Joseph Lee answers your questions

Liberal Democrat candidate for Greenwich & Woolwich, Joseph Lee, answers the questions submitted to him by Greenwich.co.uk readers.

If elected, what would your priorities be?

I would bring around real regeneration of Woolwich and stop Greenwich town centre turning into something almost unrecognizable to many people, the area is fast disintegrating. I will change the area which works for the residents of the area, not exclusively for tourists. The town centre is aimed too much for tourists and doesn’t reflect the needs and wants of local residents. As much as the local economy needs tourist money coming in, we need to strike a balance which works for local people. By doing this it will help bring new and original businesses to the area and not necessary businesses which strictly cater for tourists. Also I will be pushing for safer streets by providing more facilities for young people on their doorstep, to keep them occupied and aware from negative influences. Also to push for a higher level of policing throughout the constituency, this is a key issue when I am on the door step, people are becoming frustrated by a lack of police on the beat throughout the
constituency.

I’d like to know what the candidates would do about the Blackwall Tunnel closure, and what their views are on two-way traffic through one 1/2 of the tunnel.

I think it’s unacceptable that Nick Raynsford allowed Mayor Johnson to commence work on the Blackwall tunnel without giving people any alternative while the tunnel is out of operation. Though I agree the work needs to be done to improve the safety of the tunnel. I felt Raynsford gave in too easy to Mayor Johnson and didn’t lobby hard enough for a alternative.

Do you think that MP’s should be allowed to have extra jobs and consultancies while holding Parliamentary office?

100% no. It’s completely unacceptance for members of parliament to have extra jobs or consultancies while as MP. Being a member of parliament is a full time job which needs 100% commitment and I can’t understand how any members can carry out other extra jobs or consultancies without their own constituency work falling behind, I feel very strongly about this issue and as your member of parliament I confirm that I won’t hold any others jobs or consultancies while working for you.

Why are you the only candidate to have withheld your full address in the official statement of declared candidates?

It’s only a short term temporary property I live in at present as I am due to be moving any time now, the landlord has issues about me using the address which I have to respect. if elected, I will be moving into the constituency within 28 days.

Does your party support the Olympics in Greenwich Park given it would entail long closures of this vital amenity and potential damage to this World Heritage Site, not to mention the obscene cost, lack of legacy and transport problems?

Well, I feel the way same as many people throughout the constituency feel, they feel let down that the current MP took it upon himself to decide that the Olympics were good for the area without asking the residents of their opinion. It also sadden a lot of people that the leader of the council Chris Roberts didn’t attend the important council meeting decider to hold Olympic equestrian events in Greenwich Park. All in all, residents wasn’t given a choice about the games but as your MP I will vow to ensure the games are carried out with close scrutiny with everything the Olympic organizers do to ensure that the areas used are used with absolute minimal amount of short and long term damage, I will be very active in ensuring that the necessary closures are minimal we get the park back virtually how we gave it over. Finally, I want to see everyone constituent see the full benefits of the Olympics, not just residents close to where the games are being held but residents further afield in say Charlton or Blackheath.

What was the last book you read?

Unbowed – the memoirs of a Kenyan environmentalist and women’s rights campaigner Wangari Maathai who also won the nobel prize

Are you in favour of joining the Euro?

Though I am keen of keeping close ties to Europe, I am not in favour joining the euro.

Greenwich Hospital is appealing the decision to reject their redevelopment of Greenwich Market – do you support redevelopment of the market?

Greenwich Hospital have resubmitted plans to demolish the much loved market and surrounding areas and replace with a modern market, a shopping precinct and a 100 room plus hotel. The Liberal Democrats are against these plans and we are actively campaigning to protect Greenwich market and will be shortly issuing the council a petition. I will ensure that these plans are again thrown out and the market stays the way it is.

How would Greenwich be different in five years time if you, and a Liberal Democrat government, are elected?

Greenwich will be different for many reasons, the talented Liberal Democrat prospective councilors from all over the constituency will bring around a difference kind of politics, a type of politics where we value what people have to say, we will listen and act accordingly, there will be no disastrous decisions like the Olympics games coming to Greenwich, where no one was listened to and the council went ahead with the games without consulting residents prior, nor will we accept councilors who miss 35 out of 54 meetings in the past year like your council leader did, we will bring around positive change with a Lib Dem council which actually cares about the people and the decisions they will make on behalf of them. From a personal perspective, I will be a fully accountable MP who will always aim to be within reach of contact for all constituents, not someone who will be constantly doing various non constituency consultations as a form of extra income. I will be employed by the people of Greenwich and Woolwich to work for the people of Greenwich and Woolwich.

I promise to raise the standard of local primary and secondary schools in the area, so parents don’t have to send their kids out of the constituency to obtain a decent education. Most secondary age kids in Greenwich are having to travel to Lewisham, which is fundamentally unacceptance and I for one don’t stand for this any longer.