The Tolworth and Hook Rise byelection takes place alongside the General Election on May 7. Below are your candidates describing themselves and their plans for Tolworth and Hook Rise in their own words. 

Ronak PandyaConservative

Surrey Comet:

Hobbies and interests: Watching sports, music gigs and scuba diving. 

He says: “I am a solicitor living in Surbiton and I have worked hard to get to where I am today. Tolworth and Hook Rise is a vibrant, diverse ward which has been taken for granted by the Lib Dems. Many residents have worked hard and are proud to show the fruits of their endeavours. If elected, I aim to ensure that residents in Tolworth and Hook Rise are not forgotten about in Kingston, which is why I will work to make the Greenway safe, have rubbish and graffiti removed and fight inappropriate development. I will also hold monthly surgeries for residents.”

Tony Banks: Labour

Surrey Comet:

Hobbies and interests: Football, cinema, history, especially local history, walking

He says: “I am a lifelong resident – I went to Our Lady Immaculate school – and I care passionately about Tolworth and Chessington. I want to see the currently abysmal facilities in this part of the borough improved, and the Broadway revived. I want more affordable and social housing on the new Tesco development, and I have major concerns over increased traffic. Do we not want young people to be able to live here? Do we need another luxury development? The  Tolworth Tower development must be carefully monitored to ensure residential and retail units enhance the Broadway.”

Tom Davies: Lib Dem

Surrey Comet:

Hobbies and interests: Guitar, Crystal Palace, reading, aviation and military history

He says: “I was schooled in Tolworth, then at Hollyfield School. I have attended youth groups from Tolworth beavers, cubs and scouts, the Hook Swim School, to the air cadet squadron in Hook Rise North. I am a genuine part of this community and it matters to me. I learned while serving with the Metropolitan Police how important it is for communities to engage in the shaping of their community. I hope you will choose me to be your truly local representative and we can work to make sure our community is shaped in the way that best serves us together.”

Nik Way: Green

Surrey Comet:

Hobbies and interests: Poetry, theatre, literature, including Carlos Castaneda, Hunter S. Thompson and Hubert Selmy Jr.

He says: “Lots of people understand the Greens are passionate about the environment. While I recognise the need to safeguard our planet, that is not the reason I joined the Green Party. I joined because I believe our parliamentary system works for the few at the top, not ordinary people like you and me. I want to make Tolworth a better place for everyone. The Green Party can and will revitalise Tolworth high street and improve cycling links in the ward. If you elect me as councillor, I will never ever support any cuts to public services.”

Vic Bellamy: UKIP

Surrey Comet:

Hobbies and interests: Philately, history, English law, politics and sea fishing

He says: “I was born in Kingston, raised and educated in Chessington and apprenticed to a builder in Hook Rise. I am a painter and decorator and a former Grenadier Guardsman. I am one of two candidates in this election that lives in Tolworth and Hook Rise ward. I am standing because I believe I can represent you far better than past councillors who ignore the electorate’s wishes in favour of their parties’ national interests. It is a councillor’s duty to scrutinise what the council does with your community charge. These councillors say a great deal and yet do nothing.”

Mike Briggs: Independent

Surrey Comet:

Hobbies and interests: Music, running, cycling and swimming

He says: “I have lived in Priory Road, Chessington, for 14 years. I am married to Lisa and have four children aged between 12 and 21. I joined the army at 16 and trained as a chef. I served in the UK, British Army of the Rhine and Gibraltar. I am now a paramedic working for the NHS. I believe that councillors should be independent of party politics. Our representatives should be local people, that live in the ward they represent. I am one of only two candidates in Tolworth and Hook Rise who are residents of the ward. Vote for change, vote independent.”

Dan Celardi: TUSC

Surrey Comet:

Hobbies and interests: Reading, writing, history, swimming and politics 

He says: “It is not clear who will form the next Government. What is clear is that whatever government the establishment parties string together austerity will continue. We reject the idea that public services and the standard of living ordinary people should be cut. This society has plenty of money, it is simply in the wrong hands. I want to ask the community what they need and campaign for a budget based on that. We need campaigns in our communities to defend our services. That is what they did in Liverpool in the 1980s and they got an extra £20m from Thatcher.”