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General Election 2024 Q&A: Cambridge candidates answer five key questions




In the latest in our Q&As with those hoping to secure your support at the July 4 General Election, we ask those standing in Cambridge for their views on subjects from climate to housing.

Daniel Zeichner – Labour

Daniel Zeichner
Daniel Zeichner

Why should voters choose you?

For the past nine years, I've been a passionate local champion for Cambridge, doing all I can from opposition. But I know how much more Labour can achieve in Government, whether it be tackling the climate emergency, record NHS waiting lists or the cost-of-living crisis. I want to effect that change, particularly by standing up for the climate as an environment minister, a role I have shadowed for the past four years. You can only do so much from opposition – every single Labour MP elected on Thursday, 4 July will count if we are to bring about a new government that can deliver the change we need.

Michael Gove proposed 150,000 new homes in the Cambridge area by 2050. What do you think of the plans?

With Michael Gove standing down, his plans will be going with him. Whilst I welcomed the interest in Cambridge, I found his approach unsympathetic and overbearing, pronouncing as he did on the future of our city without consulting local councillors, business and trade union leaders, local MPs and other leading voices. Any discussion around the future of Cambridge must be evidence-based, locally-led, and address the most pressing issues, such as the existing environmental challenges, weak infrastructure and the improvements to transport needed to allow our city to thrive.

What transport improvements do you support and oppose here?

I've always championed public transport, advocating for increased investment in buses and trains, and safer and better cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. That's why I support Labour’s plans for green growth and empowering our Combined Authority mayor, Nik Johnson, to create a unified, passenger-focussed transport network. This approach is crucial for tackling congestion as well as reducing emissions. Furthermore, Labour’s Great British Railways plan promises better train journeys and better value for taxpayers, while also considering projects like East West Rail, which could help alleviate local infrastructure issues.

How will you support our children and young people?

I visit a Cambridge school almost every week to hear from staff and take questions from pupils, so I see the pressure our schools are under, particularly around special needs provision and poor-quality buildings. Therefore, I welcome Labour’s proposal to introduce free breakfast clubs in every primary school to ensure no child goes hungry and help them focus on learning. A Labour government will also open 3,000 new nurseries, recruit 6,500 new teachers, ensure access to creative and vocational subjects until 16, protect PE time, and invest in local sports clubs. Mental health is crucial, so Labour will place specialists in every school and create Young Futures Hubs. Finally, we will develop a strategy to tackle child poverty.

How should we meet the challenge of the cost of living and climate crises?

Tackling the cost-of-living and climate crises must be done together through green growth. A Labour government will set up a publicly owned energy company, Great British Energy, to generate clean, affordable power, aiming for a zero-carbon electricity system by 2030. Boosting investment in home energy efficiency will further reduce household bills. By collaborating with the private sector to fully harness Britain’s wind, solar, and marine energy, Labour's Green Prosperity Plan aims to create 650,000 high-skilled green jobs and establish our country as a global leader in clean energy.

Cheney Payne – Liberal Democrats

Cheney Payne, Liberal Democrat
Cheney Payne, Liberal Democrat

Why should voters choose you?

As a city councillor in Cambridge, I spend a lot of time listening to people who are desperate for a change from the Conservative government, but not satisfied with the deal Labour gives them. They feel the heritage of our beautiful city is being eroded in favour of council vanity projects. Under Keir Starmer’s leadership the Labour party have rejected any possibility of rejoining the European Union, and electoral reform: two decisions which drastically weaken our possibilities as a nation and a democracy. I think we need a fresh voice in Cambridge to offer us something different.

Michael Gove proposed 150,000 new homes in the Cambridge area by 2050. What do you think of the plans?

We urgently need new housing in Cambridge, but our Local Plan already plans for 50,000 new homes. We already need help to meet these targets, notably how we ensure the water supply needed and manage transport and infrastructure constraints. The development corporation organisation proposed to build these houses will add yet another body to make decisions for us, which I suspect will build very few houses, and certainly no schools, GPs or infrastructure. The government should help us first meet Cambridge’s ambitious housing targets, so we can do more in the future in a way that will succeed.

How should we meet the challenge of the cost of living and climate crises?

Addressing the intertwined challenges of the cost-of-living and climate crises requires us to reduce fossil fuel dependency and promote renewable energy. Implementing urgent home energy upgrades, like free insulation and heat pumps for low-income households, can lower energy bills. Investing in renewable energy can decrease electricity costs and enhance energy security. A robust windfall tax on oil and gas super-profits can fund energy cost relief for vulnerable households. Establishing a Net Zero Delivery Authority and reforming energy markets to decouple electricity prices from gas prices are essential for a sustainable, equitable future. Immediate, decisive action is imperative to secure economic stability and environmental sustainability.

What transport improvements do you support and oppose here?

To ensure mobility for all as our city’s population grows, we need more use of public transport, cycling and walking. Only these can provide the extra capacity residents, businesses and services demand. The focus must be on making these options the safest and most efficient so they are the mainstream choice. Getting to that point remains a challenge. Local regulation of the bus services and a major review of how they can become more reliable are both important for them to meet more people’s needs. I will also champion funding for infrastructure investment to make active travel more attractive – including filling potholes and ensuring well-lit foot and cycle paths.

How will you support our children and young people?

As a teacher, supporting our young people to flourish and live the lives they wish is one of the main reasons I am standing to be the next MP. The Liberal Democrats will ensure all children in poverty receive free school meals, with plans to extend this to all primary students. We would double parental pay and leave, enhancing child mental health services paid for by taxing social media companies. We will also provide affordable, flexible childcare, support kinship care, and address family court backlogs to ensure timely justice for families.

Sarah Nicmanis – Green

Sarah Nicmanis, Green
Sarah Nicmanis, Green

Why should voters choose you?

In my 22 years as a Cambridge resident, I have observed the rising inequality of opportunity in our city while working as a teacher here and in social housing.

Coming from a working class background, I know first-hand what it is like to struggle financially. Cambridge has shocking inequality and I have a track record of listening to residents’ concerns about inappropriate housing development, our broken local transport system and the cost of living. The obsession with growth has also left us with threatened water supplies and a stripped back green belt. I will fight for a greener, fairer Cambridge.

Michael Gove proposed 150,000 new homes in the Cambridge area by 2050. What do you think of the plans?

Greens robustly challenge this astonishing government strategy and support local government bodies in scrutinising it and pointing out the lack of consideration given to water supply, transport strategy and wastewater treatment. 30,000 houses were built in Cambridgeshire between 2011-2021 and we have not seen the average house price come down at all; housing costs have spiralled upwards.

The assumption that more houses means cheaper houses is wrong and, quite frankly, dangerous for our environment. The truth is that the proposed solutions for our water crisis won’t be ready by the time our local water supply runs out.

How should we meet the challenge of the cost of living and climate crises?

To combat the scourge of inequality, the Green Party nationally is calling for a wealth tax on the super-rich, who have startlingly large carbon footprints; the introduction of an unconditional universal basic income; the provision of free school meals for all primary and secondary schoolchildren; and the nationalising/renationalising of the energy and water companies. Cambridge has enormous prestige, but many living in the city do not have a stake in that success and affluence. We need to share this wealth with local communities, ensuring a decent standard of living for all and a healthy, sustainable society.

What transport improvements do you support and oppose here?

Driving must be discouraged, to reduce congestion as well as carbon emissions. CSCGP believe a workplace parking levy, a tax paid by large employers on staff parking bays, would be a fair and effective first step. The money raised would be invested in improvements to public transport. The search should also continue for a fairer, less expensive form of road pricing, one that might encourage able-bodied citizens to choose bus or active travel over car travel. East West Rail (EWR) infrastructure and its construction must have minimal environmental impact, the trains must be electric, safety must be paramount and there should be good, active travel links along the route.

How will you support our children and young people?

A universal basic income funded via a wealth tax on the super-rich would address the scandal of rising child poverty in our country. This is shameful in a country like ours boasting so much wealth. Further, Green MPs would push for an education system that is fully inclusive, with better funded support for special educational needs and all children provided with a free school meal. We would push for the restoration of higher education grants and the end of tuition fees and we would press to reduce the stress in our education system by ending high-stakes, formal testing at primary and secondary schools and by abolishing Ofsted.

Shane Manning – Conservatives

Shane Manning - Conservative
Shane Manning - Conservative

Why should voters choose you?

I’m the only candidate that has a clear plan for the long term, is listening to local people and is willing to take the bold decisions needed for a secure and sustainable future for Cambridge.

For the last 30 years, Labour and the Lib Dems have dominated the city council. From the hundreds of people I’ve spoken to, many tell me that they don’t think they’re being listened to. Rather than offer practical and long term solutions to our city’s challenges, like I will, all Labour and the Lib Dems offer is ideological pet projects that hurt hard working people.

Michael Gove proposed 150,000 new homes in the Cambridge area by 2050. What do you think of the plans?

We need to build more homes in and around Cambridge and support hard working families who want to get on the property ladder do so affordably. There’s no getting away from it. However, we must also be mindful of the challenges we face, namely around water scarcity and the lack of necessary infrastructure to support this many additional homes. Such plans also need to be done in partnership with local leaders and bring the community with them. Done properly, with the support of local people and in the right places, there is no limit to what Cambridge can achieve.

How should we meet the challenge of the cost of living and climate crises?

Taking a practical approach to reaching net zero. We are cutting the cost of net zero for consumers by taking a more pragmatic approach, guaranteeing no new green levies or charges while accelerating the rollout of renewables.

We are also making a manifesto commitment to retain the Energy Price Cap to keep energy bills down and ensure that the impact of climate policies on household bills is explicitly considered by the Climate Change Committee.

We have brought inflation down to two per cent and are promising to cut taxes for working people so that they get to keep more of their money.

What transport improvements do you support and oppose here?

I’m firmly opposed to any form of congestion charge or road charging of any kind.

I believe we need a combination of short and long-term solutions. In the short term, we should support those willing and able to walk, cycle and use buses to do so by ensuring the infrastructure is in place to do so safely.

However, in the long term, we need more than just more buses. I would support the roll out of a light rail network across our city. This will transform how people get around as well as being better for our natural environment.

How will you support our children and young people?

By ensuring that they are given the skills and opportunities needed for the jobs of the future, whether this be by increasing access to university for the most disadvantaged students or through more technical skills training.

Every child deserves a world-class education. I will fight for new schools to be built and SEND places to be created to keep up with growing demand.

I will also push for more apprenticeships and business links to ensure local people benefit from growing Cambridge industries like life sciences. I oppose Labour's disastrous private school VAT plans, which would swamp local state schools.

Also standing

David Carmona, Independent

David Carmona Picture: Keith Heppell
David Carmona Picture: Keith Heppell

“In an unstable world racked by wars, natural disasters, technology threatening our jobs, social media that messes with our minds, immigrants knocking at the door, weak leadership and polarising ideologies, let’s strengthen our communities and gently correct course to secure a future for us and the next generations, focusing on community, education, mutual respect, compromise and a can-do attitude:

- always putting local people first

- educational measures that strengthen society

- a voluntary national service in the NHS, social services for school leavers

- reform of university funding and more apprenticeships

- low-cost housing, job security and perks for key workers

- measures to overcome isolation and insecurity of older people

- incentives for industry and innovation in this country

- less outsourcing, offshoring, middlemen in our economy

- fair protection of our high streets from e-commerce.

“The people around us are the best guarantee of our security and well-being.”

Keith Garrett, Rebooting Democracy

Keith Garrett - Rebooting Democracy
Keith Garrett - Rebooting Democracy

“People have lost faith in the political process with its warring parties, advert spends and dog whistle messaging.

“Rebooting Democracy is here to fix that by going back to the original form of democracy, random selection. These mini-publics would listen to evidence, deliberate and make choices on issues being faced. There would be no lobbying, whips or career politicians and the people would have true agency over things that affect them. This would allow long-term thinking without the need to create popular policies to get elected every five years. Media moguls would no longer control the agenda as they do now since when people are given time and space to deliberate they move away from such sources. We would move away from adversarial politics towards a system where we work together to build a better future.”

Khalid Abu-Tayyem, Workers Party of Britain

Khalid Abu-Tayyem Picture: Keith Heppell
Khalid Abu-Tayyem Picture: Keith Heppell

On his website, the NHS oncologist says: “I have decided to stand as a candidate to improve the city and uphold our true values. Together, we can address the neglect and poor budgeting that the historic city of Cambridge has faced, as well as other pressing issues such as water pollution, crime, and healthcare deterioration.”



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