WITH the general election to determine our new government just weeks away, The Gazette takes a look at the six candidates vying to become the Member of Parliament for North East Hampshire.

Representatives from Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Green Party and UKIP will stand, along with an independent.

Incumbent Tory MP Ranil Jayawardena will attempt to defend his seat, which he first won after succeeding James Arbuthnot as MP for North East Hampshire. Here we take a brief look at those vying for your votes on June 8.

RANIL JAYAWARDENA, Conservative

I know that it’s a great privilege to be MP for North East Hampshire. So while we live in a great part of the country, I have been working to make our corner of the county even better.

As someone who grew up here, went to school here and lives here today with my young family, I care passionately about our area and our local services.

That’s why we need to lock in the economic progress we have made together - through Brexit and beyond - because we can only have strong public services with a strong economy to pay for them.

In the last two years, I’ve secured more funding for our local schools, local healthcare and local infrastructure.

With your support, you’ll be strengthening my hand to get the best deal for you, your family and our community - and you’ll be strengthening the Prime Minister’s hand in getting the best deal for Britain too.

GRAHAM COCKARILL, Liberal Democrats

MY family and I have lived in the area since the mid-1970s.

I have been a local councillor since 2001, serving on both Yateley Town Council and Hart District Council.

The Liberal Democrats are the only major party fighting for Britain’s place in Europe.

The Conservatives are pursuing the most destructive Brexit deal possible, which will take us out of the Single Market and risk millions of jobs.

We will give you the final say on the Brexit deal through a second referendum.

If elected to represent you as your MP, I will work hard to ensure that your voice is heard loud and clear at Westminster and I will fight for the resources this area needs to provide quality health and education services, secure more jobs and provide good quality, lowcost housing.

CHAS SPRADBERY, Greens

I have lived in North East Hampshire for just over 15 years and believe it is great place to live.

My vision for North East Hampshire is a pretty simple one - I want to keep our corner of Hampshire as beautiful and as wonderful a place to live in as it can possibly be.

The area has won countless ‘Best Place To Live’ awards in recent years but, with up to 10,000 new homes planned in the area it may not stay that way for long.

The area is a commuter hub, but increased car use and lack of public transport are leading to unsustainable levels of traffic and decreased air quality.

As for Brexit... whilst I accept the result of the referendum, I disagree with the extreme Brexit pursued by the Government and believe people should have a final say.

BARRY JONES, Labour

I have lived in North Hampshire for 37 years.

I worked as a chartered electronic and software engineer and career was in the design and provision of systems for aviation safety.

I have a long-standing interest in the improvement of transport facilities, having been a commuter by car and, by choice, public transport and am an active member of a local rail users’ group.

I am also a member of Rushmoor Borough Council.

The parts of Labour’s programme that are key to our area are protecting our public services; giving the NHS and the social care system the money they need so that care can be provided in the appropriate locations, from acute hospitals to the home; delivering good teaching in good schools for all our children, ensuring that schools are available where new population patterns have generated new needs; and ensuring that public transport provision matches the demand.

MIKE GASCOINGE, UKIP

I have lived in Blackwater for 40 years with my wife Fiona and we have raised our four children here.

I worked as a chemical engineer in the oil industry, then became a freelance technical author.

I am standing as a Parliamentary candidate because I believe the UK can be prosperous as an independent nation, free from the bureaucracy and control that comes from the European Union.

The Conservatives have both Leavers and Remainers within their party and we cannot be certain they will honour their promises about Brexit if they return to Parliament with an increased majority.

We need some UKIP members in Parliament because we are the only party where everybody is committed to leaving.

ROBERT BLAY, Independent

I’M 57, divorced with two teenage daughters.

I live in Hook. My career includes agricultural and financial services spending 10 years in the City of London.

I have an accounting and economics degree from Reading University and work as a legal consultant and accountant assisting clients with PIP tribunals and defending them when pursued by banks and debt collectors.

I have found myself disillusioned with the Tories and UKIP having played senior roles in both parties.

Voting Blay is a vote to keep the NHS in public ownership and reappraise all its contracts.