RESIDENTS in Cavendish ward will go to the polls next Thursday to vote for a new councillor following the death of Conservative councillor Margaret Grant in December.

The Hillingdon and Uxbridge Times has spoken to all five candidates to ask them what their views are for the ward.

Alan Gilbert - Labour
ALAN has lived most of his life in the Cavendish Ward. He attended Field End Primary School and then Southbourne Secondary School, which was closed by the Tory/Liberal Coalition in the late 1980s.

He is campaigning for better pensions and for keeping them based on final salaries.

He would like to see the railways and London Underground brought progressively back into public ownership as each private franchise comes up for renewal.

If elected he would seek to apply the Safe Neighbourhoods initiative to Cavendish and so secure the deployment of police community support officers in the Ward.

He would also request more park wardens in the local parks to deal with anti-social behaviour.

He strongly believes that the provision of better youth services would give youngsters an alternative to the streets and help reduce graffiti and vandalism.

Alan is now retired and has the time to give to being an active and approachable local councillor in the ward in which he lives.

Alan Graham Liberal Democrat
"CAVENDISH is a great place to live and as a resident of the ward I want to make it even better.

Before this election I launched a Keep Cavendish Clean campaign aimed at sorting out the litter, graffiti and repairing the basics such as road signs. I promise to continue this fight to make our area a clean and pleasant place to live.

My other priorities for Cavendish include ensuring enough resources are given to our local schools to make sure our kids have the best start, protecting our green spaces so we can all breathe, and campaigning to protect our post offices for the benefit of our community.

"However the fight to tackle the scourge of crime and anti-social behaviour is paramount. The solutions to these problems must be to invest in enough police and community support officers in order to make residents feel safe.

Investing in decent public lighting and youth facilities is also an important aspect in this fight."

Graham Lee Green Party
"I HAVE lived in Ruislip Manor for the last 28 years and have been an active campaigner against expansion of Heathrow and all other airports. I wish to see much of the road building budget being diverted into improvements in public transport including speeding up the introduction of step free access on the London Underground taking full advantage of major work that is currently in progress at Ruislip Manor.

"I wish to work with the police and others to cut out anti-social behaviour. Green travel plans should be introduced at all schools with emphasis on walking and cycling to school.

"Green Party members elected to the European Parliament, members elected to the Greater London Assembly and to many local authorities have shown what effect even one or two can have on improving the life and environment of the area. Now is your chance to elect a Green Party member to Hillingdon Council."

Peter Shaw National Front
"HOUSING: Locals feel we should put Britain first at the Cavendish by-election. Hillingdon nationalists claim the Locata housing system should be replaced by a fairer system giving priority to indigenous Britons.

"There are plans to build 9,000 new homes in Hillingdon. New homes should only be built as and when required by our own people.

"Health: We believe that our own people should take priority over insufferable "world NHS tourists". MRSA at Hillingdon Hospital must be eradicated, and Harefield Hospital must stay open.

"Environment: Hillingdon Council recently allowed building on green belt park land in South Ruislip and Harefield. Though this clearly contravenes the London Plan, special circumstances were quickly granted. With "special circumstances" being invoked at will, can we trust them not to build even on Field End Rec or Bessingby Park?

"Crime: Police need strong support in the issuing of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders.

"Asylum: No passing on of taxes to Cavendish residents for asylum seekers arriving at Heathrow."

Michael White Conservative
"IF elected I will be guided by five core principles: 1 Care for the environment: I will use my position in the council to take action to preserve and enhance all parts of the local environment in Cavendish improving and safeguarding the quality of life of local residents.

2 Opportunity for all: Every parent should have the opportunity to give their child a decent education. I will work hard to improve education provision for Cavendish children.

3 Compassion: I will work to promote security and dignity in old age, a decent home for all and better support for the vulnerable.

4 Safe and secure: I believe in providing help to prevent young people being enticed onto the conveyor belt to crime.

Cavendish should have more facilities for younger people and a visible and respected police presence, reassuring the law-abiding community.

5 Accountability to the electorate: I will be contactable by phone, email or at surgeries to help resolve local issues.

The Hillingdon and Uxbridge Times has taken the view to represent all candidates as fairly as possible, in line with our policy at every election. We would like to make it clear that we do not endorse the views of any given candidate.