There are five candidates standing in the general election for the Tonbridge and Malling constituency.

Robert Izzard (Ukip)

A retired IT sales manager, Mr Izzard, 67, lives in Crowborough.

Key policies: Better flood defences and town regeneration in Tonbridge, Getting a secondary school in Edenbridge and reducing traffic congestion in Malling. Leaving the EU.

In his words: “Massive house-building projects and uncontrolled mass EU immigration have over-strained and adversely impacted on our local resources, infrastructure and social services.”

Claire Leigh (Lab)

Born in Bidborough, Miss Leigh, 32, lived in Tonbridge until February, when her work took her to London. Until recently she was chairman of the Tonbridge and Malling branch of the Labour Party. She works for the Oversea Development Institute. She was educated at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Girls and has a degree in history from Cambridge and a second degree in international relations from Oxford University. She previously stood for the party in last year’s Kent County Council elections, where she polled 1,104 votes in the Tunbridge Wells East Division, behind the Tories and UKIP.

Key policies: Ensuring Britain stays in the EU. Tackling poverty at home and abroad. Promoting the role of women in public life.

In her words: “I was inspired to stand as a candidate after seeing the damage that Coalition policies are doing to families in the South East and across the country.”

Howard Porter (Green)

Married with two children, he lives in Trottiscliffe. A former teacher he has run his own graphic design business for the past 20 years.

Key policies: Building on brownfield land not green; setting a 20mph speed limit in residential roads, an end to the austerity programme.

In his words: “We need practical solutions, not the ideological approach taken by the old parties.”

Tom Tugendhat (Con)

A former journalist, management consultant and energy analyst, he joined the Army Reserve and served on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Key policies: Economic security, choice and welfare reform.

In his words: “Our policies will give families around the country the chance to take control of their own lives and take the decisions that are best for them.”

Mary Varrall (Lib Dem)

Mrs Varrall has lived in Etchingham, East Sussex, for 30 years, where she has been a parish councillor for 20. She has a BSc in landscape management from Hadlow College and runs her own garden consultancy. She fought the Battle and Bexhill constituency in 2010, polling 15,267 votes.

Key policies: Investing in a high-skill, low-carbon economy; raising the Personal Allowance by £400 to £12,500; investing £8bn in the NHS.

In her words: “The election should be about more than soundbites and headlines.”