Election focus: the West Worcestershire parliamentary contest

At first glance one might think this Conservative stronghold is pretty straightforward, yet Tory Harriett Baldwin is being pushed all the way, and for good reason.

Between 1974 and 2010 veteran Conservative Sir Michael Spicer held this seat, but towards the latter end of his career he had become increasingly vulnerable to the Liberal Democrats, which has steadily grown its support base across Malvern and Pershore.

By the time 2005 came around, his once-comfortable seat had been reduced to a majority of just 2,475, which is actually smaller than the 2,982 held by Worcester Tory Robin Walker in the so-called 'bellwether' city constituency next door.

It wasn't that long ago that the Lib Dems were targeting this as one it could snatch, a situation which has now eased given its dire polling ratings since 2010.

Mrs Baldwin, elected on a majority of 6,754 five years ago, will be expecting to build on that, with every prospect of furthering her position in any new Government, where she helps run the Whips' office, if successful.

In the previous three General Election contests here the Lib Dems have amassed 15,000, 18,000 and then 20,000 votes, suggesting it does have a strong foundation in West Worcestershire despite the current national backdrop.

The picture is also being complicated this year by the Green Party, which has pulled a rabbit out the hat in standing Councillor Julian Roskams.

Councillor Roskams is the current Mayor of Malvern, one of the town's most recognisable faces, giving him a significant advantage over the other small parties.

The Lib Dem candidate is teacher Dennis Wharton, who has taken advantage of a good campaign budget here to bombard the constituency with promotional material.

One of them has been sent to households declaring 'Labour can't win here', in a bid to convince voters they face a straight Con-Lib Dem choice for their MP.

In 2010 Labour came third here with just 3,661 votes, compared to more than 27,000 for the Conservatives, but the party has been very active in recent weeks and in Daniel Walton has selected one of its bright young talents to take on the big guns.

That leaves one of the great unknowns, UKIP, which got just 2,119 votes last time in an era when the party was virtually unrecognisable compared to today.

This time around Richard Chamings, a well-known Malvern vet, is widely expected to do far better, which could yet squeeze the Tory vote.

HARRIETT BALDWIN (CON)

I’m standing for re-election as a Conservative in West Worcestershire as I want to continue securing the future of our area as it recovers from the recession and deficit incurred by the previous government.

Since 2010, I've backed local businesses and people with tax cuts and less regulation. The economy has turned around and a record number of local people are in employment.

The deficit has been halved but we've been able to build a new Malvern hospital, new school buildings, a new oncology centre, six new flood defences schemes, better transport infrastructure and investment in superfast broadband across the county.

If re-elected I will continue to fight for fairer funding for local schools, lobby to deliver faster, more frequent train services, further road improvements including the vital doubling of the Carrington Road bridge, more flood defences, better pensions and more money for the NHS.

In the next parliament a Conservative majority government will continue to cut taxes for working people and cap welfare. I will continue to back local businesses with a long-term economic plan to deliver growth, more new jobs and opportunities for the people of West Worcestershire.

DANIEL WALTON (LAB)

I live in Martley with my wife Lisa. We have three school age children who attend a local school.

I run a successful business designing and making camping and outdoor equipment which I sell both nationally and internationally.

I employ local people within my company and I understand the pressures that you have to deal with in the business world.

We have had five years of Tory failure, with fewer local jobs, lower wages, a cost-of-living crisis, and a rising National Debt almost double what it was five years ago. I want our hard working families to thrive in West Worcestershire.

I want better opportunities for our children, for our young people starting out in life, for the large number of older people in our region.

I see in West Worcestershire years of political neglect from Tory MPs who have misrepresented the people of this constituency and taken them for granted.

This election will decide whether we have a Labour government working for everyone, providing equal opportunity for all, or a Tory government looking after the wealthy and supporting class division.

Vote for me and end Tory indifference to West Worcestershire.

RICHARD CHAMINGS (UKIP)

I have had the privilege of working as a Malvern veterinary surgeon for 30 years. I joined UKIP, back in 1994, as I was concerned about our membership of the European Union.

This country joined a common market, but the real plan of our political elite was to form a United States of Europe. We were deceived!

Successive governments have handed over more and more decision making to Brussels, without letting us have a say.

Additionally it costs us about £11 billion a year to be a member of this expensive club, from which we get little benefit.

This money would be far better spent on the NHS and providing proper care for our elderly. I am convinced that our future is outside the EU, governing ourselves, regaining control of our fishing and farming and our borders and developing trading relationships worldwide.

I have also been alarmed by the Conservative government’s determination to build on our beautiful countryside, regardless of whether it is green belt or an area of outstanding national beauty.

I believe that planning decisions should be made locally.

In my view Westminster politicians do not, in general, live in the real world, and are out of touch with the views of local people.

JULIAN ROSKAMS (GREEN)

Many people feel cut adrift, disaffected and abandoned by the established political parties, which fail to offer us a positive or distinct vision.

It’s the same “business as usual” hymn sheet – policies that favour big business, the wealthiest individuals, ignoring the rising levels of inequality and financial anxiety their policies inflict.

I joined the Greens because they act with integrity, treat ordinary people with compassion not indifference, and are courageous in tackling social inequality and injustice.

Politics means listening to what people want – then helping them achieve it. We are guided by the principles of fairness, inclusivity, honesty, integrity and, most importantly, community – local people taking the decisions to build the future they want.

As part of the group that saved Malvern’s youth centre, trustee of Community Action, town/district councillor, Mayor of Malvern, active in many local groups and causes I’ve a track record of getting involved in the community to help residents achieve their goals.

My family has relied on local schools, NHS, and other public services – I understand the issues facing local families.

I know first hand the challenges of running a small business. Energetic and hard-working, I’ll bring new ideas and a fresh approach to serving you.

DENNIS WHARTON (LD)

I come from a humble background, starting working life as an apprentice electrician, then a manager in retail, a care worker, IT training manager, primary school teacher for 19 years, with four years as a head-teacher.

I am now self-employed, teach part time, active in community work and campaign on local and national issues.

These experiences have developed my ability to represent people from all backgrounds and party divides.

Since the 2010 election, I feel the key issues that really matter in this constituency have not been resolved and would like to change that.

The carbon footprint/air pollution has increased, schools in the constituency remain one of the poorest underfunded in the country, still no development plan in place putting green spaces and farmland under threat of development, loss of key local services and lack of affordable housing.

I am proud to stand as Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for the constituency of West Worcestershire.

With my experience in business, education, healthcare and in politics, I believe I have what it takes to offer a strong and effective voice both locally and in government.

For a stronger economy and a fairer society, please support me with your vote on May 7th.