“My life philosophy focuses on fighting for marginalized communities, anti-austerity measures, and bringing public services into public hands”

Why did you choose the Green Party for your representation? How does the party’s values align with that of yours?

The Green Party vision symbolizes real hope and change, contrasting the traditional “business as usual” policies. I admire Caroline Lucas’s courage, honesty, and dedication, which have led her to serve Brighton Pavilion for 14 years, each time increasing her lead. Over the past five years, as the Tories faced policy failures, the Brexit debacle, PM changes, and a growing cost of living crisis, I was drawn to the Green Party’s vision on several issues.

My values align with their policies, such as bringing privatized water companies back into public ownership to invest in cleaning up rivers and ending the inefficiency of companies like Thames Water. Additionally, I support the Green Party’s stance on taxing the ultra-wealthy to create a fairer society. The party advocates for an equitable and green country with actual plans for a Net Zero future, unlike the Conservatives and Labour, who have abandoned their 2030 targets.

My life philosophy focuses on fighting for marginalized communities, anti-austerity measures, and bringing public services into public hands, including building more social housing and introducing rent control.  The Green Party’s innovative, practical, and community-focused policies give hope for a sustainable and equitable future.

What key issues do you plan to prioritize in your campaign for the upcoming parliamentary election, and how are you reaching out to the constituents to understand their needs and problems? What are some of the issues that have come to light so far?

Majorly, concerns about the cost of higher education are widespread, with many advocating for the end of tuition fees. The Green Party is committed to this and has included it as a fully costed item in their manifesto. Residents also want easier access to doctors’ appointments without the hassle of forms and call-backs. This makes reducing reliance on agency workers and ensuring fair wages for doctors and nurses through proper NHS funding essential.

Voters in Surbiton want to preserve the Seething Wells Filter Beds as a natural resource and stop Thames Water from dumping sewage into the Hogsmill chalk stream. Concerns also extend to Thames Water’s plan to extract water from the Thames and replace it with treated sewage, highlighting the need for fixing leaks to increase water supply. Apart from these, bus users are unhappy about the reduction in the 57 and 213 bus services, housing affordability and the proliferation of empty shops on local high streets and the loss of independent businesses are other concerns. Climate action, improved public services, better social care, quicker access to special educational needs assessments, and safer school buildings are all critical issues that need addressing.

The NHS is one of the prominent aspects of the upcoming elections. How are you going to help your constituencies with their health care needs, if elected?

Meeting healthcare needs is one of the biggest challenges families face today, exacerbated by austerity measures and an ageing population that demands additional healthcare services, straining our NHS resources. The Green Party is committed to fully resourcing the NHS to prevent its collapse, which will require funding that could come from taxing the ultra-wealthy. Additionally, we can utilize community volunteering and champions to support the NHS.

Investing in local NHS trusts and reducing staff outsourcing are essential steps. We need to provide better training and open clinics on weekends to address backlogs. Elderly people often suffer from anxiety and depression due to lack of support, financial constraints, and loneliness. Establishing community centres and supporting communal activities for senior citizens can significantly alleviate these issues.

In our borough, yoga classes, Pilates lessons, and garba dance sessions are hosted by groups like Malaap and Kingston Saheli. We also have a strong Korean Community Centre, reflecting our multicultural community in Kingston and Surbiton. Understanding and embracing each other’s cultures is crucial in addressing health and mental health issues in the borough. I am actively working with the community to promote holistic well-being.

How do you differentiate yourself and your policies from those of the incumbent MP, Ed Davey? What strategies do you have in place to engage and mobilize voters, particularly those who may not traditionally support the Green Party?

Sir Ed Davey, despite being the leader of the Lib Dems, has not been that successful in keeping the promises he made when he was elected in 2019. Kingston has seen unprecedented growth in high rise apartments with a squeeze on social housing. And the Lib Dem Council demolished the Kingfisher Leisure Centre in 2019 with a plan to replace it by Autumn 2024.  But today building work on a new Kingfisher has yet to start leaving residents with only one swimming pool to use.  

I see Ed Davey just playing the conservative fear mongering card in all their leaflets. They are good at publishing testimonies of people without clearly outlining what promises they have fulfilled in the past five years.  And residents have not forgotten Ed Davey’s role in the Post office Scandal from his time in Government.

Given the current narrative of islamophobia and antisemitism, minorities may not feel safe or supported. As part of a minority group, how do you plan to uplift their voices and ensure their concerns are addressed?

We believe in the politics of hope, not fear. The Green Party has consistently called for an immediate bilateral ceasefire in Gaza since the conflict began. We are committed to respecting each other’s culture and social values, which are the essence of a multicultural society. The party stands firmly against all forms of discrimination, including racial and gender-based discrimination. Our vision and priorities are rooted in equality, inclusion, and diversity.

Immigration is often seen as a bane in the UK, but we believe the real issue lies in the underinvestment in public services. By providing universal basic income and investing in the NHS and higher education, immigration will no longer be a contentious political issue. Universal Basic Income can help alleviate fears surrounding immigration and promote a more inclusive society.

(Published in asian-voice.com/News/UK /Anusha Singh Wednesday- 05th June 2024 07:06 EDT)