ELECTION 2010: Wirral candidates on why younger people should vote for them and Mersey tunnel tolls

Apr 21 2010 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL’S 2010 election promises to be the keenest fought in the region – but what would YOU like to ask the candidates in your area?

This week, voters have asked all those standing what they will do to attract young supporters and how they view the tunnel tolls, but what is the most pressing issue in your mind?

Over the next two editions, we will put your questions to all the candidates working hard to win your vote and print their responses to help you decide where to place your cross on May 6.

There are four constituencies in Wirral, all currently held by Labour, but 2008’s local council elections show how quickly the result can swing.

Frank Field looks comfortable protecting a majority that tops 13,000 in Birkenhead, while Angela Eagle has a healthy 9,000 vote buffer in Wallasey, but has seen council seats in her constituency snapped up by the Conservatives in successive local elections since 2005.

Wirral West and Wirral South, Labour seats since 1997, are being defended by newcomers to the national scene, Phil Davies and Alison McGovern respectively, who face a strong challenge from the Tories’ Esther McVey and Jeff Clarke.

And the Lib Dems will seek to build on the momentum generated by Nick Clegg’s performance in the leaders’ debates.

Send your questions to matt.hurst@liverpool.com or call 0151 330 5042.

* See next week for an additional focus on Ellesmere Port and Neston.

BIRKENHEAD ELECTION 2010

Why should young people vote for you?

Frank Field (Lab)

As a young voter I hope you will have noticed that I was the only MP in the last Parliament to call for a quicker and a fair balancing of the budget so that future generations are not crippled with repaying our debt.

The Institute of Fiscal Studies calculates that by the end of this next Parliament every household will be paying £3,000 a year more in tax just to pay the interest on the debt we have already run up.

That £60 per week more in tax will rise unless we get public expenditure levels down to the levels we can raise in taxation.

Andrew Gilbert (Con)

You don't have to be young to understand the concerns of young people, but it must help.

As the youngest candidate and a university lecturer, I understand the ambitions and pressures of young voters.

My party will provide 10,000 extra university places this year and 400,000 more training places over the next two years.

We will help young people get on the property ladder by permanently removing stamp duty for first time buyers up to £250,000, put green issues at the heart of government and play our part in tackling global poverty.

Stuart Kelly (Lib Dem)

As a father of two, and as someone who works training young people, I do not recognise the demonisation they often receive from the media.

I would work to improve the perception of young people by working with them to develop services relevant to their own lives.

Lib Dem policies to improve education will help with their life choices. Increasing support for apprenticeships will equip them with skills to find well paid jobs.Tackling climate change by reshaping our economy away from financial services towards green industries and services will protect the environment.

What are your views on the tunnel tolls?

Frank Field

They should be phased out by treating the capital cost like all other major transport projects around the country.

Andrew Gilbert

In principle I am opposed to the tolls, although at present there’s no spare public money to abolish them and the Conservative party cannot yet make that commitment.

However, if elected, I will continue to give full backing to moves by Wirral Conservatives to cut costs for tunnel users.

I will also meet with our transport ministers on a regular basis to press home the case for removing the toll.

Stuart Kelly

I am a regular tunnel user and do not resent paying the tunnel toll.

I have a choice of taking the bus or train to Liverpool; it is never questioned that I pay to use public transport.

If a toll were removed I predict traffic chaos, increased congestion and poor air quality.

If money is available I would want to see the extension of the Merseyrail line at least to Prenton with new stations at Prenton and Beechwood.