INTERVIEW WITH SWANSEA EAST LABOUR CANDIDATE CAROLINE HARRIS
Why should people of Swansea East vote for you?
I have lived in the area all my life and I know – and have experienced first hand – many of the issues the people of Swansea East are dealing with. I stand on my record of getting things done over the last four years both locally and nationally and there is plenty more that I still want to achieve.
For anybody who does not follow politics much, can you please give a bit of background to yourself?
I was born in Manselton but also spent a lot of time in Landore and Portmead whilst growing up. I left school at 16 and went to work in the DVLA. I started my family young and worked as a barmaid in the Cymfelin Social Club when my children were small. After losing my eldest son in 1989, I worked as a dinner lady in what was then Dyfatty Special School. I went to University in 1994 and graduated in 1998 and spent the next eight years working in the charity sector. I started the first job that would give me a pension in 2005, working for my predecessor Sian James. I have learnt the craft of being a Politician from the inside out and am now confident that when I set my mind to something I will achieve it. Since being elected I have introduced legislation that ensures the Government will pay for children’s funerals across the UK. I have tackled the gambling industry and the harm and exploitation of vulnerable people and been successful in neutralising the effects of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals. I have now turned my attention to online gambling. I have also been successful in drawing attention to the dangers of unsafe and counterfeit electrical goods. I am a champion of 1950’s women who have suffered pension injustice and continue to seek a resolution for them all. In the constituency, I have established a scheme to help families make ends meet during the school holidays. I have run Kids Lunch Clubs for the last 3 summers – providing a record 12,000 meals this year. I have also organised Christmas hampers and parties for low income families, children and pensioners right across Swansea East.
What would be your main aims if you get re-elected as a MP for Swansea East?
To carry on what I have started, putting Swansea East first. My priorities, if I am re-elected, will be a swift return to Westminster and to the work I have started on the Domestic Abuse Bill, online gambling and supporting vulnerable women. But not before I have sorted out the hampers and parties for the people of Swansea East this Christmas.
What is your position on Brexit?
To not let Brexit dominate this election and allow the Tories to get away with the harm they have caused with their austerity agenda over the last ten years.
How is the mood talking to people on the doorstep and what is coming up most?
People are telling me they are frightened of what Boris is capable of and that they are worried that they are going to experience more hardship if things don’t change. Specific issues have been TV licences for pensioners, problems with Universal Credit and PIP payments and low income families relying on food banks.
A lot of people when you talk to them about politics tend to say they don’t know very much about it, do you think that there is a lot of smoke and mirrors and not much access to just good honest politics?
Personally, I am a very down to Earth and approachable person so for my constituents I’d like to think this isn’t an issue. My politics is all about protecting the people I represent.
Do you think the BBC Is impartial and on a similar sort of thing what is you feelings on John Bercow?
All media outlets are capable of using their power to influence which can cause unnecessary media storms. I have always found John to be very supportive of backbenchers and during the time when I was asking for the Children’s Funeral Fund, which involved making emotional speeches, he was reassuring, humble and a good friend to me.
