Jacquie Bell replies to Darlington and Stockton Times letter to all candidates on numerous issues

Jacquie Bell writes :

I refer to last week's edition in which reader, Peter Chadwick, of Eaglescliffe asked a number of questions of those seeking to represent him as MP in Stockton South.

Here are my responses which I hope you will publish.

· I would generally follow the party whip. I believe that Lib Dems have some good policies for this area. However, there might be situations where, following discussion with the whip, I would vote against if I felt party line was not in the interests of my constituency e.g. if Id been MP in the current government Id have voted against Post Office Closures.

· Our future lies in working more closely with Europe in matters of mutual benefit such as breaking down trade barriers, international crime fighting and stricter regulation of financial services whilst pressing to eliminate waste and reform the Common Agricultural Policy. Europe offers many ways for cross fertilization of ideas. My husband is involved in a number of European initiatives bringing together landscape architects from around Europe. He is also Professor and Head of Landscape Architecture at the University of Life Sciences in Tartu, Estonia. Students study there from many parts of the EU.

· It is in the UK's long term interest to join the Euro but only when the time is right and after a referendum.

· Lib Dems will not cut spending on front line NHS services. We will increase spending in some sectors of the NHS whilst seeking to reduce waste in other areas e.g. excessive bureaucracy.

· As a social worker in a hospital for older people I am in daily contact with their need for equality of care provision. I have personally fought against ageism in the system on behalf of individuals. I advocate for my clients to have their wishes and needs respected.

· Liberal Democrats oppose regressive taxes. We will reverse the 1% rise in National Insurance as soon as practicable and abolish higher rate Income tax relief on pension contributions.

· Lib Dems believe that we should invite reps from all parties into an urgent, radical national review of public spending. We want to eliminate tax avoidance and charge Capital Gains Tax at the same rate as Income Tax. We will not replace Trident, like for like. We will cease spending on Child Trust Funds. We will not introduce ID cards.

· I oppose strongly the proposal to move Egglescliffe School to Preston Park. Such a move would spoil one of the Borough's treasures without solving the problems of providing enough secondary school places at Ingleby Barwick.

· Lib Dems wish to cut down pollution from HGVs in favour of more sustainable transport. However, any restrictions on vehicles using Yarm Bridge should take into account the needs of businesses in Eaglescliffe and Yarm.