Response from Adrian Bailey, the Labour Candidate

1.What is your view of the Christian faith?
Positive force for good and community cohesion. Great comfort and inspiration for many

2.How do you decide if something is right or wrong?
By reference to personal value (largely Christian) and the law.

3.What role do you think Christian values have to play in contemporary society?
Important force for binding communities and protecting those who most need it.

4.Do you believe that marriage is for a man and a woman alone, for life?
Not necessarily. I feel that the values and commitment of marriage should not be confined to the heterosexual community.

5.Do you accept that people who believe heterosexual marriage is the only proper context for a sexual expression should be free to say so without falling foul of the law or losing their jobs?
Yes.

6.Do you believe that churches should be free only to employ people whose beliefs and lifestyle are in accordance with Christian teaching?
In theory yes but I feel that there is an issue around interpretation.

7.Do you believe that parents should be free to exercise their responsibilities to discipline their children, physically (i.e. free to smack their children)?

Yes within certain legal limits. I believe we need to invest more in parenting skills to avoid recourse to such an approach. I believe that a total ban would be impractical and run the risk of potentially criminalising parents who would be considered good and responsible.

8.Who should be responsible for providing children with a ‘suitable’ education? (and how do you define ‘suitable’?)
The State. Define as education specific to a child's needs.

9.Do you believe that the current law on abortion is too lax, too restrictive or about right?
About right.

10.Do you think that the law on euthanasia should be changed?
No.

11.What aspects of life in our nation or in Tipton do you think politicians have responsibility for?
I believe that a politician needs to identify and understand the needs of constituents, campaign for them and promote the necessary financial and legislative framework for realising them.

12.Are there any aspects of life in our nation or in Tipton you think politicians should not take responsibility for?
I believe that there is a balance between what a politician should accept responsibility for and what individuals should accept as personal responsibilities. The Government should pursue policies which enable individuals to understand and take opportunities available for them whilst accepting a wider responsibility to the community.

13.What aspects of your character and your life do you believe qualify you for serving as an MP for West Bromwich West?
Perseverance and a commitment to working on behalf of constituents bot individually and collectively.

14.Why should the people of West Bromwich West give you their votes at this General Election?
I represent a political party and government that is committed to improving the lives of people. Locally, enormous improvements have been made in schools, the health service and policing and raising living standard of the most vulnerable. There is still more to be done and I believe that the Labour Party is best equipped and experienced to achieve this. On a personal level I have demonstrated a commitment to raising local issues in Parliament and have a track record of defending and supporting local manufacturing which is so important in the area. I have also sought to support local churches, voluntary organisations and charities committed to the betterment of the area and frequently highlighted their contribution in Parliament.

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