This page contains the views of the MP candidates for Bury South on a wide range of issues

To see how their views compare with yours, pick any quote below and select your view.

Stop press: 2 of your candidates haven't gone on the record!

Paul Chadwick
(UK Independence Party - UKIP)
because we couldn't contact them

Michelle Wiseman
(Conservative Party)

Let's start by looking at the local statements

(skip to national statements)

• We asked volunteers to find local questions, but unfortunately none have been submitted for this constituency.

National statements

(back to local statements)

• Many people think taxes will have to rise in the next parliament to cut Britain's budget deficit. If they do, any increases should disproportionately be paid by higher earners.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  George Heron (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“Tax increases should be instead of cuts; step towards more equal society, fund 'Green New Deal'”
  Jean Purdy (British National Party)	strongly agrees
  	“Low wage earners should be removed from tax, as this would make working worthwhile. Some of the poorest peolple in this country are single wage-earners living alone and they seem to be ignored by goverments”
  Valerie Morris (English Democrats Party)		agrees
  Ivan Lewis (Labour Party)		agrees
  	“That is why Labours NAt Insurance increase and new 50% tax rate are fair while the Tories tax break for millionaires and almost certain vat increases would be unfair”
  Victor D'Albert (Liberal Democrats)		agrees

• The British government interferes too much with business.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  George Heron (Green Party)			is neutral
  	“We propose a shift of balance to local trade and small business and have measures to (eg) curtail supermarket power and support small business”
  Jean Purdy (British National Party)	strongly agrees
  	“There are far too many rules and regulations coming particularly from the EEC, which make life difficult for small businesses in particular”
  Valerie Morris (English Democrats Party)		agrees
  Ivan Lewis (Labour Party)			is neutral
  Victor D'Albert (Liberal Democrats)		agrees

• Government should tackle climate change aggressively even if it means energy bills go up.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  George Heron (Green Party)		agrees
  	“Action should start with energy saving eg Green New Deal programme of insulation of 4 million homes a year; poor should always be protected”
  Jean Purdy (British National Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“I disagree on this, because though CO2 emissions need to be lowered, high heating bills fall most heavily on pensioners and low earners. We need to do more to encourage good insulation, particularly for new-build.”
  Valerie Morris (English Democrats Party)				disagrees
  	“The financial state of the country means people could not afford an increase in energy bills.”
  Ivan Lewis (Labour Party)			is neutral
  	“Because it would be wrong to disregard the impact of higher energy bills on people with low and fixed incomes”
  Victor D'Albert (Liberal Democrats)		agrees

• It would be a big problem if Britain became more economically unequal over the next 5 years.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  George Heron (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“More equal societies are happier and healthier and ours is already absurdly unequal. Our living wage proposals (£8.10) a week and 10:1 ratio between richest and poorest would make it more equal”
  Jean Purdy (British National Party)	strongly agrees
  	“The difference between the rich and poor has increased during Labour's 13years, not only in wages and salaries, but in the education chances for the most disadvantaged”
  Valerie Morris (English Democrats Party)			is neutral
  	“Unequal to what?”
  Ivan Lewis (Labour Party)	strongly agrees
  Victor D'Albert (Liberal Democrats)		agrees

• Despite the recession, Britain should increase spending on public sector services.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  George Heron (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“Cuts don't end recession, spending does.”
  Jean Purdy (British National Party)				disagrees
  	“We cannot go on spending what we do not have, but withdrawal fron the EEC would leave money to inprove services, but we need to ensure that public money is spent to the best possible advantage”
  Valerie Morris (English Democrats Party)				disagrees
  	“What is needed is to cut out waste, uncontrolled spending is not the answer.”
  Ivan Lewis (Labour Party)		agrees
  Victor D'Albert (Liberal Democrats)			is neutral
  	“Britain should ensure spending keeps up with inflation and that funds are utilised for front line services and important initiatives and not wasted on beurocracy, management and marketing.”

• People should provide for their own retirement, and not demand the state to help them do so.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  George Heron (Green Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“Our Citizen's Pension of £170 a week is fair and will contribute to social cohesion - leaving it to individuals would increase inequality”
  Jean Purdy (British National Party)		agrees
  	“I agree that they should if they have the opportunity, but many people are unable to do so, either through sickness or loss of jobs, so state pensions are a necessity”
  Valerie Morris (English Democrats Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“People are already paying into the Government scheme, if they provide one for themselves then tax from pay would have to be stopped.”
  Ivan Lewis (Labour Party)			is neutral
  	“It is right that people are encouraged to plan for their retirement but of course the State should positively assist.”
  Victor D'Albert (Liberal Democrats)			is neutral
  	“People should be encouraged to provide for their retirement, but the state should provide a helping hand for those on lesser incomes.”

• Immigration levels are too high.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  George Heron (Green Party)			is neutral
  	“Unbalanced migration from one part of the world to another comes from global inequality. Only tackling that will reduce migration. Multiracial societies are culturally rich and socially desirable.”
  Jean Purdy (British National Party)	strongly agrees
  	“We cannot continue admitting everyonr who decides to come here, putting extra stress on our schools, housing and hospitals. We must have strong border controls”
  Valerie Morris (English Democrats Party)	strongly agrees
  Ivan Lewis (Labour Party)				disagrees
  	“But there need to be proper controls ie the new Australian point system and action against those who are here illegally. We should continue our programme to return foreign national prisoners to their countires of origin.”
  Victor D'Albert (Liberal Democrats)		agrees
  	“BUT, immigration to support certain industries, perhaps seasonally and with skill shortages is desired. It needs to be carefully managed and controlled with better border controlls and exit checks, with a crackdown on illegal immigration”

• There are too many CCTV cameras in Britain.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  George Heron (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“Contribution to stopping crime exaggerated; we have become a surveillance society.”
  Jean Purdy (British National Party)		agrees
  	“We seem to be spied on everywhere. It does not seem to be the British way.”
  Valerie Morris (English Democrats Party)			is neutral
  Ivan Lewis (Labour Party)				disagrees
  	“CCTV must have limits in terms of personal intrusion but overall it is a very important vehicle in the fight against crime.”
  Victor D'Albert (Liberal Democrats)	strongly agrees

• A married, heterosexual couple provide the best environment in which to raise a family.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  George Heron (Green Party)			is neutral
  	“Loving happy couples provide the best environment whether they are married, heterosexual or not.”
  Jean Purdy (British National Party)		agrees
  	“I believe children need the security of two parents in a stable relationship.”
  Valerie Morris (English Democrats Party)		agrees
  Ivan Lewis (Labour Party)				disagrees
  	“for many children this is a positive environment, however, there are many examples of children who are neglected, unhappy or abused in such settings. Equally many single parents and non married couples do an excellent job ie not stigmatised”
  Victor D'Albert (Liberal Democrats)			is neutral

• In general, politicians in Britain are honest.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  George Heron (Green Party)			is neutral
  	“Political class seduced by proximity to City culture: false sense of entitlement over decades led to corruption.”
  Jean Purdy (British National Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“We all know how dishonest many have been. If elected I will publicise my expenses, preferably in the local paper”
  Valerie Morris (English Democrats Party)				disagrees
  	“The expenses scandal has shown this not to be true.”
  Ivan Lewis (Labour Party)		agrees
  	“However, in the light of the expenses scandal politicians as a group have lost public confidence and respect. The greatest challenge facing the new parliament is to rebuild public trust”
  Victor D'Albert (Liberal Democrats)		agrees
  	“I would say that wouldn't I!”

• The arts in Britain should pay for themselves, and not rely on Government subsidy.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  George Heron (Green Party)				disagrees
  Jean Purdy (British National Party)				disagrees
  	“A civilised country needs the arts. However, presently most of the money seems to go to the few--more should be directed towards children.”
  Valerie Morris (English Democrats Party)				disagrees
  	“The arts are our Heritage and also bring in funding form other areas.”
  Ivan Lewis (Labour Party)				disagrees
  Victor D'Albert (Liberal Democrats)				disagrees

• The new British government should begin negotiations to leave the European Union.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  George Heron (Green Party)				disagrees
  	“Decisions should be made at appropriate level; EU needs reform but is useful for eg climate change.”
  Jean Purdy (British National Party)	strongly agrees
  	“We voted to join a trading organisation. The EEC is expensive to maintain and has ruined many of our industries,”
  Valerie Morris (English Democrats Party)	strongly agrees
  	“Pull out of the corrupt European political system and remain part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)”
  Ivan Lewis (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees
  Victor D'Albert (Liberal Democrats)					strongly disagrees

• Even if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, Britain should not support any military action against Iran.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  George Heron (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“The wars of the last decade have been counterproductive. Decommission Trident and encourage US/Russia disarmament to reduce temptation for others to arm themselves”
  Jean Purdy (British National Party)	strongly agrees
  	“We should continue diplomacy, but we must not become involved in another war”
  Valerie Morris (English Democrats Party)				disagrees
  	“Britain should only support the U.N if they deem action to be necessary then it would be part of a coalition force.”
  Ivan Lewis (Labour Party)			is neutral
  	“Iran is in serious breach of UN resolutions and her NPT obligations. It is right that we continue to offer Iran dialogue but because of their refusal to respond positively we have no choice but to push for tougher economic sanctions.”
  Victor D'Albert (Liberal Democrats)			is neutral
  	“I don't think major security issues such as that are as black and white as that.”

• British troops should stay in Afghanistan as long as they are needed.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  George Heron (Green Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“Should be withdrawn asap”
  Jean Purdy (British National Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“The corrupt government of Afghanistan is not worth the death of one British serviceman or woman. Nor does it defend us against terrorists--they are here already”
  Valerie Morris (English Democrats Party)		agrees
  	“They should only be there as long as the Afghan Government requires it. To pull our troops out to early may leave a vacuum where terrorist groups may fill taking the whole process backwards.”
  Ivan Lewis (Labour Party)		agrees
  	“But this cannot be on a long term basis which is why we are investing so much in training an Afghan army and police force able to secure their own country. President Karzai must understand that this and politcal reform is non negotiable.”
  Victor D'Albert (Liberal Democrats)		agrees
  	“We need to finish the job, with the proviso that the current regime roots out corruption and retains legitimacy.”

• Britain spends too much money on foreign aid.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  George Heron (Green Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“We would increase aid to 1% GDP”
  Jean Purdy (British National Party)	strongly agrees
  	“We are giving aid to India, who can afford to spend money on space research and to China from whom we are also borrowing money”
  Valerie Morris (English Democrats Party)	strongly agrees
  	“Britain should come first any extra can then be used for aid.”
  Ivan Lewis (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“It is sad that in this election campaign very little attention is being given to this issue. Labour's record on aid and debt relief should be a source of pride to Britain. Without the leadership of successive Labour PM's there would be no MDGS”
  Victor D'Albert (Liberal Democrats)				disagrees

Answers by party

In many places, key candidates have refused to go on the record (and sometimes we've been unable to get in touch with them). As a poor substitute, you can see a rough version of how each party answers on average over at our partner site, Democracy Club.

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