In the final days before the election, we asked our election candidates five very important questions.
We asked each one the same five questions which addressed child safety, youth clubs, sports provisions, and what they would do on day one.
Residents of Basingstoke have a choice of six candidates to cast their vote for. Dame Maria Miller has represented the constituency since 2005. She is standing again for the Conservatives.
The former culture secretary is being contested by Luke Murphy (Labour), Raymond Saint (Independent), Michael Howard-Sorrell (Green Party), Alan Harvey Stone (Hampshire Independents) and Richard Whelan (Liberal Democrats).
READ MORE: All six candidates standing for election in Basingstoke
Maria Miller, Conservative
What would you and your party do to protect children online?
Online abuse and harmful content have devastating consequences for society. I have met with parents who have lost their children because of failure to regulate this rapidly changing space. I have worked for over a decade to get better protections for children online and pushed the Government to create new laws, that for the first time hold large social media companies legally responsible for keeping users especially children in the UK safe online, as well as creating new criminal offences and introducing unlimited fines. To keep us all safe, laws must keep pace with the ever-changing online world.
A recent study has shown that almost 2,000 children's centres have closed down in the UK since 2010. What facilities would you like to open in this constituency, and how would you fund them?
Rather than simply opening new facilities, we need to make sure that our existing community groups, organisations and local facilities are funded and equipped to continue their excellent work.
We are lucky to have hundreds of community groups and facilities, many of which provide excellent support for families including Home Start, our superb nurseries and brilliant childminders.
Listening to local families, I know that some of the most valuable support they received has been through their health visitors. I will continue to press for vital services like health visitors to support Basingstoke families.
Other facilities, like sports pitches and swimming pools have also been in decline since 2010 - what could be done locally to encourage the next generation of Olympians and future Euros stars?
Sport and leisure activities are one of the top priorities for Basingstoke residents. We have seen significant investment in sports and recreation facilities over the last 15 years, such as the Everest Community Academy Sports Centre, a synthetic pitch & ground upgrade to the Winklebury FA football complex.
More investment is on its way with a new swimming pool funded & agreed at the Leisure Park and £400,000 to improve local football pitches following the closure of the Camrose.
The best way to encourage future Olympians is to encourage everyone to get more active and break barriers to accessing and enjoying sports and outdoor spaces.
Which unique feature is this area's greatest unsung asset? And how would you use it to improve the local economy?
Our people are Basingstoke’s greatest unsung assets. One of the reasons that Basingstoke is such a great place to live is our strong sense of community and the warm welcome it offers to all who come to our town. That is why we are home to so many different nationalities, with approximately 110 different languages spoken by pupils in our borough.
Our difference and diversity is our strength and key to success, visitors come from far and wide to follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen or to join in the annual Winter Party or see performances from Nupura School of Arts and in turn support our local economy.
If elected, what local change will you make on day 1?
Regardless of who takes the reins of power, I will press the Health Secretary to recommit to ensuring our new hospital doors will open by 2032. I have been working hard for years to ensure our Hospital is part of the new hospital programme. Funding has been secured, the public consultation is complete and we are weeks away from a final design being agreed.
Progress is being made and once complete, this hospital will deliver world-class healthcare for Basingstoke for generations. Not only will this boost hospital care, it will also improve GP services by better-integrating hospital and GP care.
Luke Murphy, Labour
What would you and your party do to protect children online?
Children in Basingstoke deserve to be safe wherever they are, including online. That’s why Labour has repeatedly urged the government to take tougher action and stop delaying critical protections in the Online Safety Act.
A Labour government will prioritise the implementation of tough new laws to protect children from being bombarded with seriously harmful online content. We will prohibit the use of algorithms and online business models that bombard young people with harmful content on topics like suicide and self-harm.
The Conservative government dropped plans to outlaw "legal but harmful" online content, as well as proposals to hold platforms like Facebook and Instagram liable for significant financial penalties for violating regulations. Labour will impose tough new criminal sanctions on those who promote harmful content, as well as establish a new ombudsman to resolve cases.
A recent study has shown that almost 2,000 children's centres have closed down in the UK since 2010. What facilities would you like to open in this constituency, and how would you fund them?
High-quality early education and childcare is a crucial opportunity to transform life chances. Too often it is unavailable, or unaffordable. I’ve heard from residents, community groups, and parents about the damage that has been done due to the closure of so many children’s centres over the past 14 years.
As an initial step, Labour will open an additional 3,000 nurseries through upgrading space in primary schools, to deliver the extension of government-funded hours families are entitled to. Labour will also fund free breakfast clubs in every primary school, accessible to all children.
Supporting children in the early part of their lives also means giving parents the flexibility they need to care for their children. Labour will review the parental leave system, so it best supports working families, within our first year in government. Every child should have a loving, secure home.
Labour has also committed to introducing a new Young Futures programme with a network of hubs reaching every community. These hubs will have youth workers, mental health support workers, and careers advisers on hand to support young people’s mental health.
This will all be funded by removing tax loopholes for private schools and by closing further non-dom tax loopholes.
Other facilities, like sports pitches and swimming pools have also been in decline since 2010 - what could be done locally to encourage the next generation of Olympians and future Euros stars?
The Conservatives do not understand that learning continues outside the classroom. The closure of leisure centres, youth services, and sports clubs has stripped opportunities away from our children. As has the loss of the Camrose to the football club here in Basingstoke, and the completely unacceptable neglect of our ice rink.
I will continue to support Basingstoke Town Football Club so that it has a permanent home, where it is in control of its own destiny, and can grow, and thrive. I will always act to support the best interests of our club and its supporters. I am also very committed to making sure we keep the ice rink and Bisons in Basingstoke.
Since being selected as the candidate, I've met with the users group and joined their protest outside the council offices and I'll do all that I can, working with them and the local council, to ensure we keep it here. We’ve already seen the talent that has come out of Basingstoke whether on the football field or on the ice, and I want to see that continue.
Which unique feature is this area's greatest unsung asset? And how would you use it to improve the local economy?
The Top of Town is an unsung Basingstoke asset that has been neglected for too long.
High streets have a special place in British life, but under the Tories they have become run down and half-empty. Too many shops, pubs, and cafes – the small businesses that are the backbone of our economy – have had to close their doors due to rising costs and declining footfall, with many more struggling to stay open. And failing high streets attract young people without somewhere to go.
I’m committed to working with residents, local businesses, the council, and a new government to breathe new life into our high street. A Labour government will replace business rates with a new system of business property taxation to support small independent businesses and level the playing field between our high streets and online giants.
People won’t visit the Top of Town if it is blighted by unsightly boarded up shops. Labour will give communities a strong new ‘right to buy’ beloved community assets to revamp high streets and end the blight of empty premises.
People should also feel safe when they go out to shop, eat, or have fun in the Top of Town. Labour will get 13,000 more neighbourhood police and PCSOs back on our streets and scrap the Tories’ £200 rule which stops shoplifting being investigated. A thriving Top of Town needs banking services for local businesses and customers. Labour will roll out banking hubs to guarantee face-to-face banking in every community boosting local high streets and shops.
5. If elected, what local change will you make on day 1?
Basingstoke is a fantastic town, and the UK a brilliant country, and Labour is ambitious for the future, but right now we’re being held back by a local MP who can’t deliver on her promises and a Government which has run out of ideas, is dominated by internal division, and is running out of road. It doesn’t have to be this way.
From day one I will change the way that Basingstoke is represented. I will be a visible and accessible local constituency MP, living here, and taking up your issues and serving with decency and integrity.
Michael Howard-Sorrell, Green
What would you and your party do to protect children online?
The Green Party is committed to protecting children online through the introduction of a Digital Bill of Rights. This comprehensive legislation aims to ensure the independent regulation of social media platforms, providing enhanced protection for young users. Key measures include enforcing stringent age verification processes, reducing exposure to harmful content, and giving the public greater control over their personal data. By addressing issues such as foreign interference in elections and the influence of social media, the Digital Bill of Rights will safeguard democratic processes while prioritising the safety and privacy of children in the digital age. This initiative will be developed through an inclusive public dialogue to ensure robust and effective solutions.
A recent study has shown that almost 2,000 children's centres have closed down in the UK since 2010. What facilities would you like to open in this constituency, and how would you fund them?
The closure of children's centres is a significant concern. The Green Party plans to open and expand essential community facilities. We aim to reopen children’s centres that provide crucial services such as childcare, parenting classes and health support, which are vital for early childhood development and family wellbeing.
In addition, we propose creating multi-use community hubs that offer a range of services, including mental health support, adult education and other social activities. These hubs will serve as accessible spaces for all age groups, fostering community cohesion and providing valuable resources. As outlined in the Green Party’s 2024 manifesto, "We will invest £5 billion over five years in local government spending on arts, sports, and culture to fund keeping local museums, theatres, libraries, and art galleries open and thriving, which can be part of multi-use community hubs”.
Funding for these initiatives will be sourced by reallocating existing budgets, implementing fairer taxes on the wealthiest individuals and large corporations, and forming public-private partnerships. By empowering local authorities with the necessary resources and autonomy, we can ensure the effective development and maintenance of these vital community services
Other facilities, like sports pitches and swimming pools have also been in decline since 2010 - what could be done locally to encourage the next generation of Olympians and future Euros stars?
The Green Party is committed to reversing the recent trend of closures and privatisation in our local leisure centres and bringing them back under local control and increasing budgets for local authorities. By prioritising long-term service over short-term profit, we can ensure that these facilities are maintained and accessible to everyone in the community.
To nurture future sports stars, we propose a comprehensive investment in local sports facilities, including refurbishing existing pitches and pools and building new ones where needed. We would also support community-led sports programs and provide grants to
local clubs to make sports more accessible to all children. Funding would come from a combination of local government budgets, national sports grants and partnerships with private sponsors.
By bringing leisure centres back into local control and making targeted investments in sports facilities, we can provide the necessary support to develop young talent and foster a thriving sports culture in our community. This approach not only promotes physical activity and healthy lifestyles but also ensures that our young people have the opportunities they need to excel in sports and reach their full potential.
Which unique feature is this area's greatest unsung asset? And how would you use it to improve the local economy?
The area of the world in and around Basingstoke contains beautiful countryside, unique habitats and significant natural capital. We don’t have enough access to much of this countryside due to poor public transport links, particularly affecting those without vehicles. Whilst we’re lucky enough to be able to walk to some nearby areas such as Farleigh Wallop and Basingstoke Common, even a little further afield can be too far for some.
To capitalise on these assets, improving public transport and cycling infrastructure is essential. Enhanced transport links will make it easier for tourists to visit and explore the region. Investing in cycling paths can attract eco-conscious travellers and promote sustainable tourism. Working with charities such as the Ramblers to ensure pathways are well documented and maintained will be another key step towards promoting the use of these beautiful landscapes.
By protecting our natural resources and enhancing infrastructure, we can ensure that the beauty of our area is preserved whilst still being shared with visitors, stimulating economic growth through increased tourism. This balanced approach will help sustain the local environment and economy for future generations.
If elected, what local change will you make on day 1?
MPs don’t control anything directly, so if elected I wouldn’t suddenly have the power to change anything currently broken locally. The single change I would make would be to step down as a Councillor, as I wouldn’t be comfortable holding a second role. I would also like to see a change from the previous MP in that I would make sure to be as visible as possible, opening up a central office and taking weekly meetings in each and every ward across the constituency so people wouldn’t need to travel to see me. I would also commit to greater than required transparency around my financial situation, as I believe that MPs benefit from a poor system of financial declarations which affords them the ability to hide from proper scrutiny.
Alan Harvey Stone - Hampshire Independents
What would you and your party do to protect children online?
NetNanny and other software systems are very useful, they can assist with restricting very young children. These systems should be made available via all network providers. The only way to totally control what children do online is to remove all their devices. That is totally impractical and not going to happen, so good education for children and parents on internet protocols is paramount.
A recent study has shown that almost 2,000 children's centres have closed down in the UK since 2010. What facilities would you like to open in this constituency, and how would you fund them?
It is Hampshire Independents policy that any elected local councillor would donate their council allowance to the local community. Empowering and funding community centres to provide social care, community nurses and child care. We would want to assist these community projects navigate the horrendous red tape that restricts people from volunteering. Youth centres and sports clubs have been on the decline because of increased legislation. We believe that the local community has the skills and enthusiasm to run child and youth clubs.
Other facilities, like sports pitches and swimming pools have also been in decline since 2010 - what could be done locally to encourage the next generation of Olympians and future Euros stars?
It all begins at school. Schools need to encourage and reward sporting achievement. Inter-school competitive sports will encourage private-sector sponsorship. More money going to schools for sponsorship will encourage schools to invest in their sporting future. We must also insist school playing fields never get sold off for development.
Which unique feature is this area's greatest unsung asset? And how would you use it to improve the local economy?
Basingstoke's best asset is its people, they are bloody brilliant, a full mix of assorts that blend in and mix well, supporting them to support each other would be a legacy i would be proud to leave.
If elected, what local change will you make on day 1?
As an Independent candidate fighting in what is practically a two-party race, the first thing i would do if elected would be to introduce proportional representation. The first-past-the-post system is totally biased and unfair.
Richard Whelan - Liberal Democrats
What would you and your party do to protect children online?
We support the Online Safety Act
We would go and make sure that parents had full parental control of websites but we'd also shut down websites that are likely to harm children. I think most of that is in the provision of the Online Safety Act, as long as it is implemented in full.
A lot of these websites are done abroad, it's not just a British thing - it's international. So work is needed internationally to keep our children safe and make sure these things are shut down.
Another issue now is AI, it's the kind of thing I don't understand because it is so new. But, more research is needed to protect children from it.
It's not different now, when I was a kid there was no internet - all we had was four channels on the TV. Parents cannot be watching their kids 24/7, they have to work and they have things to do. They do all they can to block the dodgy websites but eventually there needs to be an international agreement to shut the horrible things down,
A recent study has shown that almost 2,000 children's centres have closed down in the UK since 2010. What facilities would you like to open in this constituency, and how would you fund them?
I would like to see a 'one-stop shop' that can help kids with a lot of issues - whether that's mental health or catchup classes. Part of it would have to be funded by the council, and other partners, interest groups and things like that.
When there are a range of providers, I always worry with these things, it would be nicer if there was a problem with the child, it would be so much easier to be referred to one place, rather than a parent bring referred here, there, and everywhere.
It's about bringing all the professionals together in one place. The council would have to be involved alongside other providers, and you don't want it to be done for profit. It is a service, not a business.
Other facilities, like sports pitches and swimming pools have also been in decline since 2010 - what could be done locally to encourage the next generation of Olympians and future Euros stars?
We need to think about seeing if the facilities that have been shut down since 12010, whether these things can be reopened and whether community facilities can be shared so that children can lead healthy active lives. Again this will have to be thought about with the local sports community groups, they will have to come together to see what types of sports they provide.
It is similar to the last question, you have to have to bring everyone all together to actually put a number of facilities in the area.
There are green spaces in Basingstoke that need to be utilised, someone is needed to make that first step.
Which unique feature is this area's greatest unsung asset? And how would you use it to improve the local economy?
I always think the greatest asset is the people themselves, if people want something to be done they will come together and make things happen. I know there are various different organisations and sectors out there. You have to bring people together.
Businesses do not exist if there are no people. People don't think about it. They say how do you create wealth? You need to skill people up, you need education providers and businesses to provide the apprenticeships, and you want to bring them together. Bring them all together so people are in trade and jobs. Productivity will improve and that's how you will improve the local economy.
If elected, what local change will you make on day 1?
I know there have been a lot of issues with GPs. I would begin by working with the GPs in Basingstoke to see how we can resolve that. It can't be resolved on day one, by you need to discuss how it is possible to not have the scramble for appointments at 8am. Maybe that's providing services with the pharmacies or health centres or somewhere else.
There's also the issue with the hospital, but that can't be solved in a day, but GPs are also a major issue in Basingstoke that can begin to be solved with opening discussions.
Raymond Saint - Independent
The former plumber and teacher at BCoT originally stood as the Reform UK candidate for Basingstoke.
But, Mr Saint was dropped as a candidate for Reform UK last week after a leaked document revealed that he was recorded as a British National Party (BNP) member in 2009. He has again refused to comment on the matter.
In June, Mr Saint said: "I would regard myself as conservative and always voted accordingly but unfortunately during the last few years I find myself politically homeless as the party has completely lost its way and in my opinion can no longer be regarded as conservative.
"After 13 years of this government, the country seems to be completely broken and no one in the administration appears to have a clue how to fix the problems."
Questions have been raised about what happens to candidates like Mr Saint, who have been removed by their party after the deadline for election nomination has passed.
The deadline for nominating candidates for the general election on Thursday, July 4, passed on Friday, June 7. After this date, ballot papers are produced and printed.
This means that Raymond Saint's name will still appear on the ballot paper next to Reform UK. If Mr Saint were to win the Basingstoke seat, he could therefore enter Parliament as an independent MP.
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