The Lewisham East by-election is coming up this Thursday, June 14, with the eyes of the country focused on the south east London constituency.

We have asked the candidates from the five major parties their views on big talking points for the area and how they would improve lives for people living in Lewisham.

In the second part of our three-part series, we asked for their opinions on the Brexit, the environment and how to tackle crime.

Brexit

Janet Daby – Labour

I fought hard for Remain and I will continue to fight against the Tories' extreme Brexit which will be catastrophic for jobs and the economy in Lewisham East. I will do everything in my power to ensure that whatever happens, jobs and rights are protected.

Ross Archer – Conservative

Whether people voted to Leave or Remain they want to see a deal that works for the whole country, including us here in Lewisham East. That’s why the Conservative Government are working to secure the best possible Brexit deal. We are making good progress, guaranteeing citizen’s rights and finalising the majority of issues related to our withdrawal. But, there is still work to be done. The Labour candidate is working to frustrate the process, meaning we won’t be able to secure the smooth and orderly Brexit which will protect jobs and the economy here in Lewisham East.

Lucy Salek – Liberal Democrats

There should no longer be any doubt that we need to have a final vote on the deal with an option to remain. This government are making a mess out Brexit, a vote on the deal is the best way to clean this mess up.

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah – Green Party

Currently there are a lot of unfilled vacancies as it is hard to recruit doctors and this will only get worse when Brexit happens. The uncertainty is making business nervous about investment. The latest growth figures compared to the rest of the G7 sum up where we are. Poverty in Lewisham is very high, and it is these people who will pay the biggest price for a catastrophic Brexit. I am saddened it has divided the country and families across the U.K. and things are only going to get worse before they get any better. What is the Government going to do about Gibraltar? The Good Friday agreement?

David Kurten – UKIP

The people of the United Kingdom voted for a full Brexit in the referendum. This means leaving the EU, the Single Market and the Customs Union. Theresa May wants to keep us in a ‘Customs Partnership’ without end, which will keep us entangled in EU red tape and regulations for years to come and unable to enjoy the freedom and prosperity which Brexit will bring. Labour’s candidate wants to keep us in the Single Market and the Customs Union which is a betrayal of the British people. This is a betrayal of what the people voted for. Vote UKIP to reject Mrs. May’s fake Brexit.

Environment

Janet Daby – Labour

Poor air quality is a blight on our city and it is something that particularly affects the poorest in our society, and our kids. Sadiq Khan has made it his mission to clean up London’s toxic air with initiatives like the ULEZ, tree planting, and safe routes to schools. I will do all I can to support this agenda and make sure the air that we breathe is safe.

Ross Archer – Conservative

These are both issues that residents have raised with me on the doorstep. Air Pollution in Lewisham is six times above recommended guidelines and our recycling rates are half those of neighbouring Bromley. This is another area where Labour have failed Lewisham East. Together we can send a message to Labour, we need better recycling more trees and cleaner busses, so you and your family can live in a cleaner area breathing cleaner air.

Lucy Salek – Liberal Democrats

I am asthmatic myself, and I realised that the pollution in Lewisham had reached unacceptable proportions long before the Council or GLA admitted as much, as my asthma attacks became more regular. I am concerned the Mayor of London’s current plan for an Ultra Low Emission Zone cuts the constituency in half and many local families will not benefit directly from this policy, this is why the Liberal Democrats are campaigning to exclude polluting vehicles from our area and use the M25 as the zone’s boundary.

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah – Green Party

I have personally been directly affected by air pollution. My beloved daughter died some 5 years ago from one of the worst cases of asthma ever recorded. I have set up a charity in her memory and I campaign passionately for Clean Air. We can do far more about air pollution. A diesel scrappage scheme is just a start. If public transport were cheaper and better run even fewer people would drive. A lot of people would like to cycle but do not feel safe. Boroughs like mine in Lewisham need to introduce safe cycling lanes as soon as possible, and I would be leading the call from Parliament for investment to allow this.

David Kurten – UKIP

After Brexit, it is important to maintain environmental standards in the UK, and to uphold the Clean Air Act. UKIP opposes Tory and Labour plans for TTIP which would reduce environmental standards. We will not ban sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2040 as proposed by the government, as converting all vehicles to electric will require a doubling of National Grid capacity and is unlikely to happen. However, older petrol and diesel vehicles below Euro 6 standard can be phased out by then, leaving only clean vehicles on the road which meet clean air standards.

Crime

Janet Daby – Labour

This is another area where Tory cuts have had a devastating effect, both on police numbers but particularly on things like youth services. It is important that we tackle the root causes of crime and that means supporting our young people properly. I want proper funding for youth services and a focus on community policing so we can work together to make our streets safer.

Ross Archer – Conservative

The Labour Mayor of London has closed two of our three police stations, whilst finding the money to DOUBLE his budget for self-promotion - leaving people in Lewisham East less safe. It’s time to tell the Labour Mayor that he needs a serious plan to tackle violent crime, and only by voting Conservative on Thursday can you send him that message.

Lucy Salek – Liberal Democrats

Labour have let this community down choosing to cut police, community police, and youth services. The Liberal Democrats will fight for an increase of spending to restore community policing and the number of police on our streets. It’s so important that community services and centres are funded properly.

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah – Green Party

Firstly families must be supported very early on. What has happened to all the sure start initiatives? Any stop and search has to be genuinely targeted - what is the point in stopping young people randomly? We need more police who can be in the communities, building positive relationships. Having lost a child, one never gets over it and everything possible has to be done to solve this crisis. Young people need to feel they are loved, they matter and have a future. This is where schools can come in. A mentoring system is called for where young people can have regular contact with positive roles models.

David Kurten – UKIP

UKIP wants to reverse the Tory cuts to the police force which have cut it to the bone. We would put 20,000 more police officers on the street nationally to cut crime and allow them to do preventative policing once again. We will pay for it by cutting the bloated Foreign Aid budget. It is insane that we are paying for new police stations and police officers in Bangladesh, Uganda and Congo, put closing police stations in London. We will end politically correct policing and increase stop and search which is an essential tool in helping to prevent knife and gun crime which is currently spiralling out of control in London.