Shaun Bailey, Tory candidate for Lewisham West and Penge talks with EastLondonLines    Pic: Kudret Kahraman

Voters in Lewisham West and Penge can look forward to “different solutions to local issues” if they back the Conservatives on June 8, according to Shaun Bailey.

The constituency’s Tory candidate, who is also a London assembly member, spoke exclusively to Eastlondonlines this week regarding the differences between the application of Labour’s policies and his campaign.

Bailey highlighted, “the disparity between the Labour Party’s rhetoric to the reality of a Labour government”. He said: “Often the Labour Party asks the right questions but history shows they have never had the right answers.”

Concerning problems faced in Lewisham West and Penge, Bailey promised to provide “different solutions… from schools overcrowding and funding changes to crime to access to decent healthcare to affordable housing and a less chaotic commute.”

Intent on catering for everyone in the community, the parliamentary hopeful said: “I want older people to be secure in their retirement, young people to have access to training, employment and a future and every child to have an excellent education [and] every individual and every family to be able to afford decent housing.

“I also want to push the local council to do more and support the council to be ambitious.”

According to the former special advisor on youth and crime to the Prime Minister, what distinguishes him from his fellow candidates is “real world experience plus political experience at every level – from community organising, to working in senior positions in several government departments, to serving Londoners in City Hall.”

Referring to his background, 46-year-old Bailey said: “I came to politics through youth and community work and have worked for decades with many communities around London, from the young to the elderly and have learnt what works and what doesn’t.”

He said: “I attended an ordinary local comprehensive and have faced all the challenges that many people have – from affordable housing to decent employment.”

In 2010, Bailey stood for the Conservatives in Hammersmith and despite losing, was quickly appointed special advisor on youth and crime to the Prime Minister from 2010 to 2013.

The nation will head to the ballet on June 8 with the Conservatives currently topping the latest polls. However, the Conservatives are down four points with Labour having slashed their lead.