WE at the Journal have asked each of Salisbury's election candidates six questions relating to the hot topics surrounding politics - as well as a few human ones.
Here, Conservative candidate John Glen gives us his answers.
If you are elected, what would be the first thing you would do for Salisbury and its constituents?
The reason we are having this election now is in the hope of securing a majority so that a Conservative government can deliver Brexit. Therefore, my first obligation would have to be to fulfil the promise made to the British people by all the main political parties that the result of the referendum would be respected. My local priorities will continue to range across all aspects of the life of our community – driving forward investment in education and infrastructure, addressing traffic issues and making sure we stay on track to become the first full fibre city in the UK. The greatest privilege in this job is when a constituent contacts me to say that my intervention has helped them solve a problem in their life. Therefore, my first act as MP would be to schedule a surgery to hear from individual people what I can do to help them.
What has driven you to stand in this election?
It has been an absolute privilege to serve the people of Salisbury for the past nine and a half years. I live in and love this constituency and I want to see it prosper. For me, politics has always been about people. I have a passion for public service. I am driven to continually improve educational opportunities for young people, economic opportunities for working people and the maintenance of a fair and compassionate welfare system to support the vulnerable. My overarching priority is to secure the economic growth we need to be able to continue to invest in excellent public services, particularly our NHS and our superb hospital and GP services.
You have a day off in Salisbury. What would you do and why?
Being an MP is not a job – it is a way of life! However, I always try to preserve Sundays as best I can. Assuming, therefore, that my day off is a Sunday, I would start with a run around the city and then go to church at St Paul’s. Then I would go for a lovely lunch at one of our excellent village pubs before having a long walk – maybe in the Chalke Valley or the Woodford Valley The evening would be spent in my flat in the centre of Salisbury in the company of good friends and, if I’m lucky, I would catch an episode of Endeavour before bed!
What are your views on Brexit?
I voted Remain in 2016 but have always accepted that the majority in the country and in this constituency did not. I have argued consistently in my Journal column, in my personal newsletter and to every single constituent who has contacted me that the result must be upheld. I have never wavered from that view and I also voted against motions to ban a no deal Brexit. I believe that politicians cannot and must not chose which results they adhere to. The fundamental principle of democracy must be upheld. I am committed to delivering Brexit. The new deal ensures that we can revoke freedom of movement, leave the single market, leave the customs union and take control of our borders and our laws. Only then can the country move on to crucial domestic issues and face a future on the world stage with optimism and confidence.
If there was one thing you’d change about Salisbury, what would it be?
It would be wonderful sometimes if we could be a little swifter to embrace the opportunities that new ideas and positive change can bring. We should value and protect our medieval heritage and our precious natural environment, but I would also like to see Salisbury have an optimistic vision for the future that goes beyond the familiar and offers our young people compelling reasons to stay, live, work and raise their own families here. Attracting well paid high-tech jobs is one priority. Another important task is to enhance the vibrancy and diversity of the city centre with better leisure facilities, additional parks and green spaces and a nationally significant new arts venue.
Climate change is a major worldwide epidemic. What are your views on this?
I am convinced of the existence of man-made climate change and the need to take urgent global action. It is a fact that 2018 was our greenest year with renewable sources supplying a third of electricity. But I am not complacent. There is much more to do. I am proud that this country is decarbonising faster than any other G20 country and was the first developed country to set a zero carbon target. However, I do not support climate strikes that result in lost schooling for our children or disruption to the emergency services and ordinary people going about their business. I am more interested in practical and effective policies such as the Green Finance Institute - an initiative I helped introduce in government to incentivise investment in green energy. I will continue to engage wholeheartedly in this rapidly changing policy debate and continue to be guided by the evidence.
Click below for the answers from the other candidates.
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