Name: Max McLoughlin
Age 34
Political Party: Green Party
In 50 words why should the people of Solihull vote for you?
The old politics isn’t working. People feel like they have no voice. But politics can and is being done differently by the Greens. I’m standing up for our NHS, for education, our greenbelt, and to fix the housing crisis. A vote for the Green Party means you stand with us.
In 50 words what do you believe is the key issue in the borough you will fight for?
Solihull is the most unaffordable place to live in the West Midlands. We need to build 100,000 homes per year, nationwide and not just homes for the super rich. We need to use brownfield sites as a priority and protect our greenbelt. We can only use it once.
How would you do that and how would you find the money?
This could be part funded by trimming tax breaks for private landlords, worth several billion pounds per year. The £8 billion per year investment needed would actually reduce government debt by £0.9 trillion over 50 years. It would pay for itself by 2034 as every £1 spent in construction leads to £2.84 of spending in the supply chain, most of which is taxable. The policy also reduces the £24.4 billion housing benefit bill, meaning it is an investment that is as safe as houses!
Brexit negotiations are a key issue for many voters – in 100 words, give us your views on it:
However we voted, we all need to make a success of Brexit. That involves taking the opportunity it offers to focus on developing local businesses. For every £1 spent at a supermarket just 5p stays in the local economy, whereas with a local business 50p of that same £1 stays in the local economy, being spent again, supporting more local businesses and creating more local jobs. We are leaving the EU, but it’s still our nearest neighbor. We should be focusing on making sure we have meaningful jobs at home rather than picking fights with neighbours for political gain.
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?
My sister is a doctor in the NHS and I know only too well the challenges that doctors and nurses are facing, and the difficulty people face getting an appointment. We have an aging population and Solihull has a higher average age than the rest of the country. We need our NHS and care even more than the rest of the UK. Creeping privatization is making the £120 billion we spend each year on the NHS have less and less impact. Our health is such a basic need that it should be free for all, and not for profit. To get the improvements needed we need to take the profits out of health, invest in the NHS and close the funding gap for care. To fund this we propose increasing tax on alcohol and tobacco products. Our health is one of the best investments we can make as a country.
What is your favourite hobby/interest?
Walking, followed by a well-earned trip to the pub.
What would be your ideal way to spend a day?
With my family. I don’t mind what we’d be doing or where.
Favourite holiday destination?
San Sebastian in Spain. Good food, drink and weather.
Favourite memory in life?
My first sight of snow. I hope it’s something future generations will be able to enjoy.
Favourite film?
It’s a Wonderful Life
Favourite television show?
I didn’t have time for TV for a long time, but still managed to get hooked on Game of Thrones.
Favourite band/album?
Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On
Favourite book?
George Orwell – Keep the Aspidistra Flying
What is your greatest strength or weakness?
My family are my greatest strength. My foreign languages are my weakness. Embarrassingly my Chinese is better than my French, which my French, former business partner found highly amusing.
Top five dinner guests – alive or dead – and not including the leader of your political party!?
George Orwell, Boudica, Plato, Winston Churchill, and Emmeline Pankhurst. I think it would make for a lively evening.
Who is the person/s you most admire in life – not including the leader of your political party!?
Malala Yousafzai, what she’s done in helping get women educated in the face of the Taliban is a true sign of bravery and principles. I wish there were more people in politics like her.
What is the most embarrassing moment in your life?
Being asked to sing in a Chinese talent show. It’s a long story, so it will have to wait till after the election…
How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who cared about others, knew what they were talking about and was on the right side of history.
For a million pounds would you join one of your rival political parties?
If I would I’d already be a Conservative Party member.
How about for ten million?
Then I’d be a Conservative Party donor!
What was the last lie you told?
“It’s delicious”
