100 word manifestos - Dudley and Wyre Forest

The * next to a name means they're either the incumbent MP or the candidate trying to hold the seat because the incumbent is standing down.

If you are a candidate whose short manifesto is missing from this page, please get in touch.

Email political editor Daniel Wainwright at daniel.wainwright@expressandstar.co.uk

Dudley North

Rehan Afzal (Apni)

Awaiting response

Ian Austin (Lab)*

I work hard for local people all year round because I want to improve things in the area. I think we need to make education and skills our number one priority to give youngsters a first class start, attract new jobs and help local businesses grow.

Whether it's fighting to prevent 400 redundancies at Russells Hall Hospital, campaigning to save the police station or speaking up on immigration, I'll always listen to folk in Dudley and stand up for them – whether people in Westminster like it or not.

My message is simple: I'm from Dudley and I'm on your side.

Mike Collins (Lib Dem)

Awaiting response

Will Duckworth (Green)

For 30 years I have lived and worked in Netherton; teaching at a local secondary school for more than 20 years before becoming a house husband and Green Party activist.

I am standing in Dudley North representing the honest and principled Green Party, which is committed to opposing cuts to our public services.

I'm standing up for the right of the local Muslim community to build an up to date community centre and mosque in the borough.

Bill Etheridge (UKIP)

Britain needs a government prepared to put things right. As your MP for Dudley North I would put the interests of Dudley North first.

Unlike many of the politicians from the tired old political parties I had a proper job, in industry, which gave me real world experience.

I am now an MEP representing the West Midlands Region and am also a local Councillor in Sedgley.

I entered politics to represent and stand up for local people. As your MP I would stand up for Dudley North and the area's needs. Vote UKIP on May 7.

Les Jones (Con)

Awaiting response

David Pitt (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)

I am proud to stand as a Parliament Candidate in the General Election under the only anti austerity party.

I believe all the establishment parties have failed our communities by putting the banks and big business before the millions of working class people that work hard to get by and make ends meet.

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition is not ruled by the financial elite. We are proud to fight and defend our public services from cuts and privatisation. We want a £10 a hour minimum wage. The abolishment of tuition fees for students and a massive increase in affordable housing.

Dudley South

Paul Brothwood (UKIP)

I am honoured to be standing for Parliament in Dudley South where I live, unlike the candidates from the other major parties. I will fight to ensure the NHS is free at the point of delivery for UK residents. I am against further use of PFI in the NHS and will encourage local authorities to buy out their PFI contracts early where this is affordable. I believe it's important for Dudley South to have a local representative and a real voice. UKIP came second in Dudley South last year. Please use your vote on someone that lives in your community.

Vicky Duckworth (Green)

I'm 33, live in Netherton, in Dudley South and used to teach in a primary school.

For the last few years I've volunteered for the Green Party in Netherton, Woodside and St Andrew's where I've listened to residents' concerns.

In response to these concerns and my own experiences I'm standing up against austerity, privatisation, the bedroom tax and tax avoidance.

I'm standing up for decent homes, a free NHS owned by the public, free education, renationalisation of public transport, a Living Wage within an economy that works for the common good, safer streets and a sustainable future for all.

Natasha Millward (Lab)

Over the past 18 months my team and I have spoken to thousands of residents and they have made it clear they want change.

I want to see a recovery that makes people here in Dudley feel better – one that raises the minimum wage and bans exploitative zero hour contracts – and I want to see a brighter future for the next generation by making sure that education, training and jobs are a priority.

I want to make sure that our public services are valued and that we keep our NHS safe by investing in thousands of new doctors and nurses.

Martin Turner (Lib Dem)

Awaiting response

Mike Wood (Con)* (New candidate, Chris Kelly standing down)

Our community needs jobs and opportunities for local people. That needs a strong economy. Britain has gone from the longest and deepest recession for a century to being the world's fastest-growing major economy. We must continue with that work and stick with the difficult decisions that made it possible.

As a local man, I rely on Russells Hall and local health services to look after me and my family. We must continue to increase investment in our NHS locally.

Finally, I will vote for a referendum on the EU so you can decide whether we stay in or come out, and support further action to strengthen the immigration system.

Halesowen and Rowley Regis

James Morris (Con)*

It has been a privilege to be the local MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis during the last five years. As someone who worked in small business for 20 years before politics I have taken a practical, hands on approach to getting things done locally.

I have worked hard to secure a better future for Halesowen and Rowley Regis and my plan for the future focusses on taking practical action on jobs and skills through my annual jobs fairs; fighting for more and better health services including at Rowley Regis Hospital which has had several million pounds of new investment since 2010; tackling crime and anti-social behaviour; protecting local fire services, boosting our town centres and improving transport links and railway stations.

John Payne (Green)

A priority has to be a review of economic policy. The banking crash in 2008 spectacularly demonstrated that the approach taken over 30 years has failed. Unless we tackle the banking/investment system in Britain, we will not shift the country from a trajectory of decline. This affects Halesowen and Rowley Regis as elsewhere.

The Green Party would seek to move the economy to be more economically and environmentally sustainable. It must be recognised that market forces alone cannot achieve this and that there is a role for government and a Green Investment Bank. This approach would involve local government to develop the economy on a broader, more balanced, front.

Stephanie Peacock (Lab)

I grew up in Halesowen and Rowley Regis; I still live and work here. I'm proud of our community. When I see living standards declining I can't stand by and watch it happen. I want to fight for our community at every level. I have run campaigns on a number of issues, recently against local bus cuts to the hospital.

I'm inspired by my parents' values of fairness and passionate about saving our NHS. As a former teacher I'm pleased Labour will give young people a chance to do well. This can only be achieved by voting Labour.

Dean Perks (UKIP)

I'm an ordinary working class graduate from the university of life that got into politics to speak up for those that can't or won't speak up for themselves. If elected I will speak up for those that elected me, not a political agenda. I believe the people of Britain deserve a say on our membership of the EU because we have never voted for political union.

I want to see people at both ends of the spectrum held to account. Those abusing our welfare system, the bankers and big business avoiding tax. Only UKIP are talking common sense

Peter Tyzack (Lib Dem)

Awaiting response

Stourbridge

Chris Bramall (Lib Dem)

I believe in sensible public spending and sensible taxation. It is vital to preserve public services – the NHS, education, libraries. We need a West Midlands Urban Authority to improve public transport, build more houses, and encourage local manufacturing. HS2 must be defended against Home Counties nimbyism. For local jobs, for enhancing Britain's influence in the world, and for tackling global warming, it is important not to break up the EU. For Stourbridge I want 20 mph limits in all residential areas, restoration of the direct rail link to New Street, and an end to financial discrimination against sixth form colleges.

Christian Kiever (Green)

I am proud to represent the The Green Party. It is the only Party with a clearer vision for the future.

I believe in a fairer society with a fully resourced and funded National Health Service, our railways renationalised, a society that pays a living wage and free education for all.

Margot James (Con)*

I am proud that the Government has halved the budget deficit, cut income tax for 27 million people, increased spending on the NHS and pensions, and protected pensioner benefits and the schools budget. Our long-term economic plan is working, but we need to keep working through it to secure a better future.

If I'm re-elected, I will support local businesses, job creation and investment in young people. I will continue my work to improve health and social care. And I will vote to give people their say on Britain's membership of the EU, via in an in/out referendum by 2017.

Pete Lowe (Lab)

Stourbridge is my home. I am born, bred and educated here, and as a qualified nurse, have worked in all our local hospitals. I know the issues in the community, because they affect me and my family.

Rescuing the NHS is my top priority. Labour's costed plan will mean thousands of doctors and nurses, and joined up health and social care. Labour offers NHS care for the whole person - not what we've got under the Tories.

I want to see families thrive. I am fighting for sustainable jobs and an end to poverty wages for insecure work, and affordable local housing.

James Carver (UKIP)

I believe in a better, fairer Britain, where politicians represent, rather than rule over us. Where we govern ourselves without endless EU meddling, something I experience daily as your MEP. A Britain where our quality of life improves with each generation; bringing a better NHS and schools, and an Australian style points based migration system, where we control the quantity and quality of people coming to our country.

With a frightening national debt, an open door EU immigration policy and PFI financed back door privatisation of our NHS, the establishment parties keep on hammering us.

Wyre Forest

Andrew Crick (Lib Dem)

Awaiting response

Mark Garnier (Con)*

In the five years that I have been the MP for Wyre Forest, I have dedicated my time to help bring in both private and public investment into the area. This has been successful and unemployment has fallen by more than a half. But for the future, I will work for more higher paid, full time jobs to raise local wages; more town centre investment to improve the public realm; more local training opportunities to help people achieve better, higher paid jobs; and much more inward investment by businesses to make Wyre Forest a great place to live work and play.

Matthew Lamb (Lab)

I want a Wyre Forest where prosperity and opportunity belongs to everyone. Under the Tories there have been deep cuts. Labour will balance the books and cut the deficit every year. Under the Tories hardworking people are worse off. Labour will tackle the cost of living crisis. Under the Tories the NHS is at risk. Labour will save the NHS. Under the Tories immigration is higher than ever before. Labour will have a firm, fair, policy. Under the Tories the next generation will be worse off than their parents. Labour will give all young people a decent start in life.

Natalie McVey (Green)

I'm 44 and the first Green Party candidate to stand in The Wyre Forest in a General Election.

I work for the Libraries and Learning Service as Lead for 13-24 year olds. Apart from time away at University I have lived in The Wyre Forest all of my life. I know this area, its people and their struggles.

I pledge to fight for a publicly provided NHS, to end animal cruelty and champion sustainable energy. I openly oppose austerity, privatisation, worsening inequality and the damaging way other politicians talk about immigration. I can give you the progressive, positive alternative that you are desperate for.

Dr Richard Taylor (Independent Community and Health Concern)

Awaiting response

Michael Wrench (UKIP)

Awaiting response