ELECTION candidates have been chosen for Brentwood & Ongar and are vying for your votes - find out who they are and what they stand for here. 

In the videos below the candidates tell us why they should be elected as MP for on May 7.

The candidates are: 

  • Reza Hossain Green Party
  • David Kendall Liberal Democrats
  • Michael McGough UK Independence Party (UKIP)
  • Eric Pickles Conservative Party
  • Liam Preston Labour Party
  • Robin Tilbrook English Democrats

Brentwood Live: Eric Pickles - Conservative Party

I am here to be a strong voice for the people of Brentwood and Ongar. No matter how you vote, I will always stand up for you. In a world of uncertainty, I will continue to work for our economic stability and safety.

As the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government I introduced 'Florrie's Law' limiting major repair costs for Council leaseholders.

I will continue to work in Brentwood and Ongar for:

• The roll out of Superfast Broadband which is vital for communication and the growth of local business.
• More vocational education opportunities, and rising standards in our schools.
• Excellent communication about Crossrail, to ensure minimal disruption during the major works programme
• Allowing local communities to be in charge of planning and development control
• Efficient and timely healthcare interventions for those in need.
• Righting individual injustices on behalf of local residents who have contacted me asking for help”
 

Brentwood Live: David Kendall - Liberal Democrats

“I have lived and worked in Brentwood for over 25 years and established a strong reputation for being a very active Borough and County Councillor and campaigning hard on the issues that really matter to local residents. Fighting to get the street lights switched back on, opposing plans to cut school crossing patrols and calling for faster repairs to potholes and footpaths are just some of the many issues I’ve been involved in.

"I own and operate a small business in the heart of the constituency so I know what it’s like to have a proper job away from the “Westminster bubble”. Working locally I have a good understanding of the issues that really concern local residents.

"I now want to take my years of experience as a local councillor, campaigner and small businessman onto the national stage and be a champion for all the residents of Brentwood & Ongar."

Brentwood Live: Michael McGough - UK Independence Party (UKIP)

I am passionate about freedom and democracy and I believe government should be as close as possible to the people. I believe that our membership of the European Union is undemocratic, costly and restricts our ability to participate in global free trade.  It is a millstone around our necks.

We should leave the EU and use the millions saved here ; give an extra £3 billion to the NHS to keep it free at the point of need. We must stop unlimited immigration , remove tax on the lowest paid and invest in affordable energy to stop blackouts and lower charges.

Local people should have priority for social housing and more homes should be built ; but not on green belt. Bedroom and Mansion taxes are unfair.

We should reduce the £12bn of foreign aid to cut austerity here whilst still helping to provide water and fight disease.

Brentwood Live: Liam Preston - Labour Party

I believe the focus of government should be ensuring a strong economic foundation. 
That is why Labour will balance the books and cut the deficit every year with none of our manifesto commitments requiring additional borrowing.

Central to achieving this is higher living standards for working families. 

So we will ban exploitative zero-hours contracts, raise the minimum wage to £8 and provide 25 hours free childcare a week.

Labour believes in an NHS with the time to care. 

We will join up services from home to hospital, guaranteeing GP appointments within 48 hours and cancer tests within one week. Investing in 20,000 more nurses and 8,000 more GPs.

We need to have better controls on immigration. 

As such people who come here won’t be able to claim benefits for at least two years and we will introduce fair rules making it illegal for employers to undercut wages by exploiting workers.