There are only a couple of days to go before voters take to the poll stations and cast their vote on who they would like to see as their member of parliament.

In a poll on 'Trust in government' in 2023, the Office for National Statistics found 57% reported low or no trust in the UK government. 

We know trust is important to Maldon Nub News readers, which is why we spoke to each candidate and asked them why residents should trust them if they were to become Maldon's next Member of Parliament.

Simon Burwood - The Liberal Democrats

Why should Maldon residents trust you with their vote?

"I am a local person with links to the community, this is my home and the place I brought my children up. It is an area which I am passionate about and the people are important to me.  

"This is evident from my commitment to the Parish Council in Heybridge, my role in the District Council, and other organisations which I have and still work with – Heybridge Blackwater Rotary, 1st Heybridge Cubs and Scouts, my involvement with my Church – Assumption of Our Lady Catholic Church. 

"I have been on the PTA and a Governor at St Francis Primary and run a green outdoor gym at the Co-Op academy in Heybridge. I want to be able to champion people all across the constituency and use my voice to raise their concerns at the highest levels."

What will be the first thing you will do if elected?

"Twofold, demand a meeting with both the ICB and the Health Secretary to press on them the importance of St Peter's to the wider community and to ensure investment into the building, equipment, staff and its long term future to continue with the excellent job of serving the community."

Isobel Doubleday - The Green Party

Why should Maldon residents trust you with their vote?

"I am standing for the Green Party because I believe in what the Green Party stands for; people and the planet.  

"A green vote is the only vote that counts if you want a secure and happy future on a safe planet.

"Residents can trust me with their vote as I am not a career politician, I am 75 years old with bags of energy, so I will speak my mind on behalf of all people in the Maldon Constituency."

What will be the first thing you will do if elected?

"The first thing I plan to do is to sort out housing that meets residents' needs both in terms of truly affordable property to rent or buy, built-in small developments in the right places, with the right infrastructure in terms of transport, GPs, nursery and school places, houses that are built to proper standards that take care of the environment."

John Whittingdale - The Conservative Party

Why should Maldon residents trust you again with their vote?

"I have been the member of parliament for Maldon for a number of years now and it is a great privilege to represent this town.

"I live in Maldon, I use local shops, I eat in the High Street, and I try and be a part of the local community/

"There are some very big issues which I will go on fighting for, like the future of St Peter's which has cropped up unsurprisingly quite a number of times at hustings.

"As a local chap, I will stand on my record and I will go on fighting."

John on loss of trust in the Conservative party:

"In very difficult circumstances the government has done its best. The government has seen us through a pandemic of the kind this country has never had to face before, and then immediately afterwards with the war in Ukraine which has forced up the cost of living for so many people.

"I think we are now coming out the other side of that, things are beginning to improve, and I think the government deserves some credit for that.

"I am a supporter of the Conservative government and in my view I think they deserve re-election."

What would you say to people who are stuck between voting for the Conservatives and voting for Reform?

"I know there are some, and they are people who are unhappy with the performance of the Conservative government.

"We haven't got everything right, I absolutely accept that, but Reform is a protest vehicle, they are not going to win seats, but what they are going to do is take Conservative votes.

"Overwhelmingly Reform voters are previous Conservative voters. Voting for Reform will result in Keir Starmer gaining a much bigger majority in parliament then he would otherwise - and that does worry me."

Onike Gollo - The Labour Party

Why should Maldon residents trust you with their vote?

"I think after 14 years of austerity and all the other things that have happened the economy has crashed, the NHS is on its knees.

"Labour is saying we can build an NHS for the future, and an NHS which is close to the community and an NHS where we reinstate the family doctor, and an NHS where we provide local services.

"To continue to trust a Conservative government which has brought us this far, doesn't make sense, so we're asking for the opportunity to serve the people of Maldon.

"But more than just the NHS, it's the whole package that Labour is offering that is fully costed and fully funded.

"We will not be irresponsible with your vote, with the country's money, and we will deliver what we say we will."

What would you say to people who are concerned about voting for a left-wing party in such a Conservative stronghold?

"I have been tasked with a team, Steven Capper, the Chair of the CLP, Les McDonald, the secretary of the CLP and others and when we are canvassing and when we are in Maldon and Burnham what we're hearing from people is we just want a change now, there's a weariness.

"The weariness isn't just in the Maldon constituency, the winds of change are blowing over the country, and Maldon is no different.

"It is just up to me to say: One, you'll be part of a greater movement of people who are tired of dashed hopes under the Conservatives. 

"Secondly, even if you haven't voted before, do take the time to look at our manifesto and see the offering that we're making. It should appeal to a lot of people who are disenfranchised with Conservatives so far.

"Thirdly, even if it is purely a tactical vote to get the Conservatives out, we are the recommendation from different websites as well.

"I'd want us to win on our merit, that what Labour is offering is something different, something new, something bold, but the money isn't there so we're not going to make highfalutin promises that we know we just can't keep."

Pamela Walford - Reform UK

Why should Maldon residents trust you with their vote?

"I am going to move here once I'm elected and I've got free time - I don't even have a budgie to look after!

"The most important thing to me is to be here in Maldon if I was elected, I am not attached to home.

"I think people are more important than bricks and mortar."

What message would you like to get across to the people of Maldon before the election?

"Thank you for the welcome, really, it's been great.

"I'd also say, make sure to look at the contract this party's pushed forward. It is all online."

Read Maldon Nub News other election coverage:

Hustings 2024: Healthcare in Maldon a 'top-priority' for election candidates

YouGov Poll predicts 27% drop in Tory vote share ahead of election

Maldon election candidates, Guide 2024

Reform candidate met with backlash after food bank comment