Not sure who to vote for? Your vote on 7th May will help to decide who runs our country for the next five years and whether local man Gavin Barwell remains as our MP.
Who do you want as our MP? It’s a two-horse race between Gavin Barwell and Labour’s Sarah Jones. Here are some of the key differences: Gavin Barwell has been our MP for the last five years and before that was a councillor for 12 years. He’s achieved a lot including getting funding from the Government and Boris Johnson to rebuild after the riots, helping to bring Westfield to Croydon and convincing the Government to build a new Emergency Department at our local hospital.
On crime Gavin believes in a zero tolerance approach to crime.
Track Records Labour’s Sarah Jones has no experience as an MP or local councillor.
Sarah says Gavin is “too macho” when it comes to crime. Commenting on last year’s illegal rave at the former Royal Mail sorting office next to East Croydon station, which resulted in serious injuries (from which one person sadly later died) and major criminal damage, she said “youth is about exploration, pushing boundaries, seeking out fun and moulding your personality”.
Gavin says we should protect our remaining green spaces - new housing should go on brownfield sites.
On school fields Gavin opposed Croydon Council’s plans to build on some school playing fields.
Gavin opposes Croydon Council’s plan to impose a tax on all private landlords, which he argues will just get passed on to hard-pressed tenants.
Gavin has published his vision for the future of Croydon - see www.gavinbarwell.com/visionforcroydon
Sarah believes the On green spaces Council needs to “be brave and build in places people might not want us to”
Sarah refused to comment on Croydon Council’s plans to build on some school playing fields for fear of upsetting her Labour colleagues.
On Rents Sarah supports Croydon Council’s plans to impose a tax on all private landlords.
On our future Sarah hasn’t published any manifesto.
Who do you want in charge of the country? Realistically there are only two options: David Cameron or Ed Miliband (probably supported by the SNP’s Salmond and Sturgeon). You may think neither is perfect, but one of them will end up running the country and representing the UK abroad: who would you prefer? Here are the key differences:
Track Records
Has been Prime Minister for five years. Got us out of Afghanistan, fixed our economy and reduced the EU budget. Has a long-term plan which The is delivering more jobs, rising living standards and a falling deficit. Will eliminate the deficit by 2017/18.
Ed Miliband/SNP
Was a junior cabinet minister for just over a year. Is he strong enough to stand up to the likes of Putin abroad and Salmond and Sturgeon at home?
economy
Debt
Was an adviser to Gordon Brown when things went wrong. Still won’t admit Labour spent too much. Admits he will borrow more - which means lumbering our children with more of our debt.
Will cut income tax for 30 million people by raising the amount of money you have to earn before you start paying income tax and the 40p rate threshold.
Tax
Admits he will raise taxes by £15 billion - but won’t say which ones.
Will increase the amount of Has put a cap on the total amount of benefits out-of-work families Benefits benefits out-of-work families can get can get. to ensure no-one gets more than the average working family (under Labour some families got over £50,000 a year). Wants to increase the NHS budget - but won’t be able to if his economic policies kill off the recovery. Will increase the NHS budget every year. The NHS Will renegotiate our relationship with the EU so that people can’t come here to claim benefits. Will hold an In/Out EU referendum
Immigration
Is happy with our current relationship with the EU so can’t get control of immigration.
The EU
Will scrap the Human Rights Act and replace it with a British Bill of Rights so decisions are taken in British courts. Will stop MPs from Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland voting on English laws.
Opposes holding an In/Out referendum
Human Rights A fair deal for England
Supports the Human Rights Act.
Is happy for MPs from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to vote on English laws.
Not sure who to vote for?
Promoted by Ian Parker on behalf of Gavin Barwell, both at 36 Brighton Road, Purley, CR8 2LG. Printed by OPT Complete Print Solutions Ltd, Trend House, 58 Coulsdon Road, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 2LA
David Cameron