21 questions with Warrington South candidates – including when they last cried

Read below for their answers.

Name: Faisal Rashid (Labour)

Age: 47

Education background: Master of Business Administration (National College of Business Administration and Economics, Lahore)

Profession: MP since 2017, before that I worked in the financial sector

Family life: I am married with kids 

What car do you drive? A low-emission C4 Citroen Picasso

Where did you last go on holiday? Wales

What was the last thing you ate? Muesli bar, campaign fuel! 

Have you ever taken illegal drugs? No

When was the last time you cried? In memory of my late mother 

What is your favourite book of all time? Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela’s autobiography  

What are your ties to the area you hope to represent? I was the town’s mayor and a councillor before that (being MP). I have a huge passion for Warrington and a commitment to the people of my town. 

Favourite restaurant/place to eat in the constituency? Wasabi Teppan-Yaki in Stockton Heath

Where do you do your food shopping? Lidl

Describe your perfect Friday night: Watching a movie with my family and eating popcorn

What’s your favourite drink? Orange cordial with lemonade 

Who is your favourite Warrington Wolves player (current squad or past)? Ben Westwood

What is the best place in the constituency in your opinion? Walton Gardens 

Do you think MPs should be allowed to hire their family members? No, and I certainly don’t 

Why do you deserve the gig? Since my election in 2017, I have given it my all to improve the lives of my constituents. I will always put the people of Warrington first. 

What do you think the biggest issue facing residents in the constituency is? A lack of public investment – our schools, police and health services are really struggling. 

In a sentence, what do you want to change if you are elected? I want to invest in our NHS and build a new hospital for Warrington, invest in our education system for the good of our children and create good jobs in our town by boosting local businesses.

Name: Andy Carter (Tory)

Age: 45

Education background: Nine GCSEs, four A-Levels and a degree in economics

Profession: I run my own small business working with manufacturers in Europe and India sourcing goods for UK retailers.

Family life: Married with one son and two dogs

What car do you drive? BMW

Where did you last go on holiday? My last family holiday was in early May and we took our son to Disney for a week.  

What was the last thing you ate? I’m filling this in after an evening canvassing session, so I have two lovely poached eggs on toast on the plate next to me. 

Have you ever taken illegal drugs? No

When was the last time you cried? You reach a point in life when you start to lose family members, there have been one or two of those recently.

What is your favourite book of all time?  I honestly can’t say I have a favourite book but I do like to read when I’m on holiday, sometimes autobiographies but usually a crime thriller I can get completely lost in.

What are your ties to the area you hope to represent? This is my home area, we decided to move here 12 years ago, it’s a wonderful place to live with my family. 

I’ve become involved with all kinds of things in our community, from organising carol singing at Christmas to supporting our local junior football team where my son plays on Saturday mornings. 

I’m a school governor in Warrington and have been actively involved in the Southern Parish Working Group to change the borough council’s plan. 

Favourite restaurant/place to eat in the constituency: My favourite meal is a Sunday roast and I love the Little Manor in Thelwall, who do fantastic Yorkshire puddings.

Where do you do your food shopping? Depends, sometimes it’s an online delivery or we go to Sainsbury's or Co-op just down the road. We use the farm shop for fruit veg and eggs at Warburton and I like bread from Sextons, our local baker in Lymm.

Describe your perfect Friday night: After a busy week I quite like a sofa night, takeaway and something good on the TV.  I’m back into watching The Crown at the moment on Netflix and we’ve re-watched some old editions of Gavin & Stacey, which I still think are brilliant and I’m looking forward to watching the new episode on Christmas Day.

What’s your favourite drink? I love a cup of tea, I tend to drink more tea than anything else!

Who is your favourite Warrington Wolves player? I’ll have to go for Daryl Clark, he certainly deserved the man of the match trophy at the Challenge Cup Final earlier this year. 

    
What is the best place in the constituency in your opinion? The great thing about Warrington South is that you have lovely villages, open country and a bustling town centre.  My favourite place for thinking and switching off while we walk the dogs is along the Bridgewater Canal, which is a slightly slower pace! 

Do you think MPs should be allowed to hire their family members? No, there have been changes to rules to stop new MPs from recruiting their family into jobs, which is something I fully support.   

Why do you deserve the gig? If voters in Warrington South want someone who has a track record of getting things done, who respects local views, cares about the issues in this area and who will put politics aside and work cross-party when necessary to achieve the right outcomes, they’ll vote for me to be their representative in Parliament.  

What do you think the biggest issue facing residents in the constituency is? The biggest issue which we have to resolve is Brexit, it affects every constituency and having gone round in circles for the last three years we need an urgent resolution so we can focus on investing in public services like our hospital, police and schools as well as securing affordable homes or future generations and tackling climate change.

In a sentence, what do you want to change if you are elected? Many people have told me they’ve lost trust in our politicians, I hope I can change that viewpoint by delivering on the Brexit referendum result and then investing in our public services by supporting our police, schools and the wonderful NHS.

Name: Ryan Bate (Liberal Democrat)

Age: 32

Education background: Studied up to A-level at Lymm High School, then Lancaster University, teacher training at Manchester Met

Profession: Teacher

Family life: Single

What car do you drive? Volkswagen T-Roc

 
Where did you last go on holiday? Portugal

What was the last thing you ate? A baguette!

Have you ever taken illegal drugs? No

When was the last time you cried? When Warrington Town lost in the super play-off.

What is your favourite book of all time? David McCullough’s biography of John Adams.

What are your ties to the area you hope to represent? I’m Warrington born and bred!

Favourite restaurant/place to eat in the constituency: Zalo’s or Spicy Ginger in Latchford

Where do you do your food shopping? Tesco

Describe your perfect Friday night: A visit to Grappenhall village’s wonderful pubs

What’s your favourite drink? A pint of Guiness, or a coke

Who is your favourite Warrington Wolves player? Has to be the legend Ben Westwood

What is the best place in the constituency in your opinion? I’m slighted biased, but Church Lane in Grappenhall is stunning.

Do you think MPs should be allowed to hire their family members? If they’re truly the best person for the job.

Why do you deserve the gig? I have a track record of fighting for my area and I care about the future of my hometown.

What do you think the biggest issue facing residents in the constituency is? Getting a fair deal from government – local and national!

In a sentence, what do you want to change if you are elected? More power for people in Warrington, so they get the resources they need and have a say on the future of their communities. For example, getting a local plan that really works for the people of Warrington South. 

Name: Clare Aspinall (Brexit Party)

Age: 44

Education background: GCSE, OU, professional qualifications 

Profession: Programme management consultant specialist in infrastructure 

Family life: Husband, two kids aged five and seven, numerous pets

What car do you drive? Hyundai 

Where did you last go on holiday? Center Parcs, UK

What was the last thing you ate? Bran Flakes

Have you ever taken illegal drugs? No

When was the last time you cried? Last week, daughter announced she was in a pickle. First calm thing she has said in an indoor voice for a while. Tears of joy.

What is your favourite book of all time? Too many to choose from, currently reading a crime thriller. 

What are your ties to the area you hope to represent? My family, husband born and bred Warringtonian. Family still in the area. Warrington Wolves. 

Favourite restaurant/place to eat in the constituency: There are a few pubs as we always have the children, The Waterside, The Stag and The Travellers Rest. 

Where do you do your food shopping? Sainsbury’s 

Describe your perfect Friday night: Home match at Warrington, daughter is a big fan. Followed by sleep. 

What’s your favourite drink? Tea

Who is your favourite Warrington Wolves player? Stefan Ratchford and, from the past, Les Boyd

What is the best place in the constituency in your opinion? Town centre, it’s vibrant and friendly. 

Do you think MPs should be allowed to hire their family members? No

Why do you deserve the gig? I am not a career politician, we need MPs who have real life experience. I believe in the UK and what we can achieve unshackled from the EU. I have a common sense approach and a strong work ethic. I want to see equality of opportunity for all no matter what someone’s background. 

What do you think the biggest issue facing residents in the constituency is? The green belt, the hospital and Brexit.

In a sentence, what do you want to change if you are elected? Regional investment, funding for schools, infrastructure investment, political reform, animal welfare, proper engagement with voters and bringing the gravy train to a stop.

Name: Kevin Hickson (Social Democratic Party)

Age: 44

Education background: Degree (University of Warwick) and PhD (University of Southampton)

Profession: University lecturer

Family life: Single

What car do you drive? Honda Civic

Where did you last go on holiday? USA, though normally holiday in the UK

What was the last thing you ate? Chips

Have you ever taken illegal drugs? No

When was the last time you cried? Remembrance Day 

What is your favourite book of all time? George Orwell's '1984'

What are you ties to the area you hope to represent? Born and still live in Cheshire, work in Liverpool, know Warrington and the surrounding area well. Firmly rooted in the north west.

Favourite restaurant/place to eat in the constituency: The Woodlands, though there are also several excellent curry houses.

Where do you do your food shopping? Morrisons

Describe your perfect Friday night: Drink and a meal with friends

What’s your favourite drink? Tea

Who is your favourite Warrington Wolves player? Daz Clark

What is the best place in the constituency in your opinion? The town centre and the green belt (which is why it should be maintained!)

Do you think MPs should be allowed to hire their family members? No - it is important that all posts are advertised and the most appropriate people are picked.

Why do you deserve the gig? I will be a strong, independent voice for Warrington South, not told what to do by party whips. I will always put the needs of my constituents first.

What do you think the biggest issue facing residents in the constituency is? Housing - we need more and better social housing and genuinely affordable housing.

In a sentence, what do you want to change if you are elected? Respect for working-class families - by delivering the Brexit they voted for and creating an economy that works for everyone.