We contacted all of the candidates vying for your vote to be the next MP for the Glastonbury and Somerton constituency, asking each of them the same questions. We've taken their responses exactly as they were sent to us - so you know where each of the candidates stands to help you decide who to vote for.

Here are their responses to the question:

How will you ensure that the voices of Wells and the Mendip Hills residents are heard in Parliament? What are your plans for engaging with the community and informing constituents about your work and decisions?

Jon Cousins (Green Party):

As your Green MP, I will ensure that local voices are heard by maintaining an active presence in the community. I will hold regular surgeries, attend local events, and be accessible to residents. I will also establish a local advisory board consisting of representatives from various community groups to provide ongoing feedback and ensure that the concerns of all constituents are addressed. Transparency and open communication will be key principles in my work as your MP.

Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrats):

Since taking up my seat in Parliament last autumn, I've worked tirelessly on behalf of constituents and spoken in the Chamber on 94 occasions. The Conservative MP elected on the same day as me spoke a total of 27 times and the Labour MP 31. I have a proven track record of standing up for my community, campaigning to save local bus routes, pushing the Prime Minister for an update on the proposed station for the Somerset Levels, and holding the Government to account for allowing raw sewage to be dumped in our rivers and streams. If I have the privilege of being elected as the first MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, I will continue to amplify the voice of residents in Westminster and be available to constituents locally at surgeries, one-to-one meetings, and community events. In the eleven months since the by-election, my team and I have resolved nearly 7,000 items of casework. I have held regular surgeries and toured constituency villages, reaching out to residents where they live.

Hal Hooberman (Labour):



I will be the most accessible Member of Parliament our local community has ever seen. During this campaign, I have knocked on doors every single day. If elected, I will continue in this vein. I will root myself amongst you - with regular public meetings, one-to-one surgeries, and a high street office accessible to you. I have worked for an MP - I know the power that MPs have to make a real difference for local people. In everything I do - it will be for you.

Faye Purbrick (Conservative):

No response received.

Tom Carter (Reform UK):

No response received.

What are the most pressing issues facing local residents in the constituency? How do you plan to address them?

Jon Cousins (Green Party):

The most pressing issues facing our community include affordable housing, access to healthcare, and sustainable economic development. As your Green MP, I will work to provide good quality, affordable, social housing and push for developments that include necessary infrastructure. I will advocate for improved healthcare services, including mental health support, and support local businesses through Green policies that promote sustainable economic growth.

Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrats):

I will continue to lobby Somerset Council and Somerset Integrated Care Board to make sure that residents have better access to a pharmacy in Glastonbury. I have already met with Somerset Local Pharmaceutical Committee to discuss the perilous state of pharmacy funding, I've spoken in Parliament on this issue, and I'm addressing the community pharmacy crisis at all levels. The lack of NHS dentists is affecting the whole community and can't be ignored. I'll continue to push for reform of the NHS dental contract, guaranteed access to an NHS dentist for everyone needing urgent and emergency care, and supervised toothbrushing training for children in nurseries and schools. I'll continue to work on the connectivity of and access to public transport across Somerset, to encourage more people to leave their cars at home. I'm determined to get an update on the proposed train station for the Somerton / Langport area and will table a ministerial question to the incoming government at the earliest possible opportunity.

Hal Hooberman (Labour):

Number one for me is the lack of social and properly affordable housing, as I have said above. I know what it is like to grow up round here but be unable to stay near my family due to the lack of work and suitable, affordable housing. We need to dramatically increase housing supply - both social and affordable. To do just this, Labour will build 1.5mn new homes over the next Parliament by immediately update planning laws, restoring mandatory housing targets, hiring 300 new planning officers, building on brownfield and releasing the low-quality 'grey belt' for building. I will proudly champion social housing. I am excited by Labour's plan to prioritise the building of new social rented houses and to protect newly-built social homes from the right to buy. Having said all of this, development must not be just for development's sake. We have seen far too much of that in our beautiful part of Somerset. So, underpinning all of this will be a set of 'golden rules' to ensure developments benefit local communities. To this end, Labour will give first-time buyers priority on buying new homes.

Faye Purbrick (Conservative):

No response received.

Tom Carter (Reform UK):

No response received.