In the first part of the Echo‘s coverage of General Election 2017, all four candidates for Chingford and Woodford Green make their pitch to voters

Dear Chingford voters

Your vote matters.

Our filthy air is killing over 40,000 people every year. Our ageing population needs accessible health services – just when the government plans to slash funding by £22bn. Brexit is creating levels of economic uncertainty not seen in generations. And then there’s climate change…

Now, more than ever, we need strong, ethical political decisions. Instead, we are being sold the lie that you can be either effective or principled – but not both. Our new kind of politics is willing to work across parties and parliamentary terms to get the right things done. Voting for the Greens will enable our country and its people to flourish.

Greens can provide the support needed for everyone to participate fully, offering free healthcare and education, clean air, green spaces, good transport running on clean energy, and prospering local business. We are determined to hand this country in good working order to future generations; no misguided vanity projects, no private contracts taking taxpayers’ money out of services, timely prevention rather than expensive cure.

As a barrister, I fight every day for teachers, nurses and doctors, small and medium businesses and public authorities. I know that everyone, regardless of background or abilities has something valuable to offer. As your MP I will be an effective advocate to deliver a Green future.

It’s possible. It’s realistic. We can do this. Your vote really matters here. Join the thousands of people voting Green and change the face of British politics for the better.

Sinead King Green Party

Bilal Mahmood, the Labour Party’s parliamentary candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green

Dear Chingford voters

I want to be your voice in parliament because I was born in Whipps Cross Hospital, raised in Woodford Green, and I care passionately about this area. It’s here I learnt the values of fairness, aspiration and community. I hope I share these values with you and together we can make Chingford and Woodford Green better.

Our area is changing. For many years Labour candidates here weren’t seen as serious contenders. But in 2015 I stood as your Labour candidate because I was serious about giving our community a choice about who speaks for them on national issues. I’m standing again because we need a voice that represents us on issues like building an economy that works for everyone and protecting vital public services.

I’m committed to supporting local businesses and protecting our precious community services. Most of all, I want to nurture a cohesive and welcoming community. I’ll do this by supporting a £10 living wage by 2020, ban letting agency fees, and putting 10,000 more police on the streets.

In particular, I’ll do all I can locally to:

Together, we can help create a fairer more prosperous society, with more opportunities for everyone.

Bilal Mahmood Labour Party

Iain Duncan Smith, the Conservative Party’s parliamentary candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green

Dear Chingford voters

One year ago this country voted to leave the European Union. It doesn’t matter whether you voted to ‘leave’ or ‘remain’, over the next two years we will need to get the best deal which benefits us in the negotiations. Theresa May is the only strong and stable leader who can get that deal.

I will support her in her drive to protect the rights of workers and pensioners and as she helps those who need to look after a sick or disabled family member, by giving them the time away from work to do this while they are still paid. Despite having to sort out the economy after Labour’s having crashed it, with Theresa May we have ensured health spending has been ring fenced and has risen every year with a further £10bn going into the NHS.

I have fought hard on many issues for my constituents over the years and I promise to continue to do so over the next five years if elected.

Our strong and stable management of the economy has meant we can afford to invest in improving services. Labour’s plan to tax more, spend more, borrow more, will leave the UK families facing a tax increase of at least £4,000 every year. With one of the fastest growing economy in the OECD, we have reformed welfare getting record numbers of people off benefits and into work – we cannot let Jeremy Corbyn and his planned Coalition of Chaos wreck it now.

Iain Duncan Smith Conservative Party

Deborah Unger, the Liberal Democrat’s parliamentary candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green

Dear Chingford voters

It’s time for a change in Chingford and Woodford Green. I am standing for the Liberal Democrats because I believe in tolerance, openness and fairness.

I was appalled by the dishonesty of the Brexit campaign. Pro-leave politicians misled everyone. There will be no £350million more per week for the NHS, rather a £100billion Brexit divorce settlement!

Vote Liberal Democrat on 8th June because I pledge to work super-hard to:

My background is in fighting corruption. Elect an MP untainted by the mess in Westminster. The Tories will make you poorer with Brexit; Labour will do the same by destroying the economy. Vote Liberal Democrat for positive a change. Vote for me!

Deborah Unger Liberal Democrat Party

The deadline to register to vote in the 2017 General Election is Monday 22nd May at 11.59pm:

Visit gov.uk/register-to-vote

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