Sutton and Cheam: Philippa Stroud Q & A

Q. What are your views on the MPs' expenses issue?

A. Transparency in local politics and Government is crucial to the trust between an MP and constituents. It is for this reason that I am running a positive campaign and have made a number of public pledges.

Whatever the rules, I will only claim for what is necessary to do the job well. Expenses are there to reimburse you for costs incurred in doing your job, not as a top-up to your salary.

To enable you to check that I am keeping my promises –and what I am doing more generally – I will publish online details of every claim I make against Parliamentary allowances.

I will hold regular surgeries and Town Hall style meetings with Ministers so that you can quiz me and members of the Government directly on important issues.

I will always run a positive campaign - telling you how your vote for a change of government will change things in Britain This Parliament is the opportunity for politics to have a clean start and the opportunity must be seized.

Q. If you had to pick the single biggest issue you will campaign on as MP for the borough, what would that be?

A. There are actually 3 local issues that people in Sutton want to talk to me about and they are St Helier, school places and the state of Sutton’s High Streets. It matters to local people that the £219 million investment into St Helier goes ahead, that we address the shortage of school places in the Borough and that we tackle the drinking culture on our High Street that has driven families away in the evenings. These would be my top local priorities if I have the privilege of being elected as MP.

Q. What is your biggest regret?

A. I would love to be able to dance and my feet just don’t want to do what my brain tells them to!

Q. What was your biggest achievement at school/university?

A. I played way too much sport at university but it did result in me getting a full blue for sport.

Q. Do you believe in euthanasia?

A. I want to live in a society where our elderly and sick receive the best care in the safe knowledge that they are never a burden to society and that we are grateful for all they have given. I am therefore not in favour of euthanasia.

Q. Have you ever smoked cannabis?

A. I can honestly say “No” to this one and I have actively worked to see it reclassified so that people understand the dangers of using it.

Q. How did you get involved in politics?

A. I spent many years starting voluntary sector projects that cared for people in need and rebuilt communities. After years of doing this I realised that so much of the debate that took place in politics was not actually helping those who most needed that help. I thought that if I could get involved in being part of the solution rather than picking up the pieces then that would be a life well spent. It was this that made me first think about going into politics.

Q. How long have you lived in the borough?

A. I have lived here with my husband and three teenage children for nearly 3 years. It is our home and we love being part of this community.

Q. Have you ever belonged to another political party?

A. No. I joined the Conservative Party about 8 years ago when I found that some of the most innovative thinking was taking place at the heart of the Conservative Party.

Q. What do you recycle?

A. Just about anything I can – although I am always trying to recycle things that are not yet recyclable!

Q. If you have one item on a desert island, what would it be and why?

A. All the photos of my children. It is so easy to forget what they were like at each age and then it all comes flooding back when you get out the albums (although I guess I would need a computer too as the last few years have been stored on my computer!).

Q. Where would you least like to live in the borough and where would you most like to live in the borough?

A. I would least like to live in the Civic Offices (no offence to the Council but it is a pretty soulless building). I would most like to live in our home – Mulgrave Road – because it is home!

Q. What is the borough's best attribute?

A. There are a number – The Royal Marsden, Nonsuch Mansion, our great schools and the Sutton tennis academy - but if I had to chose one, it would probably be Nonsuch – I love going there with my girls.

Q. Do you agree with abortion or are you pro-life?

A. This is not an easy one, as women who feel trapped by an unwanted pregnancy need all the support we can give them. However, I have spent my entire life caring for vulnerable people and that extends to the unborn child.

Q. What's your favourite biscuit?

A. Shortbread – anyone in my team could tell you that!

Q. What happened when you first got drunk and did you learn your lesson?

A. I have seen the damage that alcohol can do to people’s lives and therefore have never wanted to go there.

Q. What annoys you?

A. Strong people who pick on weak people. I really don’t like that.

Q. Do you do the washing up or do you get others to do it?

A. I have three teenage children who can be useful from time to time! - but I am more than happy to roll up my sleeves and get stuck in.

Q. Apart from a house what is the most expensive item you have bought for yourself?

A. I am not good at buying things for myself. If I have money to spend on me I either end up spending it on my children or would rather we went out for a meal as a family.

Q. Facebook or Twitter?

A. Facebook every time.