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 Reform UK Mark Mulvihill, 43, an advanced paramedic practitioner who also runs an event medical business.
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Why do you want to be an MP and how are you qualified for the role?
I have always had an interest in politics and want to truly make a difference to people’s lives.
Life experiences count for a lot in the role as an MP and having worked in many industries since the age of 16 my life has certainly been interesting to say the least.
But importantly it’s vital to listen to your constituents, accept that there will be differences of opinions and have the voice to raise the issues that matter.
But most importantly don’t make promises that cannot be kept, be honest and, importantly, do as you say you’re going to do.
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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?
Water should be brought back under government control. Water companies have got away with providing an unacceptable service while profiting and yet the public are having to deal with sewage in our streets, rivers and seas.
Household utilities such as electricity should be VAT-free to help reduce people’s outgoings and fuel duty reduced by 20p to help the hard-working reduce the cost of their commute.
I have recently requested a meeting with Network Rail to get a better and broader understanding of their work, how they plan to make the railways greener and more cost-efficient for the user.
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What would you do to help people who are struggling to rent or buy a home? Should second homes or Airbnb-style holiday lets be banned?
Some of the first things I will do is work with the local authority to ensure we have an updated brownfield site list as well as properties that are empty or in disrepair to ensure that this is used for housing stock as well as affordable housing while protecting our valuable green spaces and farmers’ fields.
There also needs to be more support for those facing housing difficulties and I would like to see a system set up to help those get out of debt. This ensures in the long term people will be able to be more financially secure.
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What steps would you take to improve hospital performance, community care and access to GPs for patients in Brighton and Hove?
This is a big issue for me and one that I intend to work to fix. Working in the NHS I see what works and what doesn’t. I see the wastage on a daily basis and it really is shocking. Dealing with this would be a major step.
If elected and in line with party policy, I will work to reduce NHS waiting times. While this will include the use of the private sector, the NHS will always be free at the point of use.
Frontline NHS staff and social care staff to be exempt from basic rate of tax for three years.
Mental health is also an essential area that needs change and reform and must be addressed urgently.
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Events in Israel and Gaza have affected many members of the community here. What can people in your constituency expect you to say and do as an MP?
An immediate ceasefire needs to be addressed as the loss of human life is never acceptable. However, for a solution this needs to be addressed cross-party and an agreement agreed.
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Do you support the Royal Mail plans for Patcham Court Farm despite the threat posed to the aquifer there that provides much of the drinking water for Brighton and Hove?
No, I do not support these plans and if elected will become fully involved to try to ensure this does not proceed.
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Polling stations are due to be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 4 July. Photo ID is required for those voting in person.
This is the candidate who can’t even spell his own name on his election flyers 🤦♂️
That’s exactly what I was going to say! Also no mention here of the fact he was another shoe-in for boosting the Reform vote nationwide and lives on the east coast of Kent.
All common sense answers and he’s already trying to meet with Network Rail. Good luck Mark!
“Frontline NHS staff and social care staff to be exempt from basic rate of tax for three years.”
Which would actually reduce the governments income so less to spend on public services like the NHS!
He uses the word “reform” a lot but never seems to say what those reforms would actually be.
The former is easy but the latter is the hard part – and it’s what people want to know.
Reform by virtue of being a backrunner in this election, have the bonus of being able to say whatever they like to be popularist without really needing to consider the follow through.
What’s surprising this time around is how much momentum they are taking from conservative as the premier right wing party, especially those who have been disillusioned by the current government’s objective failures.
Even a basic understanding of language would have, demonstrably, answered your question and countered your assertions.
“He uses the word “reform” a lot but never seems to say what those reforms would actually be”
Your very first sentence and your opening quotation gave you an example of something you say is absent.
“Frontline NHS staff and social care staff to be exempt from basic rate of tax for three years” . THAT would be a reform of targeted taxation policy / approach AND a reform of, real world, tangible, direct benefit to NHS employees. Neither of those stated aspirations’ currently exist. Both, if implemented, would need “reform” of several statutes and objectively observable reform of the NHS ecosphere and provide a much larger life improvement boost/ benefit than any pay deal has ever delivered.
The whys & where’s, it’s cost, and viability are certainly a discussion that should be had another day but by your own quotations alone you have been shown, some of, the ‘reforms’ you complain aren’t being talked about or shown to the voter.
Vote reform uk
Nigel Farage makes more sense than all the other candidates put together. Immigration should be the most important issue of this election, and Starmer is just ignoring this fact, while Sunak talk nonsense. Good luck to Mark.
I respectfully disagree. Migration is not a problem. Processing speed certainly is however, which is where most costs originate from.
Unfortunately, the topic is generally motivated by gullible emotive language that seeks to be inflammatory than logical and reasoned debate.
Vote reform if you love your country and have had enough of it’s decline
Ran companies with grammatical errors in their name, misspelled his own name and gives answers on a national scale when the questions are about local politics. Shame. There’s just nobody to vote for this election.