General Election: Meet the candidates for Harwich and north Essex and what they stand for

The social landscape is as varied as the geographical one and as varied as the candidates fighting for victory.

Peter Banks, Green

Green candidate Peter Banks said caring for the environment and each others was top of the agenda.

He said: “I am saddened to see so much litter in many areas of our constituency particularly by the sides of our roads, including plastic bags, bottles, cans etc.

“There are excellent voluntary campaigns such as Essex Beach Cleans and PROUD of Mersea, which cultivate an understanding in residents that caring for their community and environment improves physical wellbeing and community cohesion.

“However, this issue needs much better support from local authorities and businesses.

“Cultivating a respectful society that cares for our area and wildlife is integral to creating a cleaner, better future for everyone to enjoy and benefit from.”

Sir Bernard Jenkin, Conservative

Conservative Sir Bernard Jenkin said jobs and infrastructure were vital for the future.

He said: “Apart from getting Brexit done, I’m passionate about securing jobs and investment in infrastructure.

“We got the wind energy skills centre into Harwich and the Innogy offshore-wind support operation.

“Harwich must have the A120 upgrade by 2025, and there is now a big team working on a long-term solution to the Manningtree road and rail crossing.

“We are committed to full fibre broadband to every home and business across the UK by 2025.”

Sir Bernard patient safety was another key issue and added: “I led the campaign for the new Healthcare Safety Investigation body which is now set up.”

Tony Francis, Christian Independent candidate

Tony Francis, Christian Independent candidate, said: “I am focused on creating micro community blueprints for the eradication of poverty and disaffection.

“Give a street homeless man a tent and you eradicate his immediate poverty. Give him a homeless pod and you raise his living standard again. Once he has a prefabricate house to build, with assistance, you give him a purpose, a reason for the day and a home which he has full ownership of.

“All of this is achievable in micro environments which will change this nation, one step at a time.

“Rehabilitation of the disenfranchised and dispossessed has to be incorporated in such processes.

“It’s one thing to give a man a fish, it’s another thing to teach him to fish.

“There is an army of volunteer teachers, mentors and tutors waiting to be mobilised and I fully intend to do that very thing.”

Michael Beckett, Liberal Democrats

Lib Dem candidate Michael Beckett said Westminster needs MPs with local knowledge.

He said: “I want to return a greater measure of choice and control to local areas from Westminster.

“Local experts are best placed to know and to help their community.

“Empowering parish and town councils with more autonomy to act in the local area will mean the issues that matter to us, such as project funding, public services, homelessness, poverty and youth services get attention

“Transport, recycling, developments, policing, health and wellbeing support and the arts can be area-specific not one-size-fits-all and politics can touch the ground more compassionately and effectively in our area.”

Stephen Rice, Labour

Stephen Rice, who is contesting the seat for Labour, said: “Division and waste - that is what I am passionate about changing locally and further afield.

“In all areas of life – education, the health service, commerce, industry, the arts, the church, the military.

“Waste goes hand in hand with this conflict – waste of money, resources, potential and worst of all, time. I look for a kinder, more co-operative, outward-looking society and this is what I have set about changing.”

Richard Browning-Smith, Independent

Independent candidate Richard Browning-Smith, said he’s concerned about infrastructure being “stolen by newly built houses”. He said: “Infrastructure of Harwich and North Essex has been hit so hard last year when Tendring Council had no forward plan in operation.”