Paula Wibrew interviews Kerena Marchant Basingstoke Labour Parliamentary Candidate about why she is standing to be MP in Basingstoke and what inspires her most.

Paula: What made you what to stand for parliament as an MP?

Kerena: It was just one of those moments, when you have a bad day, and you listen to some rubbish being spouted by a Tory politician on the TV who just doesn’t understand real life, or care about people. I got so mad – I thought – I need to do something. So, I applied to Basingstoke, and was lucky enough to get selected. I just feel its time ordinary people have their voices heard in parliament.

Paula: What do you think you can bring as a candidate?

Kerena: Experience of the real world. As a working mum of a disabled teenager and the daughter of a widowed pensioner I really understand the day to day struggles of life.
As a deaf person I understand just how tough it can be when the system seems to be against you. I have been a successful campaigner on issues such as fracking and disabled rights. Through my work as a television producer I have come face to face with the many difficulties people face in their daily lives.
So I would say I have a shared understanding with ordinary people in Basingstoke, much more than Maria Miller.

Paula: Being deaf must make things hard, where do you get your inspiration from?

Kerena: There have been so many sources of inspiration, my parents especially. My step- father was a great inspiration to me. He worked for the NHS all his life as a dentist, refusing to take on more lucrative private practice.
His love and defence of the NHS stays with me. Sadly, he spent his last days on a hospital trolley and that’s why I am so passionate about fixing the problems the Tories have caused in the NHS.

I want to be the kind of MP that listens to people, works hard for them and if I am elected I will have my constituency office in central Basingstoke so people can access me.