This page contains the views of the MP candidates for Salford and Eccles on a wide range of issues

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

Stop press: 4 of your candidates haven't gone on the record!

Norman Owen
(Liberal Democrats)

Duran O'Dwyer
(UK Independence Party - UKIP)

Tina Wingfield
(British National Party)
because we couldn't contact them

Matthew Sephton
(Conservative Party)

Let's start by looking at the local statements

(skip to national statements)

• The boundaries of Salford and west Eccles should be reviewed to better fit the geographical identity of the area.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees
  Richard Carvath (Independent)	strongly agrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)	strongly agrees
  	“The boundary changes have done a great disservice to all the people of Salford, Eccles and Swinton as well as those in Broughton and Kersal who are being moved into a Manchester constituency.”
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)	strongly agrees
  	“Even with the recent parliamentary changes 2 Salford Wards are now covered by Blackley M.P. Boundaries should reflect geographical areas.”

• There should be an elected mayor for Greater Manchester.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)		agrees
  Richard Carvath (Independent)					strongly disagrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)		agrees
  	“If it were based similar to the London model with an elected chamber of proportionally representative members then I would strongly support this - complimenting the existing boroughs and their councils.”
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“I believe that Salford should have an elected Mayor, they are answerable directly to the people and voted out if they fail, we should not have one for Greater Manchester Salford should be able to control its own affairs.”

• The maternity unit in Salford should be protected from closure.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)		agrees
  	“We will have a midwife-led unit at Salford Royal Hospital”
  Richard Carvath (Independent)	strongly agrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)	strongly agrees
  	“For many people in Salford having to travel to Bolton or Oxford Road is unreasonable. We NEED and DESERVE our own maternity ward and it should be saved at any cost.”
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)	strongly agrees
  	“The Maternity Unit fiasco was a shambles from start to finish, our MPs put their own interest first and not that of the people they are supposed to represent.”

• Salford Council should be funding the Salford Reds Rugby League Football club.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)			is neutral
  	“Salford Council are right to support the club in acquiring a new ground but the club funds itself”
  Richard Carvath (Independent)				disagrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)					strongly disagrees
  	“I do not believe the £300,000 loan to a privately owned entity is in the best interests of most local people. Weaste will also suffer due to the move. Money would better spent on public leisure services within the community.”
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)			is neutral
  	“I'am reluctant to spend tax payers money on anything other than essential services however it depends on what the Council tax payer gets out of it, some councils do fund local football teams but in return they go and spend time teaching at schools.”

• The council have provided smaller recycling bins by default and these should be replaced by larger bins.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“People should have a choice and many single people appreciate smaller bins”
  Richard Carvath (Independent)			is neutral
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)			is neutral
  	“There seems to be an inconsistency across the city around recycling. How many wheelie bins do we need? There needs to be a realistic strategy which encourages people to recycle rather than spreading resentment to recycling.”
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)	strongly agrees
  	“How can a council encourage people to recycle if they don't provide adequate facilities and how are they going to meet Government targets on recycling.”

• MediaCity alone isn't going to do enough to regenerate Salford and we need to look to central government for additional funding to encourage regeneration.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)			is neutral
  	“There is still a lot to do to regenerate places like Swinton and Eccles as well as parts of Salford”
  Richard Carvath (Independent)			is neutral
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)		agrees
  	“MediaCity is a niche development and we've seen it all before. The only jobs for local people are the construction site jobs, there is only one bus to the Quays and other areas are being neglected as a result.”
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“We have seen Salford council concentrate all its efforts on Media City whilst other shopping centres in Salford have suffered. Salford Council needs to be brought to task about looking after all areas of the City of Salford not just Media City.”

• There should be increased funding for more orbital bus routes in Greater Manchester.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)				disagrees
  	“We need more buses in the evenings and weekends especially on our estates”
  Richard Carvath (Independent)		agrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)	strongly agrees
  	“There should be far more orbital as well as cross-city and express bus services. It is a nightmare getting from Ordsall to Kersal, let alone from Irlam to Wythenshawe. We need to have a more integrated approach to as we've been promised for years.”
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)	strongly agrees
  	“I work in public transport and one thing that is always talked about is the missing orbital transport network to take cars of the motorway network.”

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
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)			is neutral
  Richard Carvath (Independent)				disagrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)	strongly agrees
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)		agrees

• The British government interferes too much with business.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)				disagrees
  Richard Carvath (Independent)		agrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)				disagrees
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)			is neutral
  	“The Government interferes to much with smaller businesses whilst allowing the larger companies to go unchecked as is the case with the Banks. Businesses need to be monitored but not restricted with red tape.”

• 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
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)				disagrees
  	“We need to increase insulation and energy efficiency to bring bills down especially for poorer people”
  Richard Carvath (Independent)					strongly disagrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)		agrees
  	“Energies suppliers should be brought back under national control so that profits can be diverted into public services rather than private hands. Public ownership would ensure bills are reasonable and affordable.”
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)				disagrees
  	“With the current economic climate lower earners are already struggling and may not be able to afford increases in energy bills. How about making items such as Solar panels and wind generators along with the installations all tax free.”

• 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
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)		agrees
  Richard Carvath (Independent)	strongly agrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)	strongly agrees
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)			is neutral
  	“Unequal to what?”

• 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
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)				disagrees
  	“We need to spend what we have wisely and effectively”
  Richard Carvath (Independent)					strongly disagrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)	strongly agrees
  	“We need to invest our way out of the recession by bolstering every aspect of the public sector to ensure people have decent homes, jobs, schools and healthcare.”
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)				disagrees
  	“Uncontrolled spending will help no one, we need to cut out the mismanagement and waste in all areas and get the spending back under control, after all the country is massively in debt.”

• 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
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)		agrees
  	“We should always encourage saving but also support those who have not had the chance to build up a private pension”
  Richard Carvath (Independent)			is neutral
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)					strongly disagrees
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)				disagrees
  	“Incentives should be given to help people make their own provisions, many already do whilst still paying into the system. Unless the government underwrites pensions then who would trust a large company nowadays, even large companies have collapsed.”

• Immigration levels are too high.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)			is neutral
  	“We need to make sure the points system operates properly so that people can only come here when their skills are needed”
  Richard Carvath (Independent)	strongly agrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)					strongly disagrees
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)	strongly agrees
  	“Look at it this way - when oil runs out would this island be able to provide enough food for its residents, the answer is no, we are reliant on imported food and are not self sufficient. we are the 3rd most densly populated country in the world.”

• There are too many CCTV cameras in Britain.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees
  Richard Carvath (Independent)	strongly agrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)	strongly agrees
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)			is neutral
  	“All depend what they are used for.”

• 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
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“Modern families come in all shapes and sizes. What matters most is loving, stable and mature relationships”
  Richard Carvath (Independent)	strongly agrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)					strongly disagrees
  	“As long as a child is loved and cared for, the identity of their parent or parents should not matter.”
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)		agrees
  	“Gives a balanced upbringing.”

• In general, politicians in Britain are honest.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)		agrees
  Richard Carvath (Independent)			is neutral
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)					strongly disagrees
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)				disagrees
  	“The latest expenses scandals have just highlighted how corrupt our current political system and politicians are. The E.U. and the politicians in Brussels is even worst.”

• 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
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees
  Richard Carvath (Independent)			is neutral
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)					strongly disagrees
  	“Arts, Culture and Heritage provide valuable social education for everybody and we must ensure they continue to do so.”
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)				disagrees
  	“The Arts do bring in some revenue but they also look after our heritage which needs to be protected.”

• 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
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees
  Richard Carvath (Independent)	strongly agrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)				disagrees
  	“There are problems with the undemocratic Lisbon Treaty which we were promised a referendum on, keeping close links with our international neighbours is important and having a voice within the European Union is a good way for Britain to be heard.”
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)	strongly agrees
  	“Pull out of the corrupt political system whilst remaining part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is a must this wouls save this country over £50 billion a year.”

• 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
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees
  Richard Carvath (Independent)				disagrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)	strongly agrees
  	“We did not take military action against other nations (India, Pakistan, North Korea) for doing the same. We'd be inviting the hostilities we need to avoid. Diplomacy is the only answer.”
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)				disagrees
  	“We should only support military action if part of a U.N. backed coalition force. Stop being the U.S. lap dog”

• 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
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)			is neutral
  	“Troops should come home when security can be transferred to the Afghan forces and police”
  Richard Carvath (Independent)		agrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)					strongly disagrees
  	“We have no business being in Afghanistan, we need to bring our troops home and offer other types of aid to the new Afghanistan Government which do not require warfare.”
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)		agrees
  	“We should stay as long as the Afghan government and its people wishes it. Pulling out to early could cause even more problems for Afghanistan.”

• Britain spends too much money on foreign aid.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Hazel Blears (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees
  Richard Carvath (Independent)				disagrees
  David Henry (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)					strongly disagrees
  	“Britain should be proud to be a beacon of international unity, this nation has a lot we can mutually offer to those in need which we must never turn our backs upon.”
  Stephen Morris (English Democrats Party)	strongly agrees
  	“To many areas of England require assistance, our taxes should be used here first.”

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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