Five questions for Christchurch candidates

They were all given the same amount of time to come back to us with their answers, and while most did respond, some didn't.

The final question - What are your top three policies other than Brexit? - was put forward by one of our lovely readers.

Below you can read what the candidates for Christchurch had to say.

• CONSERVATIVES - Sir Chris Chope

Where do you stand on Brexit – Leave or Remain? And why?

"Leave. I campaigned and voted to leave the EU as did 60 per cent of Christchurch constituents. The UK must leave on January 31 2020 so that our future trading relationship with the EU can be negotiated to ensure that we are completely out by the end of 2020. Getting Brexit done is essential to taking back control of our destiny and honouring the referendum result."

Your policy on climate change?

"Locally I believe that resources should be concentrated on adapting to meet the consequences of climate change. Christchurch already benefits from past investment in better flood and sea defences but more needs to be done."

How will you be helping the NHS if you are elected?

"The growing needs of the NHS can only be met with a strong economy which a Conservative government will deliver. If re-elected I shall campaign for more hospital beds to serve our local population and for greater investment in local GP practices."

What is your policy on housing? 

"It is essential that the 12,000 houses in the conurbation for which planning permission has already been granted are built. This will help both renters and purchasers while avoiding the need for further erosion of our precious Green Belt."

What are your top three policies other than Brexit?

"Reduce the burden of taxes, keep the UK safe with effective policing and strong defence and to clean up and save our environment for future generations."

• GREEN PARTY - Chris Rigby

Where do you stand on Brexit – Leave or Remain? And why?

"I believe we need a second People's Vote with three options; leave the EU with a deal (of which details would be published), leave the EU without a deal, or remain in the EU. Personally I would campaign to remain and reform the EU from within."

Your policy on climate change?

"We have to ensure we lead the fight against climate change and this would be funded to the tune of £100bn a year as we head for net zero carbon in 2030, kick-starting a new green economy and investing in millions of new climate jobs. Britain was once a powerhouse of industrial revolution and we can now become world leaders in a green industrial revolution."

How will you be helping the NHS if you are elected?

"Universal public healthcare delivered free at the point of use would be widened to treat mental health the same as physical health. The plan to restore it would be by increasing the funding by at least £6bn a year, as well as investing in nursing higher education."

What is your policy on housing?

"The housing crisis can be solved by creating enough affordable homes including 100,000 new council houses each year. The planning system needs change to encourage renovation, extension and improvement of existing buildings rather than relying on new builds."

What are your top three policies other than Brexit?

"Apart from climate change, the most important issues are stopping austerity and changing our antiquated first past the post voting system to proportional representation. Every person in the UK deserves to have someone in parliament who represents their views and who can truly debate all issues on their behalf."

• LABOUR - Andrew Dunne

Where do you stand on Brexit – Leave or Remain? And why?

"Brexit is not about me, it is about everyone and bringing this country and our society back together. Labour will negotiate the best possible Brexit deal protecting workers rights, environmental rights, consumer and human rights and then put that back to the people to decide within six months against the option to remain."

Your policy on climate change?

"I am extremely concerned about what the impending climate catastrophe will do to our coast line and flood plains here in particular. Labour will bring about a green industrial revolution and transform our local area and our country to lead the fight against climate catastrophe."

How will you be helping the NHS if you are elected?

"People I talk to in Christchurch are rightly concerned with GP and hospital waiting times. Labour are the party of the NHS and we will put £26bn into our wonderful service. And we'll continue our fight against the closure of the A&E dept in Poole."

What is your policy on housing?

"In Christchurch private rents are high and house prices are 12 times the average wage. We will commit to building 150,000 genuinely affordable homes per year, 50,000 of those will be council houses and we will introduce rent caps and better tenant rights, and tackle the problem we have here of second home ownership."

What are your top three policies other than Brexit?

"The environment, education and young people, and housing."

• LIB DEMS - Mike Cox

Where do you stand on Brexit – Leave or Remain? And why?

"I am a Remainer. When the referendum happened I was critical of the way the European Commission works. However it soon became clear to me that remaining in the EU was a “no brainer” for a host of economic, environmental and security factors."

Your policy on climate change?

"We need bold political action and have pledged £100bn over five years to make that environmental change. We want to increase renewable electricity generation to 80 per cent by 2030 and achieve legally binding net zero emissions by 2045."

How will you be helping the NHS if you are elected?

"If elected I will vote for more funding for the NHS. £35bn will come from stopping Brexit (a fair assessment by independent experts) and another £7bn a year by putting 1p on income tax."

What is your policy on housing?

"Liberal Democrats will build 100,000 homes for social rent each year and ensure total house building increases by 300,000 year on year. The Green Belt is a lung which we build on at our peril. Just as important will be a 10 year programme to reduce emissions from all buildings ending fuel poverty and cutting energy bills."

What are your top three policies other than Brexit?

"Tackle our climate emergency by taking real action to cut net emissions to zero by 2045, invest in £35bn in our NHS and raise an additional £7bn a year to help transform our mental health service and invest in education by recruiting and additional 20,000 teachers and providing every adult with a £10,000 education wallet to spend on further education."