We asked Witham's Labour hopeful John Clarke six questions, but only gave him 50 words to answer.  

These are the results:

1. What do think about the current Government-set house building targets in Witham? If you don’t agree with them, how will you fight them?

Local people are worried about how their children will live and work in the area. The Tories have messed up on planning by giving the whip-hand to developers.Hhow can we increase affordable, or social, housing if developers are excused having to build any? I want regional planning re-introduced.

2. Apart from the NHS, what should be the government’s number one spending priority?

Someone once said: "Education, Education, Education!" I would add: "Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships!" I'd also want these apprenticeships to be REAL apprenticeships; not just glorified work experience designed to exploit young people and circumvent legislation concerning the minimum wage.

3. What personally sets you apart from the other candidates?

I'm an experienced credible local candidate. I've had a successful career outside politics in both the public and the private sectors; alongside that, I've had considerable experience of serving the public. In addition, I actually live in the constituency, and I've lived here for almost 20 years.

4. Name a pledge you will fulfil, if elected, within 100 days.

I pledge that the bedroom tax will not survive 100 days if I am elected. This will be the start of placing fairness back at the centre of government, something which has been missing for five years.

5. What do you think is the biggest challenge Witham will face over the next five years (house building aside)?

One word: "Infrastructure". Regeneration of Witham won't occur until our infrastructure develops. We need new health facilities in this area and we've needed them for over the past five years. The present Tory MP can talk the talk; however, we remain the only constituency in North Essex without hospital facilities.

6. Is there a policy or piece of legislation YOU would personally propose if elected which is not in your party’s manifesto?

I want a range of legislation aimed at fighting the cost-of-living-crisis which is happening in over 90% of households. The odds are stacked against large numbers of people in our community, with more stressful, insecure and poorly paid work.

Oh...if you wouldn't mind, 10 quick questions...

1. If I could give the younger me one piece of advice.... appreciate your parents and your brother more when you are younger, you'll miss them when they're gone.
2. The first record I bought was...Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd.
3. My most embarrassing moment was...splitting my trousers during my first week of teaching practice as a 21-year-old trainee teacher.
4. The special talent I wish I had is... to cure cancer. I've lost friends and family to cancer; I even survived skin cancer myself aged 28.
5. My guilty pleasure is... Dr. Who; I saw the first episode and I've followed it ever since.
6. My proudest moment was... representing Team GB, in my age group in duathlon.
7. What scares me is... there really is nothing to fear in life but fear itself.
8. If I had one day left to fulfil my bucket list... I would put my bucket list to one side and spend it with my wife Sue.
9. If I was stuck on a desert island (and my family were at home) I would be there with... my long term climbing partner Cerith Jones.
10. My most read book is... Gaston Rebuffat's 100 finest routes of the Mont Blanc Massif.