With polling day for the 2024 General Election looming ever closer, Nub News is asking local candidates where they stand on key issues in Twickenham.

These articles will be published throughout the week to help keep voters informed before they reach the ballot box on Thursday 4 July.

Today, Thursday 27 June, we asked our candidates about their plans for education in the borough, as well as what changes they would make to social care provisions and how they would tackle the area's shortage of pharmacies if elected.

Jonathan Hulley – Conservatives

Education

"We need to continue the laser focus on improving educational outcomes. A Labour Government is likely to surrender to the unions, reduce Ofsted monitoring, and ditch exam league tables, thereby reducing exam performance and the life chances of millions of children. 

"I also say no to Labour's tax grab on independent school fees."

Social care

"I am committed to introducing the £86,000 cap on social care costs and increasing the means-tested threshold for state support to £100,000. I also want to see multi-year funding settlements for local governments to invest in local care."

Pharmacy shortage

"Pharmacies are under pressure as they now have online competition, and rather than just using taxpayers' money to subsidise pharmacies further, the Government has rolled out Pharmacy First, where pharmacists diagnose and treat a wider range of ailments, freeing up GPs' time in return for a new revenue stream.

"This scheme benefits patients, pharmacists, and taxpayers, and I will advocate its expansion into a wider range of ailments."

Alexander Starling – Reform

Education

"Forgive me for spinning this question around: the role of government is to provide a stable backdrop and a resilient economy so that we as a nation can ensure that the infrastructure is there for young people to be able to pursue a fulfilling and rewarding educational journey so that they can fulfil their potential as adults.

"However, as Dr Tim Morgan wrote in 2013: 'the economy is a surplus energy equation, not a monetary one'. The so-called 'green' policies being pushed by all the main parties are ignoring this hard truth. 

"If we change tack (away from 'net zero') now, we can put the current imbalances right, which will free up more resources for individuals – and the nation – to invest in their education."

Social care

"My parents are struggling with care provision, and a problem is highly restrictive rules on what caregivers can or can't do. 

"Currently, rules mean that a single carer is not allowed to assist my father if he has fallen, even if this can be done entirely safely. Where is the logic in that? Apparently it is because on occasions malicious claims are made. 

"I would look to ensure that rules (and if necessary the law) are simplified such that carers – if acting in good faith – are always protected from such nefarious 'lawfare'."

Pharmacy shortage

"I will do what I can to advocate for all constituents and encourage businesses to support constituents! 

"If it is uneconomic to have a pharmacy, then we will need to work on a community solution."

Munira Wilson – Liberal Democrats

Education

"I spend a lot of time talking to pupils, headteachers and school governors in Twickenham about the challenges they're facing. 

"I want to help schools and colleges address these challenges by putting a dedicated mental health professional in every school, extending free school meals to all children in poverty, increasing school and college funding per pupil above the rate of inflation every year, and tackling the scandal of crumbling school buildings."

Social care

"I've met with a lot of unpaid carers in our community and we have great organisations locally, like Homelink in Whitton, who do incredible work. 

"But there's no doubt that social care is in crisis, which is why I've campaigned for greater support for kinship carers, and why I believe we should introduce free personal care, so that no one is forced to sell their home to fund care."

Pharmacy shortage

"I've been fighting for better pharmacy provision since local closures left Hampton North without a single pharmacy, meeting with Boots and NHS leaders, and working with local councillors to find alternatives, including speaking with local retailers and GP surgeries about pharmacy provision. 

"I've also called on Health Ministers in Parliament to do more to get community pharmacies on a sustainable financial footing."

Our final Quick Qs for Candidates article will be published tomorrow, Friday 28 June, and will cover the all-important issue of Heathrow night flights, along with local representation in national government.

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