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Now that election campaigns have officially kicked off, parties have chosen the candidates who will stand for each constituency.
Here is who you can vote for in Tonbridge and Malling on December 12.
APRIL CLARK (GREEN)
April has lived in Tonbridge since 2008. She is an HR Director, and the former Vice Chair of a national disability charity. In 2015 she co-founded the South Tonbridge WI and she volunteers to support refugees as well as others in her local community.
After campaigning locally on important issues such as air quality, housing and planning April was elected to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council this year – and she’s been working hard to hold the Council to account since.
Westminster politicians have failed us all on Brexit, so we need a Peoples’ Vote to give power back to the people. We also need investment in local communities to tackle the climate crisis and transform a Britain that works for everyone. The more people vote Green, the louder the voice for a different kind of politics.
DYLAN JONES (LAB)
I was born and bred in Kent. I work for the Royal Mail as their distribution manager in Canterbury and am also the distribution safety lead for Kent.
I worked my way up from postman to management after graduating with a Master's degree from Aberystwyth University in 2012. I’ve also previously worked as a fundraiser for Kentish charity Find a Voice, helping people with communication and learning disabilities. Recently I’ve effectively campaigned against plans to build 250 flats on flood plains with little infrastructure, there are similar plans in Tonbridge.
My top three priorities for the constituency are:
1. Oppose Tonbridge’s local plan - We need more houses, but not without proper infrastructure such as schools, doctor’s surgeries and roads.
2. Rescue the NHS – New residents in Tonbridge struggle to even register with a GP.
3. Local Flood Defences – Labour will invest £5.6 billion into improving flood defences across Britain.
RICHARD MORRIS (LIB DEMS)
I and my family have lived in the constituency for over 30 years. As a lawyer, banker, publisher and Chairman/CEO of educational charities, I bring an unusually wide range of skills to the task of representing constituents. I am very much a man of Kent, having served as a trustee of Kent Opera and Kent Music, and on the board of Invicta Radio. Protection of the environment both locally and globally will be a very high priority.
I strongly believe that the best future for the UK is as a member of the EU. This will pave the way for a stronger economy and improved public services across the board. So I currently serve on the boards of both Tonbridge in Europe and The European Movement. Now that we know the real terms and implications of Brexit, voters should be given the opportunity to choose between this and the remain option.
TOM TUGENDHAT (CON)
I’ve been MP for Tonbridge, Edenbridge and Malling since 2015, I am standing for re-election to continue the work I’ve been doing for our community. From completing new Medical Centres in Tonbridge and Edenbridge and keeping GPs in West Malling, to saving Hadlow and West Kent College or securing more money for our schools, my commitment is to our towns and villages.
There is still much more to do. We need to improve infrastructure — better buses, especially school services, more reliable trains, and reduced congestion on local roads. We also need better broadband and a workable mobile phone signal, especially in our rural communities.
To see who was elected in Tonbridge and Malling in 2017, click here.
For all other General Election news, click here.
