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.

This is the last article in the series, published throughout the week to help keep voters informed before they reach the ballot box on Thursday 4 July.

Today, Friday 28 June, we asked Kingston & Surbiton's candidates how they will ensure Kingston's new leisure centre is completed on-time and on-spec, if they would provide temporary measures during construction, and how they will represent the voices of local residents in Parliament.

Ali Abdulla – Workers Party

Kingfisher replacement project

"Project management is what I do for a living. 

"I will ensure the Kingfisher Leisure Centre's timely, on-spec completion through rigorous project management, clear contractor accountability, regular progress reviews, and transparent communication with stakeholders."

Temporary leisure facilities

"We will provide temporary facilities, partner with local gyms and pools for community access, and organise outdoor fitness programmes to ensure continued access to leisure activities during the construction period."

Local representation in Parliament

"We will ensure local residents' voices are heard in Parliament by holding regular town halls, maintaining open communication channels, and actively representing their concerns and interests.

"Live polls and discussions on local issues."

A.Gent Chinners – Monster Raving Loony Party

Kingfisher replacement project

"[I will keep the project on track] by not allowing Kingston Council to have any say or input in the replacement process."

Temporary leisure facilities

"All public playgrounds will be made age-friendly. For example, a giant Scalextric track will be incorporated to allow 'easy rider' users to plug in and race."

Local representation in Parliament

"The current RBK Council has spent an excessive amount of effort building mainly underused, and in some areas dangerously laid out, cycle lanes in return of charging constituents one of the highest Council Taxes in the UK. 

"Many of these should be converted into safer lanes for space-hoppers with those in shopping centres being given over to those with prams & pushchairs."

Debojyoti Das – Greens

Kingfisher replacement project

"I feel this is an utter disgrace and failure of Kingston Council headed by the Liberal Democrats. My childrens like others, are on the waiting list to learn how to swim. 

"We would like to immediately build a leisure centre in Kingston that would replace the existing one so that our childrens can learn how to swim. For this we will build adequate public pressure on Kingston Council and other stakeholders."

Local representation in Parliament

"Organising public consultation, citizens assembly and [...] talking through issues with local residents that I will raise in parliament."

Ed Davey – Liberal Democrats

Kingfisher replacement project

"I share people's frustrations with the delays on Kingston's new leisure centre. 

"As you may know, there are a number of reasons that the plans could not go ahead in their original form, primarily related to factors totally out of the Council's control – or their ability to predict. These include the impact of various Conservative Government decisions – for example, the so-called 'mini budget of Liz Truss' – which contributed both to interest rates rising faster than expected, and to significant uncertainty and turmoil for all significant construction projects.

"Combined with the impact of the war in Ukraine, Brexit and other shocks, we have seen construction and energy prices rocket everywhere – the cost of materials for construction projects rose by 43 per cent in just two years!"

"The good news is RBK have now confirmed that Kingston's new leisure and community centre is going ahead."

"I will continue to closely monitor the progress being made."

Local representation in Parliament

"Through my years in Parliament, I have always tried to be the best advocate possible and listen to the concerns of people in Kingston and Surbiton. I have raised issues facing local people with the numerous Prime Ministers directly, including the personal experience of constituents trying to access dentists, the challenges in social care and sky-high mortgage rates. 

"If re-elected I will continue to champion the struggles our community is going through."

Helen Edward – Conservatives

Kingfisher replacement project

"We will be holding the council to account on their poor management of Kingfisher Leisure Centre."

Temporary leisure facilities

"[We will work] with The Malden Leisure Centre to provide alternative recreational space.

"We welcome Chessington World of Adventures' plans to expand their leisure facilities to include a pool."

Local representation in Parliament

"I talk to residents on the doorstep and use surveys to understand their priorities. I prioritise case work and listening to people's problems [and] I attend local events and community meetings."

"I would hold public meetings on emotive topics such as ULEZ and water quality."

Mark David Fox – Reform

Kingfisher replacement project

"And on budget. The estimated budget for the Kingfisher is currently £44.9 million, almost nine times the £5 million estimate that was given to fix the now demolished Kingfisher centre."

Temporary leisure facilities

"No. We have been without the Kingfisher centre for five years, the focus should be on building it. People have waited long enough."

Local representation in Parliament

"As a Reform MP, my constituency will be of more interest to the nation than the leader of an unimportant party. 

"Also, the voters of Kingston and Surbiton have the luxury of being able to vote for what they want, instead of voting based on what they don't want."

Eunice O'Dame – Labour

Kingfisher replacement project

"Labour in Kingston have played a leading role in scrutinising the Lib Dem council's total mismanagement of the Kingfisher site. 

"This has included challenging the hasty condemning of the old building and the unrealistic plans proposed by the council in 2022 as an eye-catching PR exercise which they dropped after the local elections."

Temporary leisure facilities

"Throughout, Labour have proposed credible alternatives such as affordable temporary fixes and an 'Athelstan centre' combined culture and leisure offer which could draw on new funding streams and raise revenue for the borough."

Local representation in Parliament

"I will be a strong advocate for those in Kingston, listening to residents' concerns, bringing the issues people are facing to parliament and supporting them with the issues they are facing."

Yvonne Tracey – Independent

Kingfisher replacement project

"The Kingfisher Leisure Centre is a scandal of Sir Edward Davey's Lib Dems hubris and incompetence. The roof could have been fixed five years ago for less than £5 million. They didn't ask the right questions, they believed officials and allowed it to be demolished without plans for a replacement. 

"There is a real risk it – like Richmond Ice Rink – will never be replaced."

Temporary leisure facilities

"The Malden Centre – the Borough's last swimming pool – is of a similar age, and we all now have to make sure the council maintains it properly so it doesn't face the same fate as the Kingfisher."

Local representation in Parliament

"Hundreds of Sub postmasters and mistresses, lost their livelihoods, homes and sadly some their lives because politicians like Sir Edward Davey didn't take action. Tolworth's sub-postmaster Sathyan Shiju, lost his home, his business and considered suicide. I was so cross. 

"If I was MP, and someone asks for help, I would help regardless. 

"I'm going to stand up for what's right and if you did vote me in, at least you know you'd get somebody who would try and help. I would be an MP for everyone – not just the powerful."

Polling stations across the borough will be open from 7am to 10pm on 4 July. (Photo: Oliver Monk)

Polling day for the 2024 General Election is Thursday 4 July. 

Those who have registered to vote and have not sent a postal vote, will be to attend one of the polling stations in their constituency in-person, between 7am and 10pm.

A full list of Kingston and Surbiton polling stations is available on the Kingston Council website here.

Voters are required to bring a valid photo ID, such as:

• a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence
• a UK passport
• a Blue Badge
• a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
• a Voter Authority Certificate

A full list of valid IDs is available on the UK Government website here.

The photo ID must be the original version – photographs and photocopies will not be accepted.

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