General Elections: Time to think about voting in Chippenham?

General elections are just around the corner so it’s time to start thinking about your voting options in Chippenham.

What would you like to see changed in your area? Who do you think will do the best job? And more importantly, are you eligible to vote?

At the moment Chippenham is being represented by an MP for the whole of North Wiltshire, James Gray. But following a review by the Boundary Commission in 2005 a new Chippenham seat was created, which is what prospective candidates are now running for.

And the would-be MP’s have been heating up their campaign trail over recent weeks, even using Chippenham People to promote themselves. But do you know who’s who?

CONSERVATIVES - Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones is running for MP. The Jamaican born founder of "The Black Farmer" range of food products promises to support small businesses and farming. He has also been actively campaigning to protect the Birds March woodland are in the town, following threats to clear it for housing.

He says he’ll concentrate on improving public services and take a responsible attitude towards environmental issues and is a keen advocate of introducing a day to celebrate Britishness.

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS - Duncan Hames will be fighting for the Chippenham seat. His campaigns include, fighting proposals to build on Birds Marsh, as well as saving Wiltshire Post Offices. He is also keen to fight for local hospitals against closures. He promises fairness as the heart of his campaign.

BNP – Michael Simpkins is a Corsham-based taxi company owner and the local MP candidate representing the BNP. Proud to be politically incorrect, he is the first BNP councilor to have been voted in, in the South West. His describes his policies as moderate.

LABOUR– Greg Lovell is campaigning for the Chippenham seat for the Labour party. A former lawyer he left his job in the City of London to set up a small business – which he describes as a fair trade, ethical and environmental online shop. He believes in supporting those in Chippenham on incomes of £15,000 or less, and helping the less fortunate in our society.

He supports local business, including local post offices, which he describes as his lifeline.

UKIP – Julia Reid (details to follow)

HOW TO VOTE

You need to be on the electoral register to vote in UK elections and you can register if you are 16 years old or over, and a British, Irish, Commonwealth or European Union citizen.

If you are eligible to vote, you can register at any time by filling in a registration form and sending it to your local electoral registration office, which is usually at your local council office. You can download a form from the ‘About My Vote’ website or your council website.

Detailed information can be found at www.direct.gov.uk

Keep checking back at Chippenham People for more election news, and let us know your views here.

Why not have a think about some of the following and join the debate:

Do you know what all the candidates stand for?

Does it make a difference who wins?

Will you even vote?