Name: Leslie Kaye
Age: 62
Political Party: UK Independence Party (UKIP)
In 50 words why should the people of Meriden vote for you?
The Germans and Japanese have higher incomes than us yet their populations are reducing. Only UKIP can be trusted to control borders. With reduced labour supply, wage levels will rise, encouraging businesses to invest in training and productivity. This is how to create wealth and tax revenues for public services.
In 50 words what do you believe is the key issue in the borough you will fight for?
HS2 will be a social and environmental disaster for Meriden. It will bring widespread destruction of our Greenbelt. Construction will bring noise, dust, congestion and delays on our roads. When built London overflow will add to pressure on roads, housing and services. Only UKIP is committed to stop HS2.
How would you do that and how would you find the money?
Scrapping HS2 will save an estimated £75 billion which we will spend on mending potholes and improving the capacity of existing infrastructure.
Brexit negotiations are a key issue for many voters – in 100 words, give us your views on it:
Restoration of the supremacy of Parliament, English Law and control of our borders.
Take back exclusive control of our 200nm zone of fish, subject only to any fully reciprocal agreements.
Cease our membership of the Single Market and agree a mutually beneficial free trade agreement with the European Union. We must have the unfettered right to sign free trade agreements with other countries.
There should be no payment of a “Brexit Bill” more than our legal obligation and after deducting our share of EU assets.
The Brexit negotiation should be concluded as soon as possible, within the 2 year period.
What are your views on the state of the healthcare in the borough and what would you do to change it if you believe it needs changing?
The Government have promised not to cut the NHS however that does not apply to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Mark Rogers of Birmingham City Council has said that when the NHS is devolved to the WMCA, healthcare will be cut equivalent to three hospitals in the region on top of £1 billion specific cuts. UKIP will abolish the unwanted WMCA. We will slim down NHS administrative costs and redirect the savings to front line services. We will insist on travel insurance to stop health tourism and stop abuse of EHIC cards by EU nationals. Solihull Borough needs full healthcare provision and I will fight to preserve services at Solihull Hospital free at the point of delivery.
What is your favourite hobby/interest?
Flying (I am a gliding instructor). Also astronomy, science and the countryside.
What would be your ideal way to spend a day?
With family and friends.
Favourite holiday destination?
My caravan at Shobdon airfield, Herefordshire.
Favourite memory in life?
Attending the local Referendum count in the early hours of 24 June 2016 and learning that Leave had won.
Favourite film?
Star Wars
Favourite television show?
Top Gear
Favourite band/album?
Emerson, Lake and Palmer – Tarkus
Favourite book?
Lord of the Rings
What is your greatest strength or weakness?
My belief that there is good in everyone.
Top five dinner guests – alive or dead – and not including the leader of your political party!?
Anthony Wedgwood-Benn, Edward Heath, Guy Verhofstadt, Margaret Thatcher, Nigel Farage.
Who is the person/s you mist admire in life – not including the leader of your political party!?
HRH The Queen.
What is the most embarrassing moment in your life?
Having to resit a classical music exam at school and admitting that I still did not know the answer to any of the questions.
How would you like to be remembered?
Fondly.
For a million pounds would you join one of your rival political parties?
No.
A million would not last for very long would it? Under 13 years of Labour, public borrowing rose by £23,500 per family but to be fair they had a banking crisis to deal with. Yet in just seven years of Tory mismanagement, public borrowing has risen by another £23,500 per family. There have been huge cuts to the police and most other public services including terminating the £35 million grant to Solihull Council. No other party is fit for government nor has any clue as to how to fix the economy.
How about for ten million?
Yes – for 10 million I could emigrate and leave them to it!
What was the last lie you told?
See last question (maybe?).
