| Notes |
"In the run-up to the General Election 2015, the SNJ will be interviewing all the candidates hoping to become Stroud’s next MP.
This week, reporter Jamie Wiseman spoke to UKIP's Caroline Stephens.
Why do you think you would be a good MP for Stroud?
Though I live in Chippenham I probably spend more time pounding the streets of Stroud that other candidates who actually live here do, I speak to a lot of people and know what people are concerned about.
A big issue of contention here in Stroud is of course housing development. Land bankers and big businesses have favoured over residents, which means they ignore the opinions and local plans of people who actually live in the area. New developments like the site west of Stonehouse drives up house prices for first time buyers and accelerate migration to the area.
UKIP favour a new system of local referendums on issues like these, so that the electorate can have the final say on developments in their area.
Which of your party’s policies do you hold most dear?
Definitely the National Health Service. I’ve always been interested in helping the vulnerable, even from a young age, its in my DNA. We will put three billion into the NHS, funded from an exit from the EU – which will save 55 million pounds a day.
We will also deal with the management structure. 51% of the staff in the NHS are managers or non-clinicians, which we think is far too top heavy.
We come to the issue of the EU. Why in your opinion should Britain leave the European Union?
We were taken into the EU without being asked. This is why I joined UKIP in the first place. A few years ago a friend took me to a UKIP public meeting, where I learnt about the profligacy of our government spending 55 million pounds a day to a group of unelected beaurocrats in Brussels.
We believe is making the UK a fully democratic country, which can only be done by leaving the EU. Parts of Europe are doing very badly and going through a triple dip recession, with huge numbers of unemployment.
Taxpayer’s money should be used for local services, not squandered away to the EU and lost in foreign aid.
You mentioned the foreign aid budget, what is UKIP’s policy?
Well it’s something that we are very concerned about. All the other political parties have put that into statute now that we have to pay 0.7% of GDP for international aid, a lot of which finds its way into the wrong hands.
It’s been described as taxing poor people in a rich country, to give to rich people in a poor country.
How can it be acceptable to waste hundreds of millions on foreign aid when schools and hospitals in Stroud face financial crises?
We don’t want to scrap the budget all together, but make radical changes so that we put the money aside for clean water, medicines and resources to help people produce their own food, not just to wait for handouts.
Are there any benefits to staying in the European Union?
For every one positive the EU brings, there are three things that negate it.
It imposes often ludicrous regulations on businesses in this country. Our fishing industry for example has been decimated by our membership of the EU; our fleets are only a fraction of what they once were.
Breaking away from the EU would not fracture and trade relationship with the economic powers within the EU like Germany and France. There is actually little evidence that suggests trade would substantially fall between the UK and European businesses if we chose to leave. Plus, if you are not a member of the EU, then you can’t be subjected to the pressures of TTIP.
Leaving the EU is the only way to make the United Kingdom a fully democratic country.
But how do issues of immigration affect people in Stroud?
With a net immigration to the UK in the last year of 300,000 – that’s six times the size of Cheltenham – they have to live somewhere, they can’t all live in London.
This government has no control and no knowledge of how many people are coming into the country, which makes it impossible to plan ahead for issues like housing, hospital beds or primary school places. That’s why we have big housing developments like in Stonehouse.
There is a need for house building across the UK. These big issues do filter down to a local level.
Would it be fair to say that UKIP are predominantly a two policy party?
UKIP stands for much more than opposition to the European Union and immigration. Like I said, the UK’s membership of the EU affects people on a local level, whether its business, housing, education, the health service or the environment. But at the centre of UKIP is the idea that the Government should work for the voters, not the other way around.
What are your views on national defence and the renewal of trident?
In 15 years time, our international aid budget will out-strip what we spend on defence. This is something we in UKIP are up in arms about. We believe that you have to have a deterrent, so we are supporters of trident.
Unlike the Tories, we have a funded plan and will spend an estimated £16bn more than them on defence over the next parliament. That means increasing spending more money on our conventional armed forces too.
We couldn’t re-take the Falklands now if it came under attack. I think it’s a worry for a lot of people. If you speak to anyone in the armed forces they are extremely unhappy, so we propose meeting the 2% GDP spent on defence.
What do you think of Nigel Farage and did he perform well in the leader’s debates?
Yes I think he did well. It’s difficult in a seven or five-way debate to get heard and properly get your points accross, but I think he performed admirably. I know Nigel quite well, he’s a likeable person. Everyone who meets him socially likes to have a chat; he’s very open and down to earth.
I think it appeals to people that he’s seen in social situations like the pub rather than the golf club. That’s what makes him stand out against the other Westminster leaders.
Would it be fair to say that for some disillusioned voters, UKIP are a protest vote against the current Westminster system?
There is a general disillusionment with all the other parties. Issues are always raised, promises made, but nothing ever happens. We want action and change, so for some people UKIP can be a protest vote yes – a vote against a system that’s been in place too long and that doesn’t work for the people.
I’d like to think that one of our main selling points compared to the Westminster parties is that we are prepared to do local referendums. There appears to be no democracy these days. On a larger scale, we have lost our democratic sovereignty to Brussels, and on a smaller level, local people have no democratic power to vote on issues that affect them directly. UKIP would work to change this.
What are UKIP’s policies on the environment and renewable energy?
We oppose the subsidies that are being given for wind turbines and solar farms; they are a major reason why our energy is so expensive. When the technology is more efficient then there could be a time in the future where we re-incorporate renewable energy sources, but right now we are in favour of gas power plants and nuclear energy. We need to develop realistic approach to energy.
With a number of high profile and well-documented racist, sexist or homophobic comments from UKIP candidates and councillors in the last year, do you think your party attracts this kind of attitude?
Anyone who has ever said anything totally outrageous has been gotten rid of immediately. We have a zero tolerance policy of these issues. I do think UKIP is singled out and focused on disproportionally when these kinds of incidents happen.
What are your realistic expectations for UKIP on May 7 in Stroud and more broadly in the UK?
I’ve worked my socks off since last year; I fully believe I have a chance.
I really can feel the support in Stroud, but it’s mainly in areas of the periphery of the constituency. In Stroud we are getting an equal number of people coming from Labour areas than from Conservative areas and in twelve months of canvassing I've only met one person who has said they are going to vote Lib Dem.
On a larger scale, I think we can continue our success in the European elections, and hopefully this can translate to MPs. We have had a huge surge over the last couple of years and we have campaigned very hard in key areas, so we are hopeful.
UKIP have already had a massive impact on the political landscape of the UK, and I think we’ll continue to inthe coming parliament. People understand our message and we appeal to voters across the political spectrum.
Why should people vote for you on May 7?
I want to put people power first.
Originally from Yorkshire, Mrs Stephens now lives with her husband and two children in Chippenham.
She has previously worked in insurance as well as a maths teacher at both primary and secondary level.
Graduated with a degree in secondary mathematics education with qualified teacher statusQTS from the University of the West of England, Bristol.
Mrs Stephens has been a volunteer worker for the Citizens Advice Bureau and other charities.
For more information visit: www.carolinestephens.info/"
https://archive.fo/69FFm |