This page contains the views of the MP candidates for Sheffield, Hallam on a wide range of issues

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

Stop press: 5 of your candidates haven't gone on the record!

Nigel James
(UK Independence Party - UKIP)

Nicola Bates
(Conservative Party)

David Wildgoose
(English Democrats Party)

Mark Adshead
(Official Monster Raving Loony Party)
because we couldn't contact them

Ray Green
(Christian Party - Proclaiming Christ's Lordship)
because we couldn't contact them

Let's start by looking at the local statements

(skip to national statements)

• Public funding should be found to make pavements safer for pedestrians, for example by lowering pavements, adding tactile areas and improving signage.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)		agrees
  	“I will consult my own electorate for their views on all local matters and act and vote at Westminster and the Local Council on their mandate”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“We need to make our streets safer for pedestrians in Sheffield Hallam.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)		agrees
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)	strongly agrees

• Abbeydale Grange School should not be closed.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)		agrees
  	“I will consult my own electorate for their views on all local matters and act and vote at Westminster and the Local Council on their mandate”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“AGS provides an excellent opportunity in a challenging environment. Also there is already pressure of school places in the South West of Sheffield and closing AGS will only add to this problem.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)				disagrees
  	“I believe it would be a betrayal of the aspirations of the pupils at Abbeydale Grange not to review the future of the school in order to secure the best possible education in Sheffield for them.”
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)	strongly agrees

• A new Tesco store should not be built in Commonside.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)		agrees
  	“I will consult my own electorate for their views on all local matters and act and vote at Westminster and the Local Council on their mandate”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“The new Tesco will damage the local shopping areas in Crookesmoor and Walkley. It will lead to less choice for local consumers.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)	strongly agrees
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)	strongly agrees

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
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)		agrees
  	“I believe the tax system needs a complete review to make it simpler and fairer. Higher paid workers including MP's should share more of a burden than currently”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“We need a fairer tax system which benefits the many. this requires some redistribution from the richest to the poorest.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)			is neutral
  	“Our tax proposals include the biggest tax switch in generations, a radical overhaul to make sure those at the top pay their fair share in order to put money back in the pockets of people who need it.”
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)	strongly agrees

• The British government interferes too much with business.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)	strongly agrees
  	“Uk Business will need to be the engine to drive us out of recession, the Government needs to support business not hamper it. I would support Government aid to bring new businesses to the UK to increase the tax potential”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)		agrees
  	“I support strong policies to promote small, medium sized enterprise to develop and grow. Many large corporations need more regulation to ensure that they are ethical and promote better environmental protection.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)		agrees
  	“The role of government is to create an environment that allows enterprise to flourish, acting as an enabler rather than a participant in its own right.”
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees

• 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
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)		agrees
  	“The longer we leave proactive action the more expensive it is going to become to change peoples habits”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“Climate change is one of the major issues facing the world in the 21st Century. We need to do everything we can to combat it.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)		agrees
  	“But not for the poorest; Liberal Democrats are committed to fair fuel bills.”
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)			is neutral
  	“Tackling climate change properly will result in lower energy bills”

• 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
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)		agrees
  	“I fear a growing social divide between the haves and the have nots we must address this to become a UNITED Kingdom.”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“We need to build a fairer society. If this country is more economically equal then many social problems will lessen.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)	strongly agrees
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)	strongly 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
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)			is neutral
  	“Neutral response is my way of saying HOLD spending at current levels and proetct front line jobs at all costs. Efficiencies can still be made and good business practice such as using buying power better must become common place.”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)		agrees
  	“If we reduce spending on public services at this time we could end up with an even deeper recession. Cutting public services will not make a more equal or fairer society.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)					strongly disagrees
  	“The current economic climate will require a degree of restraint in public sector spending as we work to bring down the deficit.”
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)		agrees

• 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
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)			is neutral
  	“State retirement support should be means tested. The Government should support those who need it most.”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)				disagrees
  	“The state needs to offer a fair pension to those who have given so much to building the economy.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)				disagrees
  	“Britain’s pensions system is one of the most complex and inadequate in the developed world. It provides neither a decent safety net, nor incentives to save.”
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees

• Immigration levels are too high.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)			is neutral
  	“I will consult my own electorate for their views on Immigration and act and vote at Westminster on their mandate”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)			is neutral
  	“We need to respect sanctuary and those escaping persecution in their home country.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)			is neutral
  	“Immigration has been too high in some parts of the country, which has stretched public services. In contrast, some areas want more people to help their economy grow.”
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees

• There are too many CCTV cameras in Britain.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)			is neutral
  	“I will consult my own electorate for their views on Immigration and act and vote at Westminster on their mandate”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)		agrees
  	“We are becoming surveillance Britain yet people feel even more insecure.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)		agrees
  	“We have less than one per cent of the world’s population but a fifth of the earth’s CCTV cameras.”
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees

• 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
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)		agrees
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)				disagrees
  	“Children can develop well in a variety of family arrangements.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)				disagrees
  	“Liberal Democrats attach real value to relationships, to commitment and to love, but do not seek to limit or prescribe what makes for a strong relationship.”
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)				disagrees
  	“It is love and care that provide the best environment in which to raise a child.”

• In general, politicians in Britain are honest.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)				disagrees
  	“Most Politicians may set off with honest intentions however I believe the Political Party system corrupts MP's to support the Party's objectives rather than the People and that is why there is so much distrust in politicians”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)				disagrees
  	“We have seen through the expenses scandal we need to reform Parliament and the actions of those who serve in it.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)			is neutral
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)		agrees

• 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
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)			is neutral
  	“I will consult my own electorate for their views on the Arts and act and vote at Westminster on their mandate”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)				disagrees
  	“The Government always needs to foster and develop culture and arts in this country.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)				disagrees
  	“The arts play a vital role in society, they can drive regeneration and can be crucial in helping with education and even fighting crime. So we want to move away from restrictive and bureaucratic targets for the arts.”
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)					strongly 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
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)			is neutral
  	“I will consult my own electorate for their views on the EU and act and vote at Westminster on their mandate”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)				disagrees
  	“We need to reform this international organisation but leaving it would be a huge economic mistake.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)					strongly disagrees
  	“Liberal Democrats believe that there should be an in/out referendum the next time a British Government signs up for fundamental change in the relationship between the UK and the EU.”
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)					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
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)			is neutral
  	“I will consult my own electorate for their views on all Military matters and act and vote at Westminster on their mandate”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)	strongly agrees
  	“We need to set an example and decommission our nuclear capability.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)				disagrees
  	“We oppose military action against Iran as it would only make a volatile situation worse, strengthening the hand of extremists against moderates.”
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)				disagrees
  	“The situation with Iran is almost entirely a proxy for the Israel-Palestine situation. This is where our attention needs to be focussed. I would never support action that was not explicitly authorised by the UN. This is also an issue where the EU has a significant role to play - another reason to be involved.”

• 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
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)			is neutral
  	“I will consult my own electorate for their views on all Military matters and act and vote at Westminster on their mandate”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)				disagrees
  	“We should remove our troops as soon as practicable.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)		agrees
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)		agrees
  	“Our troops are part of a multi-national, UN force and play a vital part. Leaving prematurely and in an unplanned way would weaken the UN - perhaps fatally - and strengthen a force that has no regard at all for human rights. That said, the final solution in Afghanistan will be a political one, but we will only get there if sufficient military support is provided.”

• Britain spends too much money on foreign aid.

  Select what YOU think to reveal their answers:	strongly agree	agree	neutral	disagree	strongly disagree
  Martin Fitzpatrick (Independent)			is neutral
  	“I will consult my own electorate for their views on all Mforiegn policy matters and act and vote at Westminster on their mandate”
  Steve Barnard (Green Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“we need to support developing countries as they are often suffering because of our economic or foreign policies.”
  Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats)				disagrees
  	“Liberal Democrats are committed to working towards a world free from poverty, inequality and injustice.”
  Jack Scott (Labour Party)					strongly disagrees
  	“Labour has tripled international aid. I am committed to raising this to 0.7% of GDP.”

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.

Comments (Facebook)

Other election sites you might like