With polling day for the 2024 General Election looming ever closer, Nub News is asking local candidates where they stand on key issues in Kingston & Surbiton.

These articles will be published throughout the week to help keep voters informed before they reach the ballot box on Thursday 4 July in a week's time.

Today, Thursday 27 June, we asked our candidates about their plans for education in the borough, as well as what changes they would make to social care provisions if elected.

Ali Abdulla – Workers Party

Education

"[We would] offer free first tertiary degrees for all, invest in vocational programmes to match modern industry needs and Increase support and pay for teachers."

Social care

"We would establish a comprehensive community support network, offering regular home visits, healthcare services, and social activities to ensure the well-being of the elderly and vulnerable."

A.Gent Chinners – Monster Raving Loony Party

Education

"I pledge to reduce class sizes by making the pupils sit closer to each other and issuing them with smaller desks."

Social care

"I will introduce a 99p coin to save having to receive a single bit of change."

Helen Edward – Conservatives

Education

"About 1 in 5 pupils in Kingston choose independent schools like our brilliant Surbiton High and Kingston Grammar. Fighting against Labour's VAT on independent schools policy which will hurt children and hard working families who sacrifice everything, is key."

"Under Conservatives apprenticeships have doubled and in our manifesto we are pledging to fund 100,000 more apprenticeships including 70% of careers [...] which takes them directly into employment with the right skills without taking out a student debt."

Social care

"I would continue to pressurise the council on their shocking record on standards for social housing security, maintenance and fire safety. 

"I support the government's plans to cancel the ULEZ extension to allow carers low-cost travel."

Mark David Fox – Reform

Education

"No VAT on Fees. Scrap Interest on Student Loans. Universities to offer Accelerated 2-Year Undergraduate Courses. 

"Ban transgender ideology and smart phones in primary and secondary schools."

Social care

"Lift the Income Tax Start Point to £20,000 per year. Lower fuel duty by 20p per litre and scrap VAT on energy bills."

Yvonne Tracey – Independent

Education

"I raised two daughters and have five grandchildren and one – David – is disabled from birth with a rare delayed development condition. 

"Education must be life long and free so young people can always develop to the best of their abilities. Higher education tuition fees have saddled a generation with unsustainable debt and fees need to go."

Social care

"I was elected as a Kingston councillor in 2022 and promised I would give my first year's allowance to charity. 

"I've used this to support a variety of local organisations supporting vulnerable residents. But it can never be enough. 

"We need a change of government and MP who will vote for more money to support those who need it most."

Sir Ed Davey – Liberal Democrats

Education

"Kingston University has done amazing work in pioneering a programme that will provide undergraduates with the future skills employers need.

"I have been excited to see the programme rolled out across all courses at the University, making sure young people are provided with the skills employers are looking for including communication, problem solving and creative thinking skills. 

"I visit schools all around our constituency, and speak with head teachers regularly - so I know how schools are struggling right now with the lack of investment. Liberal Democrats would invest in education, starting in the crucial early years and continuing throughout adulthood.

"Importantly, we would put a dedicated, qualified mental health professional in every primary and secondary school, making sure all children and parents have someone they can turn to for help, funded by increasing the tax paid by social media firms and other tech giants."

Social care

"I've been a carer nearly all my life - first for my mum, then my Nanna in her frail years, and now my son, John.

"So I understand many of the challenges family carers face. So many people are going without the care they need, or are struggling to look after a loved one without proper support.

"We cannot fix the crisis facing the NHS without fixing the crisis facing social care. We have taken important steps locally - winning, for instance, the campaign for a new family carer support service at Kingston Hospital to help free up hospital beds.

"But we must go further. Liberal Democrats would introduce free personal care, to help people live independently and with dignity, along with a higher minimum wage for care workers and more support for family carers."

Our final Quick Qs for Candidates article will be published tomorrow, Friday 28 June, and will cover the all-important Kingfisher project, along with local representation in national government.

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