European Parliament Elections: East of England Parties say why you should vote for them

Here is what they said:

The Brexit Party

On May 23, every citizen gets a chance to publicly voice their opinion. Those who voted to leave the EU three years ago have been called racists, xenophobic, Islamophobic and unreasoned, over-emotional bigots. A vote for The Brexit Party is our chance, once again, to state clearly that we still want to leave the EU: threats and insults cannot intimidate us or change our minds.

It is understandable that many may feel utterly dejected about the democratic process and those who govern our country. We may be tempted to flick a metaphorical V sign at the institutions which govern us and to withdraw into our own shells; never to vote again.

This would be a catastrophic mistake and a huge opportunity lost. The elections are about more than the EU. On May 23 we have a chance, once again, to tell our political class that democracy matters to us. Who our government is accountable to - Brussels or British citizens – matters. Bonds of trust between Government and public matter. Established parties have failed to respect our vote and have lost our trust.

There is only one party that is wholly committed to enacting the majority decision to leave – that is The Brexit Party. Our candidates are from all walks of life, and have varied political beliefs and experience – but our commitment to the central principle of democracy unites us. That is why all democrats, irrespective of how you voted in the referendum, should vote for The Brexit Party.

• Brexit Party London candidate Alka Sehgal-Cuthbert

The Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats' East of England European Parliament candidates

Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to stop Brexit and stay in the European Union. We passionately believe that Britain is stronger as part of the EU and we have led the fight to give the people the final say on Brexit.

Our vision for Britain is a country that is at the heart of a dynamic European Union, where everyone can afford somewhere to live, in a safe, clean neighbourhood.

Where high-quality health and social care, good-quality childcare, lifelong education, reliable transport and clean air are all part of a contract between government and citizens.

Taking on entrenched power and privilege and delivering a fair deal for everyone.

The importance of our membership of the European Union has never been clearer. Brexit puts so much at risk – the NHS, public services, jobs across the country, peace in Northern Ireland, the unity of the UK and our global reputation.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

We can stop Brexit through a People’s Vote, and remain a leading force in the European Union, shaping its future with our MEPs sitting at the table.

Instead of letting Brexit consume the next decade, let’s focus on tackling climate change, building the best health and education systems in the world and tackling the inequalities that limit life chances for so many.

Working together, it is possible to build a brighter future for everyone and create a fair, free and open society: a united country in a united Europe.

Independent - Attila Csordas

Attila here, a longevity biologist, start-up founder and philosopher, based in Cambridge, standing as an independent MEP candidate in the East of England Region.

The ongoing divisive political situation is stress-testing the health of potentially every resident in the UK. In this country, life expectancy unexpectedly dropped in the last couple of years. The bulk of the decline has been for older adults. Biological ageing is responsible for the majority of chronic diseases and deaths these days. Time is not working for us and current political times are working against us.

The upside? We can fix both, prioritise healthy longevity as a top political goal.

This is this possible because a scientific breakthrough has been reached in the past few decades in terms of understanding the major processes behind biological ageing. Interventions are under development to counteract and minimise age-associated functional decline.

In order to accelerate biomedicine, this innovation should be enabled further by political innovation.

What can we do in the European Union to advance healthy longevity for all?

1. Provide 30 billion euros, yearly, out of the EU budget, to develop effective medicines against age-associated diseases.

2. Set up a coordinated European Institute for Healthy Longevity Research.

3. Transparent, dynamic, enabling regulation.

4. Accessible longevity education programmes for everybody.

The health of the planet and the economy should be backed up by robust individual health. If you vote for me, I will be in a position to unite us in enabling biomedicine to provide a more healthy life.

to flourish for current and future generations.

• Attila Csordas is an Independent candidate

The Labour Party

Labour is fighting to end austerity, invest in communities, protect our public services, and ensure that those with the broadest shoulders pay their fair share.

As your Labour MEP I have a track record of fighting for Hertfordshire in the European Parliament.

I have voted for more research funding, for local investment and to improve working conditions for people on zero hours contracts.

I spoke out in the Parliament Chamber in support of McDonald’s workers from Watford.

In the European Parliament I am Labour’s spokesperson for the economy and a key animal welfare campaigner. I recently presented an 8 million signature petition to the United Nations in New York on the topic of animal-free cosmetic testing.

Across Hertfordshire I support local charities and events and am a patron of St Albans charity the Crescent and a trustee of Show Racism the Red Card.

For as long as Britain is in the European Union we need British MEPs standing up for the people of Hertfordshire.

I voted Remain in the referendum and nothing has changed my mind since then - I believe the best deal we can have with the EU is the one we have at the moment - membership.

I am delighted to head a strong team of Euro candidates. We will fight for local investment, action on climate change and cracking down on tax dodgers.

• Alex Mayer is a Labour MEP for the East of England

The English Democrats

The English Democrats are the only English nationalist party and we are for a fully independent nation state.

We are the only party who is actually doing anything practical that could make Brexit a realty by bringing Judicial Review proceedings to get the High Court to Declare that we left on the 29th March. It’s about our case that the retired Lord Justice of Appeal, Sir Richard Aitkins, has commented that it is “strongly arguable”!

The English Democrats launched in 2002 and are the only campaigning English nationalist Party.

We campaign for a referendum for Independence for England; for St George’s Day to be England’s National holiday; for Jerusalem to be England’s National Anthem; to leave properly and fully the EU; for an end to mass immigration; for the Cross of St George to be flown on all public buildings in England; and we supported a yes vote for Scottish Independence.

The English Democrats are England’s answer to the Scottish National Party and to Plaid Cymru.

The English Democrats’ greatest electoral successes to date include:- in the 2004 EU election we had 130,056 votes; winning the directly elected executive mayoralty of Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council in 2009 and also the 2012 mayoralty referendum; in the 2009 EU election we gained 279,801 votes after a total EU campaign spend of less than £25,000; we won the 2012 referendum which gave Salford City an Elected Mayor; in 2012 we also saved all our deposits in the Police Commissioner elections and came second in South Yorkshire; and in the 2014 EU election we had 126,024 votes for a total campaign spend of about £40,000 (giving the English Democrats by far the most cost efficient electoral result of any serious Party in the UK!).

In the 2015 General Election we had the eighth largest contingent of candidates in England. In the October 2016 Batley & Spen, Westminster parliamentary, by-election we came second and easily beat all three British national parties. In the 2017 Greater Manchester Mayoral election we came fifth, beating UKIP and beat the Greens in all but two boroughs. In the 2018 South Yorkshire Mayoral election we had 14,547 votes and saved our deposit and with a minimal campaign budget achieving 12.8 per cent of the First Preference votes in Doncaster.

• Robin Tilbrook

The Conservative Party

We fully understand and share the exasperation of our citizens with the current situation.We expected Britain to leave the EU on March 29 and are disappointed that Westminster has so far failed to implement the democratic instruction of the electorate.

Why has it proved so difficult?

The Government is trying to square the circle. We want to regain control of our laws and our borders, have the freedom to make our own global trade and other relationships, and stop the wasteful annual transfer of huge funds to the EU. At the same time we want to ensure frictionless travel, supply chains, and trade with the European continent and maintain the cohesion of our precious United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Resolving this conundrum has so far proved difficult, but the Government is determined to deliver such an orderly Brexit that serves our long-term national interest.

We get it. We don’t need more messages.

As your Conservative MEPs, John Flack and I go to Brussels to speak up for Britain and the interests of the East of England in particular. We are not there to promote the EU.

I believe we have an excellent record of serious, hard work on your behalf across all the key policy areas, helping improve legislation and promoting a strong, decent, common sense image of Britain that is so valued across Europe, in the United States, in Asia and globally - helping build all-important future relationships. MEPs also have the final vote on whatever Brexit agreement is reached and we don’t want this torpedoed at the last stretch.

So the real significance of the European Elections is who you want to represent you in Brussels, for however long we are there. I hope you will give Conservatives your support on May 23.

• Geoffrey Van Orden MEP