In the lead-up to the General Election on July 4 the Citizen will be running a series of interviews with the seven candidates hoping to be the next MP for North East Cambridgeshire.
Each of the seven: Steve Barclay (Conservative), David Chalmers (Lib Dem), Andrew Crawford (Green), Javeria Hussain (Labour), David Patrick (Independent), Clayton Payne (Workers Party of Britain), Chris Thornhill (Reform), will be asked a series of the same questions to give voters more of an understanding of themselves and their views.
Here Andrew Crawford the Green Party’s hope for our area outlines what has motivated him to stand for election, and what he hopes to choose should he win the seat next month.
Andrew currently lives in March, and raised his family in the town – he has three grown-up children and has now retired from business and the workplace.
It has been a few weeks since the election was called how is your campaign going?
“Firstly there has been a lot of work behind the scenes to sort out all the necessary documentation for my nomination.
“Secondly we are not in a position to go knocking on doors. There are 75,000 homes in North East Cambridgeshire and I worked out it would take nearly five years working 24 hours a day to knock them all.
“In the past doorstep canvassing was the way politicians got their message out. But I believe if can be an invasion of privacy - not everyone wants to have people knocking on their doors when they are busy getting on with living. I’m not convinced either that a ‘door to door’ salesman which is essentially what you are is the best way to put policies forward.
“These days we have the internet and social media and it offers a great way of getting our message across. Most young people rely on the internet for their information, they don’t buy newspapers or read physical bits of paper that drop through their letterboxes, which is why we are focusing on our online presence.
“We will send out leaflets to every household, but as a party concerned about the environment we have to think carefully about what we do in terms of distributing lots of literature.”
What sort of response have you had so far?
“Overall the reaction has been very positive. There does seem to be a wider support for the Green Party than there has been previously.
“I am hoping that being local will make a big difference as I am familiar with the area. Green Party policy is to keep things local – we don’t feed from the top down but from the bottom up. A Green Party vote is a local vote.
“Living locally means I am affected by what is happening locally and therefore I have a vested interest.”
Why are you running for MP?
“I wanted to offer an alternative to the bigger parties. It is up to the people whether or not they take that opportunity. I want to make a difference and I will stand up for what I think is right for our area, and what people want.”
What will you do for North East Cambridgeshire if elected?
“My first and absolute priority is to make myself available to the electorate. Regardless of what’s happening in Westminster, my primary consideration will be to be available and accessible to the local people. I feel that is somewhat lacking at the moment.
“I think generally politicians live in ivory towers and dismiss the problems people have. Career politicians have orders from above and frankly do not understand the issues that really affect people.
“There are many issues affecting people in this area. One of the biggest is the Wisbech Conservative-led incinerator. The Conservative candidate has said he is opposed to it, but his party has given it the go-ahead.
“Speaking for myself if my party did something that I was so strongly opposed to I would have to resign from the party – especially if it was something my constituents didn’t want and were so against. I would see resigning as the only option.
“Obviously when you stand for a party you are standing for the ethos of that party and my party stands primarily for the environment, against climate change, looking to promote renewable energy, promoting active travel to promote health and well-being, social justice and fairness.
“There is an awful lot of money riding on the incinerator which is going to make a few people very rich. People need to decide what side of the fence they are standing on whether it is the side of making money, or the side of constituents who don’t want it built in our area.”
Is it a time for change?
“I would say yes, it is definitely a time for change. We need politicians who can’t be bought, who are in it to help people and do the right thing. Procurement of Government contracts should be made on the best person/company for the job, and in the best interests of the people, not on whether there is a benefit such as party donations to be had. It is a moral issue. Sometimes things should be done that may cost more, but are the right thing for society rather than big business and profit.”
What would your key priorities be?
“There are so many issues in this area that need addressing and that includes improving healthcare and education opportunities, and public transport. Putting the local community first, listening to what people want.”
What are your hopes/expectations for July 4?
“This is a staunchly Conservative area, but if we can gain at least five percent of the vote so we retain our deposit, that would be a great next stage of political growth for the Green Party in Fenland. It could be a challenge as it all depends on whether people vote tactically or they choose to vote for the party they really want to see win.”
What is your final message for voters?
“I am standing to give people an alternative choice. If I get in I will do everything I can do to represent this area and do what I believe is right for Fenland and the people who live here.”
