l FIVE candidates are standing in tomorrow's General Election in the hope of becoming MP for the Stratford constituency, which includes Alcester and Studley.

Contesting John Maples' seat, which he has held for the Conservatives since 1997, are Rachel Blackmore (Labour and Co-operative Party), Harry Cottam (UK Independence Party), Mick Davies (The Green Party) and Susan Juned (Liberal Democrat).

Polling booths will be open across the district from 7am until 10pm and results are expected early on Friday morning.

In the county council election, which is also being held tomorrow, votes will be counted on Friday.

John Maples

Conservative

JOHN Maples has been an MP since 1983 and has represented Stratford since 1997.

He lives in Brailes with his wife Jane and two children.

During his political career, he has held a variety of posts including deputy chairman of the Conservative Party and Shadow Foreign Secretary.

He was a Treasury minister in both Margaret Thatcher's and John Major's governments.

Locally, he has campaigned on issues including Alcester Hospital, mobile phone masts, village speed limits, Studley bypass and school buses and holds regular surgeries to hear about local concerns.

Mr Maples said: "It has been a great privilege and honour to serve the people of Stratford as their MP. It is a wonderful constituency with historic towns and lovely countryside.

"If I am re-elected, I will continue to fight for local interests as well as doing what I can to help individuals with their problems."

Rachel Blackmore

Labour & Co-operative Party

RACHEL Blackmore grew up in Warwickshire and is aware of the issues such as affordable housing and the need for help for first-time buyers.

She is also concerned about safeguarding local health services and says investment in schools and good local transport will be among her top priorities.

"Better facilities for youngsters and extra policing to make sure rural areas have a decent response time are also key issues," she said.

"Labour has delivered a stable economy, low interest rates and more income in retirement. Unemployment has fallen in the Stratford district by 45 per cent since 1997.

''Everyone should have a fair chance in life, regardless of their background, which is why I am standing for Labour.

''Come May 6, I would like to be giving the area a strong voice in a new Labour Government.''

Susan Juned

Liberal Democrat

SUSAN Juned lives in Alcester with her husband, Shahid, and has three grown- up children.

She began her political career in 1991 with a seat on Stratford District Council and two years later joined Warwickshire County Council. She was Liberal Democrat education spokesman for 11 years.

She was leader of the district council from 1997-2000 and fought the 2001 General Election where she brought about a 3.3 per cent swing to the Liberal Democrats.

She has been active in many local issues, supporting town and parish councils throughout her county and district wards.

A biologist by profession, with a PhD and MSc from Birmingham University, her main interests are sustainable development, biodiversity, agricultural crops and effective decision making.

She said: "My interests have always been for the area I live in and to do the best for the people who have supported me."

Mick Davies

Green Party

MICK Davies has lived in Wellesbourne for most of his life and has recently served on the parish council.

He is one of a growing number of Green Party candidates which, he believes, reflects a realisation of issues such as climate change.

He says he is concerned about the social and economic injustice that affects both urban and rural communities, particularly rising poverty and homelessness, and the lack of affordable housing.

"Many people are worried about antisocial behaviour.

''The Green Party's approach to this problem deals with the underlying causes including the erosion of strong local communities.

''It is also committed to reducing congestion by increasing investment in public transport," he said.

"The Green Party is the only party which is committed to long-term solutions. Every other party is only concerned with the next five years. The Green Party is concerned with the next 100 years.''

Harry Cottam

UKIP

HARRY Cottam is 40 years old and is a high street solicitor with his own practice in Birmingham.

He has lived with his wife Caron in Clifford Chambers since 1999.

He deals with ordinary people's problems every day and is familiar with the challenges faced by those running or employed by small businesses.

He said: "I believe in freedom from control by bureaucrats.

''UKIP is the only party that genuinely promotes freedom.

''We were against the Iraq War. We want voters to have more power and more money in their pockets, giving less to the politicians and bureaucrats trying to run their lives and rob their pockets.

''You may wonder why the three main parties don't appear to differ much in policies on so many issues. The council and the Government squanders council tax and taxes and the label doesn't make a difference. Voting UKIP will."