The candidates for the Winchester & Chandler's Ford seat make their pledges

Steve Brine, Conservative

“This General Election is one of the most important and unpredictable in years.

“It’s about the kind of MP you want but it is also about the government you elect.

Remember, either David Cameron or Ed Miliband will be in No. 10 so you decide whether we stick to the plan that’s working – the jobless count here has fallen by 65 per cent since 2010 – or take a different path.

“There are many important issues – but all of them, ultimately, depend on one thing: economic security.

“So many people put their faith in me last time and I hope I’ve repaid that by doing exactly what I promised; to be first and foremost a good constituency MP. I have utterly rejected negative campaigning and am once again running a 100 per cent positive campaign.

“As an experienced MP I am able to get things done locally; £10m secured for new school places, making the local NHS my top priority and helping to deliver complete re-surfacing of the M3 are a few examples.

“I am also able to make an impact nationally in areas such as justice, health and transport policy.

I hope Winchester and Chandler’s Ford will Make it Steve Again in 2015 and ensure we return a Conservative Government in the process.”

Mark Chaloner, Labour

“Winchester and Chandler’s Ford need an MP committed to social justice and fairness, I would be just that. Choose between a Labour MP as part of a Labour government or a Lib-Dem or Tory MP who will have to carve up yet more unsatisfactory compromises.

“Only Labour will stop exploitative zero hour contracts and tax bankers’ bonuses and non-dom’s to fund projects that benefit society, such as reducing tuition fees so all young people can aspire to a university education.

This is crucial here in Winchester where, often in plain view, one finds poverty and despair and the young can only dream of achieving their parents’ wealth.

“Labour are committed to protecting the NHS from cuts, privatisation or further costly re-organisations.

“Rather than maintain the discredited PCC system Labour want sensible police governance safe-guarding frontline services – vital when one considers the current cuts within Hampshire Constabulary.

“Another Labour commitment is affordable housing and think of the way local Conservative and Lib-Dem administrations have failed in Silver Hill, to see the difference Labour can make.

“Winchester has so many strengths but current government policies prevent the country, and Winchester, from thriving. Elect me as a strong, just voice for Winchester.”

Martin Lyon, UKIP

“Over the past 40 years the two main parties have colluded over the EU question. National and local control has been handed over to Brussels by way of legal process, directives and regulation without consulting the British people. Why is this and what has your MP done about it?

“Over half the electorate wish to leave the EU and on that basis alone UKIP should represent the British people in Winchester.

“MPs by definition must represent the majority acting without fear or favour. Many agree that elected politicians, locally and nationally, have failed to represent their views.

Why is this – fear or favour?

“As an elected county member I am aware that many decisions are taken ‘behind closed doors’.

“Issues such as Silver Hill and Barton Farm clearly demonstrate how this can happen; where local and national government and big business (developers) have a complete disregard for the opinions and needs of the local community.

“I hope more Winchester nonvoters in 2015 become engaged in politics. One can’t please everybody all of the time but as your MP I would work hard to ensure that all views are fully considered.”

Jackie Porter, Liberal Democrat

“Many of you are involved with the NHS, as a patient or staff.

Getting the right services from maternity to end of life, including mental health too, needs money and careful thought. I’ll stand up for you.

“Everyone needs to know how they will pay their bills. We need a strong, greener economy, and Liberal Democrats want a fairer society too, with those on lower income keeping more of their money and children having every opportunity to thrive, using the pupil premium and qualified teachers in every school.

“Housing us all is a challenge here. I want to be your MP so we can offer a ‘Rent to Own’ scheme, where young people have a chance to buy as they rent. See our website www.winld.org.uk/homes “I will work for Winchester to be a 21st century economy within the ancient city, with World Heritage status, and superfast broadband right across the constituency.

“Having been here for 35 years I’ve lived through a generation. We came here because there was a good job and we found housing that we could afford.

“I want that to be possible for you too. I can do that if you elect me as your MP.”

Michael Wilks, Green

“Reaction to the Green Party campaign is overwhelmingly positive. Our national policies on the economy, NHS, housing and transport are getting strong support.

“In all of these “sustainability” is a key theme.

"That means promising a living wage of £10 per hour by 2020, a ‘Robin Hood Tax’ on banks, and cancelling Trident.

“With these taxes and savings we will abolish the iniquitous bedroom tax, build 500,000 socially rented homes by 2020, reverse the privatisation of the NHS, putting patients before profit.

“We will take public transport into public ownership, expand bus services and prioritise walking and cycling in city centres. On the environment we will invest in renewable and sustainable energy and on education scrap university tuition fees and bring academies and free schools under local authority control.

“Locally we are getting strong support for a council that listens to residents’ views, local planning decisions that reflect local needs and local transport policy that gives people access to a city centre free of traffic pollution and choked streets.

“Nationally and locally the Green Party’s membership has quadrupled.

"This is the “Green Surge”; we invite the voters of Winchester to join it.”