100 word manifestos - Walsall

We've asked all of them to condense their promises and pledges and present them all on this page.

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

Aldridge Brownhills

Mark Beech (Monster Raving Loony Party)

Like many people I decided to get into politics for one simple reason, that is to get my moat cleaned. Although I must admit that the salary and pension seem quite attractive. This will be my third General Election, so I bring a wealth of experience to the role in addition to a top hat.

As for local policies I would like to see all right turns banned, especially at Shire Oak. I would like to outlaw age discrimination by removing s13(2) from the Equality Act 2010. I would like to see the National Express #8 bus run on-time.

Martyn Curzey (Green)

Awaiting response

John Fisher (Lab)

My priorities are jobs and investment into Aldridge-Brownhills.

We need higher skills for young people and more apprenticeships, so I'd aim to recruit an apprentice at my local office.

I want to protect and improve public services, like the NHS. I will raise awareness and challenge the stigma of mental health problems.

Born a few miles away, I've lived in the Black Country or West Midlands all my life, working hard to raise a family as a single parent, earn my way to University and run a business.

I'll use that life experience, to make a real difference in Aldridge-Brownhills.

Ian Garrett (Lib Dem)

I am a local teacher, Head of History at St Francis of Assisi Catholic School, a secondary school right in the heart of Aldridge. I am well known to many local families from my years of teaching students from Aldridge and the surrounding area. I have previously been a local councillor and candidate for Parliament in the neighbouring borough of Sandwell, and now live with my family in Birmingham. As a teacher, I am passionately committed to seeing schools nurture young people, helped by Liberal Democrat policies like the Pupil premium, which have targeted funding towards disadvantaged students.

Wendy Morton (Con)* (New candidate, Sir Richard Shepherd retiring)

I am honoured to be standing as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Aldridge-Brownhills in succession to Richard Shepherd.

As a believer of hard work and straight talking, I will stand up for Aldridge-Brownhills and fight for the issues that matter to our area. To deliver the services we all value, and the environment we all enjoy, we need a strong economy, strong education and strong communities.

Only the Conservatives will deliver this, together with securing an in-out referendum on Europe and the fair immigration policy the country needs.

I will be your representative at Westminster, never Westminster's representative in Aldridge-Brownhills.

Anthony Thompson (UKIP)

I am a West Midlands businessman and for six years I was a teacher. I believe we should spend much more on the NHS, mental health and defence and much less on renewable energy, ineffective foreign aid and the EU. We need immigration but it should be strictly controlled by a fair points system. We should face up to the impossibility of reforming the EU and have a referendum quickly. My local priority is to get the Walsall-Lichfield and Sutton Park railway lines re-opened; this will boost the economy, social life and property values of the entire area.

Walsall North

Douglas Hansen-Luke (Con)

I am a hardworking, aspiring MP with a difference. Put forward and supported by local residents, I dare and I do.

I bring energy and years of experience in business and charity to work for Walsall, Bloxwich and Willenhall. I believe the constituency has huge potential but has been neglected and taken for granted for far too long.

I have volunteered with schools, businesses and residents to improve opportunity, bring investment and increase employment. Even before being elected, I founded the Vision Exchange youth programme, secured investment, supported the Black Country Ladder and ran the London Marathon for Walsall St Giles.

Mike Harrison (Green)

With your help, I will have a chance to work nationally to get rid of Trident, keep the NHS Public, and bring fairness into the way Britain balances its budget; to outlaw zero-hours contracts, eliminate the bedroom tax, and make the minimum wage a living wage.

I will honour local activism. I will liaise with local people, businesses and the council, to fight for the local NHS, for fair and green local jobs, for affordable and greener local homes, for investment in better local transport, and for the scrapping of tuition fees for local young people.

Elizabeth Hazell (UKIP)

As a college lecturer and mother from Willenhall, Walsall North is far more to me than just another marginal constituency - it is my home. As Group Leader for UKIP on Walsall Council, I have always strived to represent the interests of the people over party. I believe that Walsall can do better - but we have to have the courage to say "enough is enough". This constituency has a rich wealth of potential in its proud people and historic industries and as your first UKIP MP I will work tirelessly to see that potential realised.

Nigel Jones (Lib Dem)

I was brought up in the South Wales mining valleys, gained two Maths degrees and spent my working life teaching in schools and further education. I have served as a councillor since 2002 in Newcastle under Lyme and and currently Lib Dem group leader. I am a qualified Methodist local preacher and a long-serving school governor.

I believe that no-one should be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.

Lib-Dems have contributed hugely to the economic recovery, while reducing tax for middle and low earners, helping pensioners. We have given much more funding for the education of children from poorer homes and for apprentices.

Pete Smith (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)

I am an experienced local councillor and a socialist. Our country needs a root and branch change in the system, not just the leadership. I want to see a system that changes the distribution of wealth, influence and power in favour of the millions and away from the millionaires that will enable: A fully funded NHS, an end to tax avoidance and evasion, a much fairer tax system, guaranteed jobs for young workers, the strengthening of workers' rights, free care for the elderly, the scrapping of nuclear weapons and real grass-roots democracy.

David Winnick (Lab)*

If re-elected, I will again be a full-time MP, with no outside financial interests. The sums I claim for secretarial and other duties have been amongst the lowest in the whole country.

It has always been my practice to be the voice of Walsall North in the Commons as well as, of course, speaking out on national issues and being an active member.

Regular all the year round surgeries will continue to be held, if re-elected, in different locations in the constituency; correspondence will be replied to promptly, as always, and casework conscientiously carried out on behalf of constituents.

My agenda: secure jobs, decent wages, affordable housing, fairness for pensioners, and defending the environment.

Walsall South

Sue Arnold (Con)

I am a Walsall girl, speaking your language with hard hitting demands to improve your town.

I've worked in the media for 30 years. I'm deputy police and crime commissioner for Staffordshire. Your safety is vital to me. I'm a past president of the chamber of commerce. The economy and business are a priority for me.

I have passion, energy and determination to bring about real change and strong social values. I will work tirelessly to create a flourishing environment.

Born and brought up in Walsall, I'm married with a son and aiming to return Walsall South to the Tories for the first time in 41 years.

Derek Bennett (UKIP)

Derek Bennett has lived in Walsall South nearly all his life, he knows the constituency well and its needs. He feels that Darlaston is often neglected by Walsall Council and will ensure it is not ignored, there is an ongoing problem regarding the closure of the Broadway North Centre, which as it is a much used facility he has supported the campaign to keep it open. Preserving the green belt around Barr Beacon and standing against any further development of Great Barr Hall is a priority. A free NHS is important to UKIP which will invest £3 billion into it.

Charlotte Fletcher (Green)

My name is Charlotte Fletcher, I live and work in the Walsall South constituency. I'm 35, married, a mother and I'm self employed. The Green Party wants a radical overhaul for the economy. We

want to stop the privatisation of the NHS, and put people first, not profit. We want investment, not cuts - to create affordable social housing, for a reliable public transport system. Investment in education for all will stop Walsall having 80 per cent of the population without recognised qualifications, which affects peoples chances for decent paid work.

Joel Kenrick (Lib Dem)

I will work hard to ensure we can build a stronger economy and a fairer society for all in Walsall South.

I was an active campaigner against Blair's illegal war in Iraq and believe we can play a positive role internationally while celebrating our diverse and tolerant communities.

We must invest more in improving our homes and renewable energy to bring more high skill, low carbon manufacturing jobs to our community.

Only the Liberal Democrats will ensure the NHS receives the additional £8 million of required investment, and ensure mental health is not a barrier to getting on in life.

Valerie Vaz (Lab)*

I want to continue representing my local community of Walsall South – a community I know to be diverse, dynamic and tolerant. I will continue to advocate for an NHS putting patients before profits, for education that unleashes all our unique talents, for decent affordable homes, for the right to enjoy the dignity of work, for an environment which fosters our well-being.

With a Labour Government I will work to reverse the privatisation of the NHS, ensure public services are efficient and responsive to local needs whilst protecting the vulnerable, and to promote a society working together for the common good.