Eight candidates are standing for election to Parliament to represent the Brighton Pavilion constituency on Thursday 4 July 2024.
The eight candidates are Steve AI (Independent), Siân Berry (Green), Carl Buckfield (SDP), Tom Gray (Labour), Mark Mulvihill (Reform UK), Ashley Ridley (Liberal Democrat), Citizen Skwith (Official Monster Raving Loony) and Sarah Webster (Conservative).
Each candidate answered questions submitted by voters. Here are the answers from the Liberal Democrat candidate Ashley Ridley, 23, a football coach, who tweets @Ashleyridley5 and posts on Instagram as @ashleyridleylibdem.
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Why do you want to be an MP and how are you qualified for the role?
I want to be an MP as I do not come from a privileged background.
I want to change our political system to make politics more accessible to a wider range of people, including introducing voting at 16.
I’d like to see more opportunities for people with learning difficulties like me, as I have dyslexia and struggled in school.
I’ve also been in care so have first-hand understanding of how the care system works and where it needs improvement.
Finally, I’d be a champion for people struggling with mental health issues. My lived experience helps me understand why these people need support.
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If elected, how would you deal with performance and pricing problems in privatised utilities such as the water companies, railways, energy companies and the Royal Mail?
The profit these big companies are making while increasing prices for ordinary people in a “cost of living” crisis is shameful.
Of the many good policies in the Liberal Democrats manifesto, a favourite of mine is a windfall tax on the big energy companies.
The money from taxing their astronomical profits will go back into helping people with the cost of living and energy bills.
We would make regulations tougher so the water companies cannot pay massive bonuses to directors while still pumping sewage in our seas and we would sanction train operators who fail to provide a high-quality service.
I like his Moxie.
I wish him well, but can’t help but think he is in the wrong party. MPs like this are honourable and genuine, but he has a leader more interested in representing himself as a children’s entertainer. Ed Davey is an embarrassment.