In the meet the candidate hot seat today is Kelly-Marie Blundell, who is fighting to win back the Lewes seat for the Liberal Democrats.

The Argus (TA): What is the biggest single issue in the constituency you are standing in?

Kelly-Marie Blundell (K-MB): The NHS remains the number one issue for the people of the constituency of Lewes. Our towns and villages rely on hospitals outside the constituency, with degrading transport links and little emergency care that is easy to reach. Our doctors’ surgeries are at capacity, people are genuinely concerned the NHS is underfunded. They are also very unhappy with the Conservatives, who scrapped nursing bursaries and have continued to cut funding for the greatest institution in the UK.

I am committed to introducing a penny in the pound income tax which will be ringfenced for the NHS and to stop it being used as a political football. What we need is a cash injection to support the people across our constituency.

TA: Do you believe that Brexit can bring about a positive change to Sussex?

K-MB: With negotiations only just beginning, it is difficult to estimate the impact on Sussex. What is clear is that if the Conservatives pursue a hard Brexit and take us out of the single market and the Customs Union, it will have a devastating impact on our economy and our farming communities, losing EU subsidies and having to work with imposed trade tariffs.

As the majority voted remain in Lewes, we cannot escape Brexit discussions in this election. Many people are unhappy with the hostile approach Theresa May has made towards negotiations and believe that leaving the single market will have a disastrous affect on our economy. I am committed to giving people a vote on the final deal on Brexit.

TA: Who will win this election?

K-MB: With Labour plagued by infighting, the Conservatives will win a majority. What is important to the people of Lewes constituency, however, is having an MP who is local, who can stand up for our towns and villages and make sure our voices are heard in Parliament going forward.

TA: Who is your political hero and why?

K-MB: Charles Kennedy. Without a doubt, he was one of the most innovative and brilliant politicians we have ever seen. He was not afraid to go against the grain, fighting Labour’s desire to take us into an illegal war.

We need more people in politics who are led by their beliefs, not by what the party or the majority says. And you would never have caught Charles Kennedy using vague statements in his campaigning.

TA: What has been the best moment you have had out campaigning?

K-MB: It has to be cutting a student’s hair for charity. Michael Choder is a pupil at Plumpton Agricultural College and got in touch as he was going to cut off his shoulder length hair for the Little Princess Trust. Michael has raised more than £400 for the charities as a result. It was an honour to to meet such a committed and inspiring young man committed to making the world a better place.

TA: Is this election necessary considering we already have a majority government that was due to run until 2020?

K-MB: I completely welcome the election, we face the biggest constitutional shake-up since Cromwell. Post the EU referendum, people need to elect the right people to represent them in Parliament as we go forward into negotiations. In the constituency of Lewes this means electing the right MP to reflect the majority remain vote, and to make sure there is a strong opposition to the Conservative government to ensure the voices of 16 million people who voted remain are heard.

TA:Can voters be confident that our current system is the best way to select a government?

K-MB: I’m a big supporter of proportional representation, allowing people to vote with their hearts not with tactical voting. A change to this system would give everyone a voice.