8 things you need to know about your General Election candidates: Greenwich & Woolwich

MATTHEW PENNYCOOK (LABOUR)

Age? 32

Where do you live? I live in the constituency on McMillan Street, in the Greenwich West ward I previously represented as a local councillor. 

Where are you from originally? I’m from London and apart from a few years away at University have always lived south of the river.  

Why do you want to represent this constituency? I want to represent Greenwich and Woolwich because it’s been my home for many years and I’m passionate about its future. I’ve already represented residents within the constituency as a local councillor and feel that, working together with residents, I can do much more as an MP to make it a fairer, safer, and greener place to live. 

What local policy are you most passionate about? If I had to pick one it would be housing and the challenge of securing more homes that local people can actually afford. The housing crisis in London is long standing but it has been exacerbated by a sharp drop in new affordable homes over the last five years. If I have the privilege of being elected on May 7 I intend to fight for development that benefits local communities, not just overseas investors. 

Describe yourself in 3 words: Local. Accessible. Hardworking.

Who is your biggest hero? Aneurin Bevan. 

What is your proudest moment? As the first person in my family to go to University it would have to be gaining a place to read History and International Relations at the London School of Economics.

MATT HARTLEY(CONSERVATIVE)

Age? 29

Where do you live? Blackheath

Where are you from originally? Like many people I’m an adopted Londoner! I was born in North Yorkshire but grew up mostly in Macclesfield, Cheshire.

Why do you want to represent this constituency? I want to be our MP to bring about change - wherever it is needed, and in whatever way possible. I have spoken to thousands of residents right across the constituency over the last year, and have been campaigning hard on some of the important challenges we face: improving public transport, including through my Sort It, Southeastern campaign, tackling low pay in our community and supporting our smaller shopping parades. We need more than an MP - we need a champion, and that’s exactly what I will be if elected on 7th May.

What local policy are you most passionate about? Promoting the Living Wage. There are now 2 million more people in work since 2010 and here in Greenwich & Woolwich, the number of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance has fallen 41 per cent. We need to do more to tackle low pay for those in work, however, which is why as a local councillor I have brought a new Living Wage Incentive Scheme to Greenwich, offering up to 100 employers a one-off business rate discount if they commit to paying the London Living Wage. 

Describe yourself in 3 words: Hard-working, relentless optimist! 

Who is your biggest hero? I have to give two - my dad, the nicest person you will ever meet, and the family friend who saved his life by donating him his kidney. I could live to 100 and never see a greater act of friendship.

What is your proudest moment? In politics, enjoying my first cup of tea at a café in my council ward that opened up as a direct result of the ‘Mend The Mound’ campaign that my Conservative colleagues and I started to regenerate the shops on the Coldharbour estate.  It's now a real part of the community and it's great to see it go from strength to strength.

TOM HOLDER (LIB DEM)

Age? 29

Where are you from originally? South west London

Where do you live? South east London

Why do you want to represent this constituency? After 22 years of Labour safe-seat complacency I think it's time for an MP who works for residents not for developers. 

What local policy are you most passionate about? I would oppose the proposed Silvertown tunnel which will bring more traffic and pollution into the already congested Greenwich town centre. Pollution already kills 120 per year in the Greenwich borough. We need to improve public transport and encourage walking and cycling, not build a tunnel that will generate more traffic.

Describe yourself in 3 words: Dedicated. Honest. Reliable.

Who is your biggest hero? William Wilberforce - a British politician who successfully led the movement to ban the slave trade before campaigning to abolish slavery across the British empire. 

What is your proudest moment? Qualifying as a teacher after a very challenging year of on-the-job training.

ABBEY AKINOSHUN (GREEN)

Age? 50

Where do you live? Abbey Wood

Where are you from originally? I'm from Ibadan, Nigeria. It was once the largest city in the country and is now the third largest, with more than 3 million inhabitants.

Why do you want to represent this constituency? Having worked as a NHS nurse and lived in the borough of Greenwich for 15 years I've become more determined that we need better services  
and that the Green Party will bring the lasting change and emphasis on community that I think we need. There are many areas that need improving but I'm very keen to work for improved air quality, more opportunities for employment for our young people, to stop the creeping privatisation of the NHS and to make sure there is adequate affordable and social housing.

What local policy are you most passionate about? There are so many issues but improving the air quality has to be a priority. It's estimated that 150 people a year die of pollution in the Royal Borough of Greenwich alone. That's scandalous and it shows how badly Greenwich needs a Green.

Describe yourself in three words: Approachable, reliable, efficient

Who is your biggest hero? Nelson Mandela

What is your proudest moment? When I was elected to represent over 300,000 nurses on the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Recognising that a disproportionate number of black or minority ethnic nurses were being dismissed I brought about change by ensuring an Equalities and Diversity Unit was set up to address this injustice.

RYAN ACTY (UKIP) Did not reply

LYNNE CHAMBERLAIN (TRADE UNIONIST AND SOCIALIST COALITION) Did not reply