affordable housing to rent and buy.

2. I led the campaign to stop the Conservative council charging children £2.50 to play at Battersea Park adventure playground, bringing together children, parents and community leaders from across Battersea. In recent weeks, I was proud to invite Baroness Doreen Lawrence to meet with A-level students at Harris Academy on Battersea Park Road. Doreen shared her fight for justice, and answered questions on why young people must make their voices heard.

3. My links to Battersea go back three generations. My dad grew up here. I’m bringing my family up here. As your MP, I’ll base my parliamentary office here in Battersea. My background is in maths and economics, working for JPMorgan in London and New York. My knowledge of finance, together with my passion for social justice, led me to work for Oxfam and the United Nations. This is the skill set I’ll take to Parliament to make sure we never again have a crisis in finance.

4. On Christmas Eve I volunteered at Wandsworth foodbank. I met Carmen. Her partner hit her, so she left. Like so many in her position, her benefit payments were delayed. She needed help to feed her children. Punitive sanctions on benefit payments are used four times more frequently than a decade ago. Her doctor referred her to the Foodbank. "Coming here was hard", she told me.

5. I believe everyone – whatever their background – should have the chance to fulfil their potential. My pledges for Battersea, Balham and Wandsworth are to deliver simpler, cheaper childcare, make sure property developers build affordable housing to rent and buy, to protect our NHS for future generations, and help to reform the banking sector to ensure we never again have a crisis in finance.

Joe Stuart, Green Party 

Mr Stuart has lived in Battersea for over 25 years and served in the forces for six years full-time and for 11 years as a reserve. Later he worked for Lambeth and Wandsworth councils starting as a welder and fitter and then became a repair officer and a street inspector for environmental services.

He is a trustee member of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and the Royal Brompton Hospital working to raise funds for new hospital equipment. He used to be a keen cricketer but now he plays dominoes in his spare time.

1. I will work to make sure that regeneration projects don't result in the loss of social housing.

2. My work as a volunteer with the Doddinton Estate Family Centre and serving on the management committee of the Doddington Rollo Business Centre.

3. Living on a council estate I have seen the challenges that face people on low incomes and understand the need for real change in our political system to bring social justice and act for the common good.

4. Countering the misplaced fears about immigration that other parties have allowed to develop as an excuse for failures in the provision public services.

5. Because the Green Party is the only party that understands that austerity isn't working and has a fully costed manifesto laying out how we can do things differently.

Chris Howe, Ukip 

Mr Howe has been married for more than 30 years to his wife Beata, who is Polish, and they have two grown up children. He was born, raised and educated in Battersea, firstly at Wix’s Lane infants and junior school and later Sir Walter St John’s Grammar School for Boys, near Battersea Square.

His father used to own a furniture retailers at 295 Lavender Hill. He left school aged 17 and worked in the insurance and banking. He now works as a self-employed teacher of English and joined Ukip two years ago.

1. As per Ukip's manifesto I will introduce the Citizens' Initiative, and introduce local referenda. I will honour the precious legacy of an independent nation passed on to us for safe keeping, and retrieve those Magna Carta safeguards that have been given away. I will demand accountability for wrongdoings at all levels of public service.

2. Giving genuine hope to local residents, where none existed before. If elected I will help save Battersea Sports Centre from closure. The beloved community sports and recreation centre of fifty years, will be left alone on its home site, and not moved in the name of affordable housing. A refurbishment will do the trick, with new accommodation above. 

3. I was born and raised in Battersea. I would never use the Royal British Legion to promote a political Party while voting against honouring the Military Covenant. Ukip will build a dedicated military hospital for serving personnel and veterans. I will not betray local residents by claiming to save a sports centre yet happily allow it to be moved. 

4. Trying to ‘connect’ with a disenfranchised resident and his question 'What are your policies this week'? Answering and standing up to lies, slander and deceit is easy. There is nothing stronger than the truth. ‘Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it’ – Churchill.

5. I will uphold the traditional democratic values, and Christian heritage, that has formed our national identity. I believe in true education, not targets. I seek personal liberty and responsibility. I will limit the intrusion of the State in your life, so that you do not become an unwitting and conditioned servant of it. The lowest tide is when it turns.

Luke Taylor, Liberal Democrats 

Luke Taylor has been an active member of the Liberal Democrats for six years. Outside the Wandsworth party, Luke is a member of the Association of Liberal Democrat Engineers and Scientists, who work to promote policy based on evidence, research and sound science.

Luke has a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Imperial College London, and works as a transport planner in central London, where his role includes analytical work and managing projects for clients around the world. 

1. Battersea is an amazing place to live, but it is now impossible for ordinary people to afford to live here. The Tory council has refused to build homes for those that need it the most. I will change that and ensure that everyone has the chance to live in Battersea, and stop the Tories forcing people away from their families, friends and communities.

2. I was incredibly proud to be selected as the candidate for the Liberal Democrats in Battersea because this position gives me the platform to talk about the issues I care about: housing, education and the NHS, to the community I love. I want to make Battersea better and being your candidate for the election will allow me to do that. 

3. I was brought up by teachers and taught to value education above all. I attended my local comprehensive and saw the value of a top quality state education. Liberal Democrats believe that education is the key enabler of self-improvement. If we are to provide opportunity for all then education must be our top priority. Only the Liberal Democrats will ensure that state schools get the funding and freedom they need to give our children the education they deserve.

4. Talking to a Liberal Democrat voter who feels angry about the party joining the Tories in government is always difficult. However I relish every conversation because afterwards almost every one of them agrees that the policies that we have been able to deliver over the past 5 years, and the damage the Tories would have done if governing alone, make the sacrifices of coalition worthwhile.

5. The Liberal Democrats are the only party that represent all of our community, no matter where they come from, what they earn, or what they want to achieve. Labour have no economic credibility, and the Tories will cut the size and role of the state to the bone. Only a vote for Luke Taylor and the Liberal Democrats will ensure we can continue the recovery, but continue it fairly.