Name: Sashi Mylvaganam.

Age: 66.

Education background: I’m an economics graduate and I am a chartered accountant.

Profession before becoming an MP: I was a qualified chartered account and went into industry as a finance director for public and private companies, I've had 30+ years in the industry.

Family life: I've been married for 41 years. We’ve got two grown-up children, both are married. One is a chartered accountant and the other is an environmental economist.

What car do you drive? I drive a Kia Sportage. It is economical and it is good value for money more than anything else – I am an accountant after all!

Where did you last go on holiday? We were in Cape Town, we went there in March. Our son works in Botswana so we go out there for 2 weeks.

What was the last thing you ate? Porridge, this morning for breakfast.

Have you ever taken illegal drugs? No, never.

When was the last time you cried? I think it was when my mother passed away, about 10-12 years ago.

What is your favourite book of all time? It was a pocket book about someone who was able to predict the way the world political cycle would go. World politics always goes in cycles, he fundamentally predicted it. I'm not particularly a bookworm but if I find something that I would read through then it makes sense.

What are you ties to the area you hope to represent? I have been connected through the party. I live in Surrey Heath. I was given the opportunity to stand in Basingstoke by the party so I took it.

What’s your favourite restaurant in Basingstoke? I haven’t really been to any restaurants so I can’t really answer that question. I am sure I am going to do that soon. The Portsmouth Arms is my favourite pub, the food and ambience is very nice, I've been there many times.

Where do you do your food shopping? Normally at Waitrose or Tesco. Both of them are good value for money.

Describe your perfect Friday night: I’d have dinner with my wife at home. I socialise at weekends, but Fridays are at home.

What’s your favourite drink? My favourite tipple is a glass of scotch. I drink bitter in the pubs. Laphroaig is my favourite, it’s a single malt.

Best place in Hampshire in your opinion? I am beginning to like Basingstoke a lot, it’s got lots of green spaces. It is easy to commute.

Do you think MPs should be allowed to hire their family members? No. It’s a conflict of interest. I would absolutely uphold it, I am a stickler for the rules.

In a sentence, why do you deserve the gig? I believe that I can serve the community best because I believe that we should remain in the EU and it would bring lots of benefits to the local communities in Basingstoke, financially and socially it would be tremendous.

What do you think the biggest issue facing residents of Basingstoke is? I think there are transport issues in Basingstoke, and a lack of affordable housing, and of course the massive environmental impact. Of course there’s crime, a lack of policing and a lack of NHS and proper fully equipped and staffed hospitals.

In a sentence, what do you want to change if you are elected? We will fight to get adequate staff for the hospital, increase the budget for education, making it affordable for most kids, increase community policing and ensure that we meet all of our climate change obligations.

The manifesto

Releasing the Liberal Democrat's manifesto, leader Jo Swinson has vowed to stop Brexit and tackle climate change. Some of the key promises include:

  • Revoking Article 50 to stop Brexit
  • Putting the £50 billion 'Remain bonus' they say that will generate to fund public priorities
  • Accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, hoping to generate 80 per cent of electricity via green means by 2030.
  • Reduce VAT on insulation for homes
  • Legalise cannabis
  • Fund a £7 billion boost to the NHS by adding a penny to income tax
  • 35 hours of free childcare for children aged two to four, or from nine months for working parents
  • You can read more about the Lib Dem's manifesto here.

You can hear more from all of the candidates for December's General Election in the Gazette's Election Special, out this Thursday!