1. Do you support plans to build 12,000 homes across Tendring?

Yes, If elected, I would seek to ensure that they are publicly owned and added to our existing council housing stock, whilst also protecting our historic towns from urban sprawl. We must make sure these houses actually act as homes and do not become assets that simply force up the cost of homes in Tendring.

2. What can be done to tackle the rise in crime and protect our local police?

I’d take politics out of policing by abolishing the police and crime commissioners. We need to trust our local police know what they are doing. We should focus on tackling repeat offenders, offering the skills they need to leave a life of crime. Greens would also decriminalise all drugs, with an aim of legalising cannabis. The victim in drug addiction is often the one punished.

3. How would you help to bring wind farm opportunities to Harwich?

Greens would form a publicly owned energy company, which would only use renewable “green” energy. Harwich has amazing potential for offshore wind farming, so it would be one of the many places to benefit from massive building plans a Green government would undertake. This programme would be funded in part by a crackdown on tax abuse and an introduction of a wealth tax.

4. How does your party plan to cut unemployment in the constituency?

Greens are about building up local economies – getting more money into local economies and supporting local businesses. We’d make the minimum wage a living wage of £7.85 and help businesses cope by cutting the small profits corporation tax, while raising the main rate back up to 30 per cent. We’re committed to home insulation, renewable energy production and dealing with climate change and coastal erosion.

5. What can be done to tackle the high levels of deprivation in parts of Harwich and the surrounding area?

Too many are spending their day commuting to London for work and spending their money in London. Improving our local economies and devolving more powers to our local communities, these commuters can do the jobs they’re doing in London, here, spending their money here, creating new jobs and opportunities here. Greens would also offer paid training courses so people can be proactive in their communities.

6. What do you suggest to alleviate hazardous parking in the villages around Manningtree Railway Station and congestion at the underpass?

The best way to tackle this is to remove the cause: cars. Greens would devolve more power to local communities, giving local councils powers to regulate the buses – increasing the number of buses, with tickets at a decent price, offering an alternative to driving and forking out for parking. An integrated transport system would mean you would choose to get rid of your car.

7. What can be done to boost tourism in the constituency?

 Improve infrastructure. By bringing the rail industry into public ownership, we can make it easier, faster and cheaper for people to come here, it would have the added benefit of increasing the connectivity of the region. We also need to promote cottage industries like microbreweries, and farmers’ markets as a way to promote what Essex has to offer.

8. What are your favourite book, film and song?

Book: I love The Hobbit, but the films were awful. Film: Mrs Doubtfire, I think Robin Williams is fantastic, like him. “I do voices”.

Song: I don’t really listen to music. I love parody/ satire/ spoof songs so most stuff Weird Al makes. There is a brilliant parody “Blame it on the economy”

9. Would your choice of tipple be a glass of champagne or a pint of beer?

Neither. I’d go for a pint of cider. Being from Bristol, I do like a good scrumpy.

10. What’s your favourite tourist destination in the constituency?

Unfortunately, I’ve only been in this part of the world for a few months, so I’d love to hear from your readers on where I should visit.