General Election 2024 Q&A: St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire candidates answer key questions
In this instalment in our Q&As with candidates vying for your votes on July 4, we quiz those competing in a new seat, which takes in parts of what was formerly in the South Cambridgeshire constituency. It promises to be a fascinating battle...
You can also read our other constituency Q&As - for Cambridge, for South Cambridgeshire and for Ely and East Cambridgeshire.
Anthony Browne – Conservatives
Why should voters choose you?
I was born and raised locally so I care deeply about this area, and I know how to get things done for local people. As the MP for South Cambs from 2019, I helped secure funding for two new Cambridge hospitals, Cambridge South Station and the new A428. I also got the Government to back the much-needed new Fens reservoir that will protect our natural water resources.
I am the only candidate capable of properly challenging the Liberal Democrat and Labour councils that run Cambridgeshire, with their damaging policies such as the congestion charge and the four-day week.
Michael Gove proposed 150,000 new homes in the Cambridge area by 2050. What do you think of the plans?
I made my opposition to the plans very clear when they were announced. Cambridge needs to grow, but only when the right infrastructure is in place, and most importantly, cannot take place until Cambridge’s water shortage problems are sorted.
Any major future development must deliver benefits to local people and not simply serve the powerful vested interests in Cambridge. Much development around the city has been badly executed, and that must change. In Northstowe, the Lib Dem council has failed to build the GP practice and shops that they promised to deliver. These mistakes must not be repeated.
How should we meet the challenge of the cost of living and climate crises?
We need to improve our national productivity and economic growth, so that there is more money to fund essential public services. Inflation is down to two per cent, earnings are rising more than inflation and tax cuts have put money in people’s pockets.
These conditions give investors confidence in the UK, and we are now the fastest growing economy in the G7.
The UK has halved its greenhouse gas emissions, which are at the lowest since 1856. Our policies – such as 80 per cent of car sales being zero emission by 2030 – put us on target to reach net zero by 2050.
Do you approve of the C2C busway plan and do you support East West Rail? What transport improvements do you support and oppose here?
The C2C busway – pushed by the local Lib Dems – is incredibly environmentally destructive, destroying Coton Orchard, and expensive. I will continue to push them to consider alternatives, such as the cheaper on-road bus lane option. East West Rail should only proceed if it can show that it has a robust business case, which so far it has not. If it is built, I will push for the best possible mitigations to reduce its impact on residents and local farmers. There must be proper compensation for those seriously affected and it cannot be for diesel trains.
How will you support our children and young people?
Our children deserve the best start in life and a good education is key to improving life chances. We are lucky to have many outstanding local schools, but not all are succeeding as they should. I have been campaigning for the two struggling secondary schools in St Neots to have a change of management.
I successfully campaigned for schools funding in Cambridge to rise faster than the national average. It’s great to see Cambourne Village College expand its facilities, and get a new sixth form.
If elected, I will push for more apprenticeships to be made available to young people in our area.
Ian Sollom – Liberal Democrats
Why should voters choose you?
I have lived in Cambridgeshire for nearly 20 years, first arriving to study for postgraduate degrees in maths and physics, before moving on to a career helping business leaders with their most difficult, complex decisions.
Like many I have despaired at the quality of our politicians and political debate, and the lack of integrity too frequently on display. Looking at my son and his generation, if we are to pass on a better world to them – a world where every individual can thrive no matter their background – we deserve better than more from the Conservative Party. The Lib Dems’ winning record here makes me the best option for change.
Michael Gove proposed 150,000 new homes in the Cambridge area by 2050. What do you think of the plans?
Our area has huge national importance in terms of scientific advances and economic growth. A new government, of whatever colour, is going to promote more development. As MP for many of the fastest-growing new towns and neighbourhoods in the country, I will make sure that the voice of residents is at the centre of any new vision. A development corporation run by unelected people is not acceptable.
Locally, I and my colleagues have shown that we can produce a Local Plan that supports sustainable growth while improving the natural environment. We have learned from the mistakes of the past to create better places. We do not need ministers and civil servants telling us what to do.
How should we meet the challenge of the cost of living and climate crises?
Everyday costs have gone through the roof. The weekly shop, mortgages, rents, heating – all are up. The incompetence and disregard of Johnson, Truss and now Sunak are making this so much worse for everyone. As well as careful economic management, we need to provide targeted help on energy bills and to tackle rising food prices through a National Food Strategy.
The rising cost of living makes addressing the climate crisis harder so, more than ever, we must focus on doing so in ways that don’t affect the poorest and most vulnerable, for example with support for rooftop solar and home insulation.
Do you approve of the C2C busway plan and do you support East West Rail? What transport improvements do you support and oppose here?
Public transport in the towns and villages west of Cambridge is far too poor. The existing buses just aren’t reliable enough for getting to work and study. If done right, C2C and East West Rail could help solve this.
EWR must show a strong business case and a better engagement approach. A new railway must be electrified and not run diesel trains. Tempsford station must be well connected to St Neots.
I have worked hard over many years to ensure all options for C2C have been fully explored. This will be scrutinised through the planning permission process. But we cannot hold this scheme up any longer.
How will you support our children and young people?
Children have been through such a hard time in recent years, with cuts to funding for education and youth services compounded by the impact of the Covid pandemic.
I believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life, and we aren’t currently achieving that. Among the policies I would advocate as MP are to extend free school meals so that every child in poverty, and eventually to all primary school children; and to rejoin the Erasmus programme so that young people have the opportunity to spend time studying in another European country.
I would also push for increased SEND funding for schools.
Marianna Masters – Labour
Why should voters choose you?
I am a hardworking woman who wants to help people. If elected, I will live in the area; every day I discover more and more beautiful places.
However, although I’m enjoying conversations with lots of local people, it’s clear so many feel let down by politicians who don’t seem to care.
I care deeply about improving people’s lives. I know it’s exhausting to run out of money before the end of the month. I can be a voice for change for the people of St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire within what I hope to be an incoming Labour government.
Michael Gove proposed 150,000 new homes in the Cambridge area by 2050. What do you think of the plans?
Like a lot of Conservative announcements in the past 14 years, Gove’s proposal is designed to make headlines, not solve problems.
Without investment in infrastructure – water supply, transport links, health and education services, residents are right to be concerned that new builds will suffer the same infrastructure issues as Northstowe and Cambourne.
Across the country young people are finding it very difficult to afford rents or buy a home in the places they have grown up. Labour will address this with our Freedom to Buy scheme for first time buyers, and giving first dibs to local people on new developments.
How should we meet the challenge of the cost of living and climate crises?
The cost of living crisis – driven by the reckless Liz Truss Budget – hit those with the least, the hardest. But everyone has been affected by the unfair and unnecessary Tory decisions. Labour’s missions offer a changed approach to the chaos of desperate and disconnected policy announcements, and broken promises from the Conservatives.
The investment in GB Energy will create jobs, boost our green energy capacity and reduce our reliance on the volatile international energy prices in an increasingly volatile world. Rachel Reeves’ strict fiscal rules mean that, despite the huge desire for change, we will only spend what we can afford.
Do you approve of the C2C busway plan and do you support East West Rail? What transport improvements do you support and oppose here?
Speaking to residents, there is clearly a huge concern about the lack of public transport available. Labour’s plans to franchise buses will give local authorities greater control of routes and fares. It’s a popular policy that our Labour mayor wants here. I would support it and a Labour government will make it easier to put into place. Busways are a part of the answer, but the views of all road users must be considered when planning for a better connected region.
I would lobby for the electrification of East West Rail and would like to see a review of which stations are right for Mid Cambridgeshire.
How will you support our children and young people?
For the first time, young people cannot currently expect to have lives as good as parents. This is shameful. A Labour government will change this.
We will recruit 6,500 teachers in schools. We will ensure that all pupils have access to mental health support. By rapidly cutting waiting times Labour will make sure that young children can get the NHS appointments they need and have better access to dentists.
And we will give young people back the opportunities, with our Youth Guarantee scheme our Young Futures programme for example, that whatever their background, they will be able to get on.
Kathryn Fisher – Green
Why should voters choose you?
I have lived in the constituency for over 20 years so I have a deep connection to the area and I am passionate about helping people in this community. At 29, I am relatively young for a political candidate, so I hope to bring a fresh, positive energy to the political landscape.
The Green Party recognises that we are not born equal and that there are entrenched systems in place that sustain this inequality. I am standing in the general election to champion change, break down these systems and ensure everyone in this country benefits.
Michael Gove proposed 150,000 new homes in the Cambridge area by 2050. What do you think of the plans?
Cambridge is currently in the midst of a water crisis. The UK is home to 85 per cent of the world's chalk streams and lots of them are in Cambridgeshire! 99 per cent of Cambridge Water’s supply comes from chalk aquifers. The trouble is, that due to the unsustainable rates of development in the region (pushed by Michael Gove) our chalk streams have been over-extracted and now our water stability is at risk. I believe Gove has been incredibly reckless and has been blinkered by the need for more and more growth without considering the long term effects for our communities and our planet.
How should we meet the challenge of the cost of living and climate crises?
The Green Party believes that fighting inequality and the climate crisis goes hand in hand. To help people out of the cost of living crisis, we will invest heavily in our public services such healthcare, education and public transport. We will advocate for the minimum wage to increase to £15/hour for workers of all ages, and introduce rent caps. We would invest £29bn over the next five years to insulate homes as well as bring energy into public heads so that people’s bills are reduced. We will also invest in renewable energy to generate new jobs and energy security.
Do you approve of the C2C busway plan and do you support East West Rail? What transport improvements do you support and oppose here?
I oppose the C2C busway; we do not need new roads that slice through countryside and destroy orchards, we need an integrated bus network that is sustainable, reliable and affordable.
We need public transport infrastructure in Cambridgeshire, but the current East West Rail proposal is not the answer. Of the five routes proposed in 2019, EWR ignored residents and picked the most expensive and least sustainable route. It does not have a station in St Neots and would instead stop in Tempsford, increasing property prices for developers hoping to build on the flood plains of the Great Ouse.
How will you support our children and young people?
Education is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children. The Green Party will invest £8bn/year into our education system, including a £2bn pay uplift for teachers. We will create class sizes of 20 students per teacher and broaden the curriculum to include lessons on the natural world, British Sign Language and citizenship. We will also provide all children with free school meals that will be healthy, local and organic. Young people are desperate to help solve the climate crisis. The Green Party offers these young people reassurance that we are fighting to avert climate collapse.
Stephen Ferguson – Independent
Why should voters choose you?
I’m an engineer by trade. It’s all about pragmatic problem solving: making things work in the real world. Like most people, I find tribalistic party politics deeply frustrating. Politicians shouldn’t put party loyalty before their constituents!
That’s why I’ve always been genuinely Independent, and I’ve repeatedly shown that
Independents really can win here! For over four years, I’ve served as an elected representative for about 40 per cent of you in this new constituency: twice as mayor of St Neots, as a Huntingdonshire District councillor and as a Cambridgeshire county councillor. In fact, as a two-time Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council, it’s been my privilege to serve you all!
I’ve always put you first, working hard and bringing honesty and integrity to the highest levels in local politics. I’d be truly honoured to be your MP — a strong voice in Westminster that can’t be bought and won’t be silenced.
Michael Gove proposed 150,000 new homes in the Cambridge area by 2050. What do you think of the plans?
We need more houses, but the plans for 150,000+ of them would destroy the rural nature of our region forever. Too often, developers fail to honour big promises. Our ‘new towns’ of Cambourne and Northstowe have much to admire, but time and again residents tell me their needs have been forgotten. Northstowe has no GP. No public transport. No leisure facilities. Not even a shop!
My vision is not just for homes, but for communities. With both affordable and social housing. Where people can thrive, with access to jobs, shops, GPs, leisure facilities, transport links and infrastructure. I want Cambourne, Northstowe and Wintringham to feel a part of this region — we must plan and build things right.
How should we meet the challenge of the cost of living and climate crises?
Austerity's devastating impact in the UK has killed more people than COVID-19 deaths, decimating public services like the NHS, police, and transportation. This misguided ideology has concentrated wealth among the privileged few, while impoverishing the masses.
It's time to abandon this destructive dogma, invest robustly in vital public services, and prioritise equitable economic policies for all citizens' well-being.
In the massive house building frenzy that is about to overwhelm the region, we need to make sure that there is more than ample provision for social housing with rent at affordable prices, and not just executive or so-called “affordable housing” that are unaffordable to people on regular incomes.
Do you approve of the C2C busway plan and do you support East West Rail? What transport improvements do you support and oppose here?
EWR route has a single station in Cambourne, that is supposed to serve our entire 75k person, 20 mile long, constituency. If East West Rail were designed to serve our region we’d be able to reach it without having to drive.
Instead, it opens the back door to put vast new housing developments in our countryside. I support the Oxford to Cambridge railway in principle. But not a diesel service that doesn’t get us into Cambridge or Bedford and out of our cars. I will urge the government to re-examine the plans. We could spend that money better on a light railway that actually serves our communities and won’t result in environmental devastation of pushing a 500m strip through grade one agricultural land, devastating communities in its path.
At Cambridgeshire County Council I voted in favour of the C2C busway because Cambourne and Bourne desperately need better public transportation connectivity with Cambridge. I was the only member of the Joint Administration to rebel against my Lib Dem and Labour colleagues, and voted to try to divert the busway away from Coton Orchard.
On the A428 upgrade I will continue to demand the provision of active transport provision so that we can reach St Neots, Cambourne and Cambridge by foot, bicycle, wheelchair or even on a horse! It’s not good enough to spend a billion pounds of public money and deliver no benefit for non-drivers.
We need better and more reliable bus services that properly serve the whole area, and connect our villages and towns. I have established working relationships with all of the major bus operators in the region, and have campaigned successfully for better services. This has convinced me that we need a bus franchising model, that puts control of the buses back in the hands of elected leaders, so that they are not subjected to the whims of commercial operators who cancel and modify routes and services on a whim.
More than anything we need a grand vision for a reliable network that connects people to jobs, education and each other, without having to make numerous interchanges, and without having to drive to a stop or station.
How will you support our children and young people?
Young people were hit the hardest by austerity and lockdowns. School and college were interrupted. Work became more isolating. Youth facilities closed. More parents than ever rely on foodbanks.
The biggest thing that we could do to support young people is to sort out the disconnected mess of public transportation which prevents them from accessing education, jobs, and entertainment. These obstacles equate to deprivation that is baked into young people’s lives, and will prevent them reaching their full potential in adult life.
Also standing
Guy Lachlan is standing for Reform UK and said: “Like many people, I have become disillusioned with the lack of ideological diversity among our political class.
“All major parties support unsustainable levels of inward migration (while opposing home building locally), high levels of taxation, big government, pouring ever more money into a broken NHS, and net zero policies that will bankrupt the country.
“It’s no wonder that our youth are disillusioned and leaving the country in droves. Vote Reform UK to speak up for sensible, pragmatic, pro-growth policies and for a renewed sense of optimism in Britain that we so badly need.”
Bev White is standing for the Party of Women and said she is standing for election because she does not believe anybody on the ballot paper will “adequately represent her, an adult human female”.
She said: “Despite living in a democracy, over the years my questions to elected representatives about aspects of self-identification (self ID), gender identity and the impact on women and girls have been ignored, met with derision, scorn and name-calling, rather than reasoned conversation.
“This led to me making the decision to stand as a Parliamentary candidate.”
