Nick Hillman for Cambridge

There is a (false) perception afoot that I have not responded to the Democracy Club survey for candidates.

In fact, I have corresponded with all those who have contacted me about this survey and who have given me their email address. (This is a more time-consuming but also more personal way to respond than simply putting my answers online, in my opinion.)

I have also spoken at a hustings in Cambridge which was organised by the Democracy Club (even though it clashed with the final leaders’ TV debate!) – so I am certainly keen to have a dialogue with them and to discuss the issues of importance to them.

And I am a big fan of TheyWorkForYou, which is linked to the Democracy Club. Having worked at Parliament, I know that this resource is often more useful than other sources for parliamentary information.

I am posting below my answers to all the Democracy Club questions about Cambridge for the benefit of those who think I have not responded, or who would simply like to see my thoughts on these key local issues.

As with the majority of candidates for the major parties, I have not responded to the Club’s questions on national politics because, as I have said to one of our local Democracy Club organisers in person, I think they take some massive issues and then simplify them to an unhelpful degree. I still need to be convinced that it is valuable to provide multiple choice answers (plus a sentence or two admittedly) to such massive questions on the future of our country. Anyone who has been to the 35 or so hustings events in Cambridge will know, however, that I am keen to talk about these issues to local voters.

Personally, I think the Democracy Club survey would have had a bigger response rate from the two biggest parties if it had been consulted upon more widely before being posted online. I regret that this did not happen but I continue to support the general idea behind the survey, which I recognise is designed to engage and inform voters. If I am elected, I look forward to working with MySociety / TheyWorkForYou / Democracy Club in the future.

1. Cambridge should become part of a unitary authority.

Against - as a ‘Conservative’, I am perhaps more relaxed than others about working within existing institutional structures. However, I find it difficult to get very excited about this issue – structural changes often simply replace one set of political boundaries with another (eg when Government departments change, it does not always lead to an improvement in joined-up thinking). I note in passing that structural change of this nature is often discussed by people who prefer talking about politics rather than policy and the issues that really affect people’s day-to-day lives.

2. Potholes affect cyclists more than drivers and cycle routes should be a council priority for repairs.

Broadly-speaking, I agree with the first part of this – potholes are often worse for cyclists (though they can cause expensive damage to cars as well, which can lead to compensation claims which local taxpayers often then have to cover). But cyclists use all sorts of roads – not just cycle routes – in Cambridge and the local Cycling Campaign is keen to emphasise that cyclists can cycle on the roads even where there is alternative cycle-lane provision. So, while I absolutely agree that cycle routes should be a key priority when fixing potholes, I am not convinced that roads used by drivers and cycles routes are different things.

3. Tackling cycle crime should be a police priority in Cambridge.

Agree, though I think this is partly about education as well and the police have a role here too – for example, education on the proportion of the money that someone wants to spend on a bike that should go on a lock.

4. Cambridge airport (aka “Marshall’s”) should close and have several thousand houses built on the site.

I had major issues with the proposed development (for example, with the lack of sufficient supporting infrastructure) and so was not in favour of the plans to move (rather than close) Marshall’s. As I live just off the Newmarket Road, I am well aware of the current infrastructure problems in this part of Cambridge and they would have become worse, not better. I was also worried about the loss of skilled employment from Cambridge, as Marshall’s provide a type of employment not readily available elsewhere in the city. Now that Marshall’s have made their intention to stay clear, this is no longer really an issue for this election.

5. There should be a 20 Mph speed limit on residential roads

I tend to think 20mph zones, which I am not opposed to on principle, should be determined on a local basis and not via a blanket decision from Westminster. I want to see real devolution of power to local communities and there are many areas where local decision-making is best – in my opinion, this is one of those.

6. Addenbrookes [sic] should be the centralised resource for health in this area rather than providing services around the county.

I think this is an area where politicians should follow the desires of residents, especially where there is no clinical rationale for change. Conservative policy will make that easier. I am looking forward to the birth of our baby son, which I hope will take place at the Rosie in Addenbrookes, but I recognise the strong arguments in favour of local provision alongside.

7. The number of punts on the River Cam ought be capped.

I am inclined to disagree but I believe this should not really be a decision taken by the local MP or anyone else at Westminster – and it is the Westminster election that I am taking part in. If we are to have high-quality people as our councillors, then we need to give them real decision-making powers and not have the MP sticking their oar (pole?) in on every single local issue.

8. The Guided Bus scheme is a waste of money.

The scheme has clearly had problems and everyone must learn lessons from the experience. But it is now (nearly) built and we have to make sure it is a success. Moreover, when I visit places like Long Road Sixth Form College and Cambridge Regional College, they tell me that the cycle path alongside will be a real boon to their students and staff. However, I don’t think we will be able to make a really accurate assessment of the costs versus benefits for many years – for example, until we know whether people living in new developments alongside the route make good use of the busway. As a general point, I think it is a shame that the current Government has tried to force particular transport solutions on local communities. I prefer our approach of letting areas bid for money assigned to reduce carbon emissions – that way, local communities can come up with innovative local solutions.

9. The new town of Northstowe should be built on the edge of Cambridge.

Agree.

10. Students of the universities should be able to vote in the Cambridge constituency.

Agree. I am happy with the status quo which also allows them to vote at home instead if they wish to do so – I know from my canvassing that this is an option that has a significant take up.

11. Cambridge should have a congestion charge.

Disagree. I have (literally) yet to meet a single voter on the doorstep who has asked me to back the congestion charge idea! Also, please refer back to my answer on the guided busway.