Name: Barry Edwards
Party: UKIP
Constituency: Twickenham
Name one thing you will proactively change in the constituency if you are elected.
I would alter the methods of consultation with the public so that the views of the public were properly represented rather than the sham consultations that we receive today.
What has been your proudest achievement within the constituency in the last three years?
The most recent has been supporting the local community with opposing situating a warehouse in Orleans Parks Gardens to locate the Gloriana Royal Barge. To have the Gloriana in the borough would have been great but even a beautiful boat like that in the wrong place would have been wrong for the local community.
What sets you apart from your fellow prospective parliamentary candidates?
The other candidates have gone about their campaigns through misinformation and they haven’t been answering questions and have been making claims that are fundamentally untrue, particularly claims about opposing Heathrow expansion when Grant Shapps, co-chairman of the Conservatives, has said let’s get on and build it if the Davies Commission recommends it.
What has been the most difficult conversation you have had while canvassing?
I don’t think it was a difficult conversation but it was the most unusual – when I was wearing my badge I was grabbed by a gentleman from Poland who demanded we close the borders to more Polish people because they were stealing his work. It highlights an issue that Ukip think is hugely important.
Why should people in Twickenham vote for you?
I have fought for the local community for years and whether people like it or not I tell the truth, I keep my promises, I don’t fudge on claims. Because we have had the Lib Dems and Tories for so long there is an absolute need for scrutiny. We have a policy to be truthful and I am the only candidate prepared to be that candid.
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