Diane Julie Abbott (The Labour Party Candidate)

Keith Angus (Liberal Democrats)

Darren Spencer Caplan (Conservatives)

Maxine Hargreaves (The Christian Party)

Knigel Knapp (Monster Raving Loony William Hill Party)

Suzanne Lynne Moore (independent)

Dr Jack Pope-de-Locksley (The Magna Carta Party)

Matthew William Sellwood (Green Party)

Paul Martin Shaer (independent)

Alessandra Williams (independent)

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Note: Hackney Citizen has endeavoured to contact all the candidates standing in this election. We have profiled all the candidates who replied to our queries and sent us the information we asked for.

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For more on the 2010 polls, see the Hackney Citizen’s comprehensive election coverage:

General Election 2010: What’s your question for your Hackney parliamentary candidates?

General Election 2010: your Hackney parliamentary candidates announced

Hackney Community College hosts Big Education Debate

Hackney elections 2010: the lowdown on the local and mayoral

A guide to the Hackney elections 2010

General Election 2010: you ask the questions

Boff bashed over zero cost mayor plan

Boff to be listed in Hackney mayoral booklet

Hackney Council rejects mayoral candidate’s election address

Candidates in place for Hackney mayoral race

Thursday 6 May: General and local elections for Hackney voters

Hackney mayoral candidate cleared over BNP complaint

Hackney local and Mayoral elections: Thursday 6 May

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Other websites with election-related content include:

www.2010generalelection.org.uk

www.voteforpolicies.org.uk

www.votematch.org.uk

www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

www.hustings.com

www.ukpollingreport.co.uk

www.votewise.co.uk

www.democracyclub.org.uk

www.politics.co.uk

www.thestraightchoice.org

www.yournextmp.com

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More politics from Hackney Citizen.

Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North & Stoke Newington

In 1987 Diane Abbott made history by becoming the first black woman ever elected to the British Parliament. She has since built a distinguished career as a parliamentarian, broadcaster and commentator.

Diane was born in London in 1953. She attended the grammar school Harrow County and then went on to Newnham College Cambridge, where she obtained a Masters degree in History.

On leaving Cambridge, Diane joined Government as a Home Office civil servant. She went on to work for the lobby group the National Council for Civil Liberties (now Liberty), and then became a journalist. She worked extensively as a freelancer and she went on to work as a reporter for the breakfast television company TV-AM and Thames Television. She also worked as a public relations consultant for various public sector clients.

Diane has served on a number of parliamentary committees on social and international issues. She was also elected onto the National Executive of the Labour Party. For most of the 1990s she served on the Treasury Select Committee of the House of Commons. She went on to serve on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

More recently she set up a special parliamentary committee investigating gun crime and she chairs the All Party Parliamentary British-Caribbean Group and the All Party Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Group. Diane’s work in Parliament has centred on education, crime, civil liberties, immigration and international affairs.

Diane is founder of the London Schools and the Black Child initiative, which aims to raise educational achievement levels amongst Black children. For this she hosts an annual conference for educators, children and their parents and an annual academic awards ceremony.

In 2008 Diane was awarded the Spectator/Threadneedle Speech of the Year Award and a Human Rights Award from Liberty.

Diane’s pledges

Standing up for my beliefs – I opposed the Iraq War, am against putting innocent people’s DNA on a government database and am against compulsory ID cards

A real Olympic legacy – I will continue to campaign for more jobs for local people on the Olympic site

Protecting services – Only a Labour government will protect our schools, hospitals and public services

Action on climate change – I will support even more action by my government to fight climate change

Gangs, guns and knives – I will continue to tackle the root causes of gun and knife crime in Hackney

Find out more about Diane Abbott.

Other candidates.

Note: this article was originally published 6 April 2010 and was then re-published 25 April 2010

Keith Angus is the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Hackney North.

He cares passionately about civil liberties, social justice and equality. His previous experience in politics includes his role as the Hackney Liberal Democrats’ parliamentary spokesperson.

Keith is also the governor of a state secondary school, with special responsibility for community cohesion.

He also serves on a Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education, representing the British Humanist Association.

Keith works as a senior project manager in the financial services industry, specialising in implementing large-scale projects and business change initiatives. He has a degree in Management, Economics and Psychology.

Hackney Liberal Democrats’ top ten priorities for 2010

1. Clean and open politics in Hackney

No more secrecy about your money: Liberal Democrat councillors will hold the council accountable for every action

We will publish all information that can be legally revealed, in clear text

No more £30,000 overseas jaunts for Labour members nor Hackney Council’s £10,000 stall at the national Labour conference – all paid for by you

2. The best policies for the environment

Taking climate change seriously – like Liberal Democrat-run Camden and Islington whose environmental policies have won national praise, including ‘UK Sustainability Councillor of the Year’

Introduce polluter pays parking; so the most polluting cars pay more to park whilst the least polluting pay less – like Liberal Democrat-run Islington Council

Make Hackney plastic bag free – by encouraging local shops to provide long-life bags from sustainable sources

Preserving Hackney’s heritage – by locally listing key historic buildings

3. Cutting crime in Hackney

Stopping it before it starts – more funding for voluntary groups and mentors to target those most likely to offend, and greater roll out of initiatives that break the cycle of youth re-offending, such as Hackney Diamond

Provide properly-funded community payback schemes for minor crime, proven to reduce re-offending

Cutting anti-social behaviour – effective council action, working with the police, to deal with the worst offenders

4. A fair start for young people

Developing more community-led sports and leisure opportunities – creating safe spaces for young people to meet, and keeping them off the streets

Supporting local work placement schemes to get young people into work and training

Implementing our national policy to cut class sizes, improve discipline and phase out student tuition fees

5. Fair taxes for all – and cutting taxes for local people

The Liberal Democrats are the only major party that will cut taxes for people on lower incomes

Nationally, we will scrap income tax for people earning less than £10,000

We will replace council tax with a fairer system based on your ability to pay

6. A fairer deal for tenants and leaseholders

Liberal Democrat councillors will listen to leaseholders and tenants through meaningful local residents’ groups that have real power, not just talking shops

Better management of the repairs service, getting repairs done faster and right first time

No more exorbitant service charge increases for leaseholders, without the quality of service improving, and no ‘major works’ imposed upon leaseholders at way-above market costs and without proper consultation

7. Cut the Mayor’s budget

The Labour Mayor’s salary and expenses have so far cost local people over a million pounds, including a recent pay rise despite the recession

The Liberal Democrats will slash the Mayor’s budget in half – and put your money back into your services

We will make the Mayor fully accountable by holding regular Mayor’s Question Times open to the public

8. A cycle scheme for Hackney

We will introduce a bike hire scheme in Hackney, for Hackney, run by the community

Create more secure parking spaces for bicycles

The Liberal Democrats were the first to successfully introduce city-wide 20mph speed limits on residential roads in parts of Britain and we intend to do the same in Hackney

We will offer training to cyclists and to lorry drivers to help reduce accidents

9. Strengthening community groups

The Liberal Democrats have always supported voluntary groups in our budgets as they provide best value for money services, use local expertise and builds local communities

We will provide more matched funding for community groups and work with the voluntary sector to create a future for Hackney, decided and delivered by Hackney residents

We will cut red tape and provide council officers’ time to community groups to secure funding from outside Hackney

10. Make the Olympics work for local people

Fight to make sure Hackney gets its fair share of jobs

Create opportunities for local residents to build the skills through volunteer and employment opportunities available

Support and develop grass-roots sports facilities for the long term – sport is not all about international competition, it is about local participation too

Create an enduring legacy for Hackney by putting Olympic land [that lies] within the borough into a community land trust

Find out more about Keith Angus on his website.

Other candidates.

Note: this article was originally published 26 March 2010 and was then re-published 25 April 2010.

Darren Caplan is the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Hackney North.

He has a professional background in communications and public affairs, and campaigns he has worked on include schools, hospitals, debt management, cleaner streets, regeneration and digital inclusion.

His past political experience includes working as a staffer/researcher to William Hague MP and Iain Duncan Smith MP; and as a researcher for the Conservative Group in Ealing Council.

Darren has been a school governor, and is currently a member of both the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and the Public Relations Consultancy Association Public Affairs Group, and director of the Association of Professional Political Consultants Management Board.

A selection of Darren Caplan’s policies:

In Hackney North and Stoke Newington

Making it easier for local business to trade and jobs to be created by reducing both the tax burden and red tape

Safer streets by directing more resources to police

Better schools by giving more powers to headmasters and teachers

Lower local and national taxes

Ensuring individuals and businesses have more say on how their hard-earned money is spent

More focused public spending

* Seeking cuts on bloated management and bureaucracy, so that taxpayer money goes to frontline services – schools and hospitals – as much as possible

A strong defence and approach to law and order

Ensuring our armed forces and police have whatever resources are necessary to do the job, to protect Britain from external terrorist threats and crime on our streets

More prisons and tougher sentences for violent crimes, in tandem with better rehabilitation for offenders

A Europe which works in Britain’s interests

No further powers to be ceded to the EU

Freedom

No to ID cards – a national DNA database which traps innocent people, and the snooping, surveillance society

Yes to smaller government, less state interference and free, more independent citizens

Find about more about Darren Caplan on his website.

Other candidates.

Knigel Knapp, Knight of the UnKnown Photo: davidxgreen.com

Knigel Knapp is the Monster Raving Loony party Shadow Minister for Blatant Lies and Big Fibs.

Knigel Knapp said, “I sing in a band called The Big Fibbers. At last. An honest politician. I’m going to be honest about the fact that I’m lying.

“Vote for me and I’ll make the world a better place, give everyone a free banana, do anything you want me to (all lies, lies, lies). Don’t normally vote – well, don’t vote normally – vote for the Monster Raving Loony party!

“A vote for The Monster Raving Loony party is the perfect protest vote.”

Some manifesto promises (or big fibs)

Transport

We will ban the bendy bus. They are too big and bendy – and they don’t even make accordian noises when they go round corners.

We want to bring in more cycle ways – across the rooftops of London.

We will build more canals (which will be good for the unemployment figures) and promote the use of floating bicycles.

Economy

The Tories say vote for change – we say No! We will bring in a 99p coin.

Law and order

We will abolish ASBOs and instead superglue young offenders together. If you can’t beat them – we’re not allowed to – join them.

Find out more about Knigel Knapp.

Other candidates.

Dr Jack Pope-de-Locksley, Magna Carta candidate for Hackney North

Dr Jack Pope-de-Locksley, who is as the Magna Carta Party candidate in Hackney North and Stoke Newington parliamentary constituency, has been described as ‘the scariest man in London’.

Dr Jack, as he likes to be called, is 56 and was born in Hackney, having descended, by his own account from King Arthur, DH Lawrence and the Red Baron.

He has served in the armed forces, including unspecified ‘black ops’.

His impressive accomplishments also include the title of a high priest of Wicca, a pagan religion and ‘King in Independent Wicca’.

In his spare time he runs London Horror Tours.

Pope-de-Locksley is standing “against Labour” and “for the Magna Carta Party”.

The Citizen is awaiting details of his policy positions on other matters of national concern.

Note: this article was updated 10.30pm Wednesday 5 May 2010 with the additional information below.

Dr Jack said, “The Magna Carta party was originally the Free Trade League set up 1972 by Mr David Wedgwood, and he stood against Lord Sutch.

“Policies: reduce tax – only payment in lieu of castle guard, old shield tax is legal, reduce welfare state; money does not grow on trees, business is what creates wealth.

“My local policies are: build a monorail to  the West End, and set up a countryside residential workshop to aid immigrants to find work.

“We will asses their skills, hone them, teach them new ones, plumbing, electrician, building etc, then give them a diploma and send them out to work.

“This is my view not the party’s view, which does not address the problem.

“Nor Labour’s idea that people are given a card to read and sign a pledge to be British at the airport.

“We must educate people in English as another skill at the workshop. there they can be instructed in British customs.

“Return the Union Jack to each school and have the kids sign the national anthem each day, learn to be British, return to our hereitage Give them Robin Hood, and King Arthur to read, and Dickens.

All this will lead people into being part of the community. not separate from it.”

Key manifesto pledges

Give one vote for the House of Lords for every £1,000 tax (as Plato intended)

Ensure banks and government balance their budgets and do not print money

Charity Commissioner to print money, only to supplement voluntary gifts and found, by one lumps sum, health housing, education, environment etc Charity Trusts

Reduce school leaving age by one year on alternate years

Introduce saleable environmental rights to property owners with New Commissioner for Environment to supersede building regulations

Repeal housing, building, marriage, drug, safety etc Acts

Make unsought advertising fraud

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Other candidates.

Matt Sellwood is the Green parliamentary candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington.

He grew up and went to school in south-east London, and then attended New College, Oxford, where he studied Modern History. He was elected as the city’s youngest councillor in 2004.

Matt Sellwood was Deputy Leader of Oxford City Council Green Group from 2004 to 2008, and served as an opposition member of the City Council Executive Board from 2005 to 2008. He was a member of the Green Party National Executive in 2005.

In 2008, he moved back to London to work for Friends of the Earth. He now lives in Stoke Newington is a freelance campaigner and writer on issues of environmental and social justice.

Matt Sellwood’s priorities

Tackling the unacceptable levels of poverty and poverty-related illness in the borough

Making Hackney a leading borough in combating climate change through green collar job creation and money- saving energy efficiency programmes

Creating a new, grassroots community-led politics

Supporting local businesses in the face of competition from large chains

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Matt Sellwood said, “I’m standing for Parliament because, now more than ever, Hackney needs fresh ideas and fresh hope. The increasing levels of poverty throughout the borough illustrate the failure of Labour policies in Hackney to address the issues that affect people’s everyday lives.

“The growing gap between rich and poor has become entrenched, and this just isn’t good enough from a national government and local council that pays such empty platitudes to equality and fairness.

“Increasing inequality throughout the borough illustrates the failure of the Labour party to address the issues that affect people’s everyday lives. It has failed dismally by its own standards.

“We need a Green New Deal for the borough and for the country. While unemployment rises and climate change becomes more urgent, the Green party’s policies can reduce poverty and create hundreds of jobs here in Hackney – and a million jobs nationwide – through renewable energy and energy efficiency programmes, while reducing carbon emissions and building a more sustainable future for us all.

“Now is not the time for tinkering around the edges of politics. Now is the time to vote for a party that offers communities a better Hackney, a party that isn’t squabbling over the same  politics that has failed us so badly, a party that speaks up for the people who really need a voice in Parliament. Only the Greens are bold enough to offer this promise.”

Find out more about Matt Sellwood on his website.

Other candidates.

Alessandra Williams, independent parliamentary candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington

Independent candidate Alessandra Williams is running for Hackney North and Stoke Newington on an anti-poverty ticket.

Her manifesto states: “Hackney is the second-poorest local authority in England and the most deprived borough in London.

“It is shocking that Hackney North and Stoke Newington, a borough 1.5 miles from the City of London and in one of the world’s richest capital cities, could be so impoverished and I am determined to do something about it.

“My aim is to work with organisations with a proven track record of success and change, as well as the local council, to raise Hackney’s socio-economic status above what it is at present.”

To break the link between poor housing and poverty Ms William’s first priority is to secure ring-fenced government funding to improve social housing in her constituency.

Equally important for Ms Williams is tackling unemployment through engagement with local business. She wants to introduce a Hackney Loyalty Card, which accumulates points whenever people shop with small businesses in Hackney North and Stoke Newington.

The candidate also promises better training for those lacking qualifications and more jobs connected to the Olympics.
Other policy priorities:

Lobby local government for an increased budget to improve security on the streets by introducing volunteer community officers recruited from the local community.

Maintain the unique character of the area through ‘I’m Hackney and I’m proud’ campaign.

Increase social and community cohesion.

Tackle gang culture through specifically designed projects with proven track records and by partnering with organisations that build self-esteem, self-determination and a sense of identity.

More about Alessandra Williams (note: external site)

Other candidates.

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Note: this article was originally published 15 April 2010 and was then re-published 25 April 2010.