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Southend-on-Sea Borough: Leigh ward · by topic

Defence, foreign affairs and the EU

Every candidate, in ballot-paper order.

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Describe a household to see only what applies to it. Optional.Open
0 of 7 chosen
Age
Adults in the household
Children or dependants
Housing
Household income before tax, per year
Work
Studying
Optional: a few more things some policies refer to. Leave blank and nothing is assumed.
Anyone in the household is disabled or has a long-term health condition
Anyone in the household is an unpaid carer
Anyone in the household is on a UK visa, or seeking asylum
The household receives any means-tested benefit (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, etc.)
The household owns or regularly drives a car
Anyone in the household has served in the armed forces
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What the tags mean

Source: Own wordsSource: ManifestoSource: Leaflet what candidates and parties publish themselves. Source: Public recordSource: Third party a public record, or someone else’s report. Candidate statements and leaflets are published as written; we check they are real, not that they are true.

  1. 1Paul GilsonConservative and Unionist Party

    Paul Gilson hasn’t published anything themselves on this that we could find. Conservative and Unionist Party’s national policy, not Paul Gilson’s own commitment:

    What they say Source: Manifesto

    The Conservatives' 2024 manifesto pledged defence spending of 2.5% of GDP by 2030.

    In their exact words Source: Manifesto

    Boost defence spending to our new NATO standard of 2.5% of GDP by 2030, so we can protect British interests at home and abroad in an increasingly hostile world.
    Sourced: The Conservative and Unionist Party Manifesto 2024: Clear Plan, Bold Action, Secure Future, 11 June 2024
    Boost defence spending to our new NATO standard of 2.5% of GDP by 2030, so we can protect British interests at home and abroad in an increasingly hostile world.

    The Conservative and Unionist Party Manifesto 2024: Clear Plan, Bold Action, Secure Future, Conservative Party, published 11 June 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2026. Archived copy. https://public.conservatives.com/static/documents/GE2024/Conservative-Manifesto-GE2024.pdf

    Explain this (1 term)
    Manifesto
    A party's published programme for an election, setting out what it says it would do.

    Plain-English definitions of what the term means, not whether the policy is a good idea.

    What they say Source: Manifesto

    The Conservative Party's current plan says it is pressing for defence spending of 3% of GDP now rather than in 2031.

    In their exact words Source: Manifesto

    We are pushing Labour to spend 3% of GDP on defence now, not in 2031
    Sourced: Our Plan for Britain
    We are pushing Labour to spend 3% of GDP on defence now, not in 2031

    Our Plan for Britain, Conservative Party. Retrieved 18 September 2026. Archived copy. https://www.conservatives.com/our-plan-for-britain

    What they say Source: Manifesto

    The Conservative Party pledged to support service personnel through a new Armed Forces Housing Association.

    In their exact words Source: Manifesto

    Support service personnel through a new Armed Forces Housing Association

    What this could mean for you

    This would apply to you if: someone has served in the armed forces.

    Sourced: Our Plan for Britain
    Support service personnel through a new Armed Forces Housing Association

    Our Plan for Britain, Conservative Party. Retrieved 18 September 2026. Archived copy. https://www.conservatives.com/our-plan-for-britain

    2 more

    What they say Source: Manifesto

    The Conservative Party pledged a Tax Free Reservists Scheme with the aim of growing the Armed Forces Reserves to 50,000 personnel.

    In their exact words Source: Manifesto

    Introduce a Tax Free Reservists Scheme. To grow Britain's Armed Forces Reserves to 50,000 personnel, strengthening our nation's security while recognising the enormous contribution made by our reservists.
    Sourced: Our Plan for Britain
    Introduce a Tax Free Reservists Scheme. To grow Britain's Armed Forces Reserves to 50,000 personnel, strengthening our nation's security while recognising the enormous contribution made by our reservists.

    Our Plan for Britain, Conservative Party. Retrieved 18 September 2026. Archived copy. https://www.conservatives.com/our-plan-for-britain

    What they say Source: Manifesto

    The Conservative Party pledged to reallocate up to £50 billion of funding currently spent on environmental projects to defence through a Sovereign Defence Fund.

    In their exact words Source: Manifesto

    Prioritise investment in defence by reallocating up to £50 billion of funding currently spent on costly environmental projects through a Sovereign Defence Fund
    Sourced: Our Plan for Britain
    Prioritise investment in defence by reallocating up to £50 billion of funding currently spent on costly environmental projects through a Sovereign Defence Fund

    Our Plan for Britain, Conservative Party. Retrieved 18 September 2026. Archived copy. https://www.conservatives.com/our-plan-for-britain

  2. 2Simon GittusGreen Party

    Simon Gittus hasn’t published anything themselves on this that we could find. Green Party’s national policy, not Simon Gittus’ own commitment:

    What they say Source: Manifesto

    The Green Party's 2024 manifesto pledged to rejoin the EU when political conditions allow.

    In their exact words Source: Manifesto

    Re-join the EU as soon as the political conditions are right.
    Sourced: Green Party Manifesto 2024: A Fairer, Greener World, 12 June 2024
    Re-join the EU as soon as the political conditions are right.

    Green Party Manifesto 2024: A Fairer, Greener World, Green Party of England and Wales, published 12 June 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2026. Archived copy. https://greenparty.org.uk/about/our-manifesto/a-fairer-greener-world/

    Explain this (1 term)
    Manifesto
    A party's published programme for an election, setting out what it says it would do.

    Plain-English definitions of what the term means, not whether the policy is a good idea.

    What they say Source: Manifesto

    The Green Party's 2024 manifesto pledged to sign the UN nuclear-weapons prohibition treaty and cancel Trident.

    In their exact words Source: Manifesto

    Push for the UK to sign the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and following this to immediately begin the process of dismantling our nuclear weapons, cancelling the Trident programme and removing all foreign nuclear weapons from UK soil.
    Sourced: Green Party Manifesto 2024: A Fairer, Greener World, 12 June 2024
    Push for the UK to sign the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and following this to immediately begin the process of dismantling our nuclear weapons, cancelling the Trident programme and removing all foreign nuclear weapons from UK soil.

    Green Party Manifesto 2024: A Fairer, Greener World, Green Party of England and Wales, published 12 June 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2026. Archived copy. https://greenparty.org.uk/about/our-manifesto/a-fairer-greener-world/

    Explain this (3 terms)
    Manifesto
    A party's published programme for an election, setting out what it says it would do.
    Trident
    The UK's nuclear weapons system, carried on submarines.
    Tpnw
    The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which the UK has not signed.

    Plain-English definitions of what the term means, not whether the policy is a good idea.

  3. 3Lydia Ann HydeLabour Party

    Lydia Ann Hyde hasn’t published anything themselves on this that we could find. Labour Party’s national policy, not Lydia Ann Hyde’s own commitment:

    What they say Source: Manifesto

    Labour's 2024 manifesto ruled out a return to the EU single market, customs union or freedom of movement.

    In their exact words Source: Manifesto

    There will be no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement.
    Sourced: Labour Party Manifesto 2024: Britain reconnected, 13 June 2024
    There will be no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement.

    Labour Party Manifesto 2024: Britain reconnected, Labour Party, published 13 June 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2026. Archived copy. https://labour.org.uk/change/britain-reconnected/

    Explain this (1 term)
    Manifesto
    A party's published programme for an election, setting out what it says it would do.

    Plain-English definitions of what the term means, not whether the policy is a good idea.

    What they say Source: Manifesto

    Labour's 2024 manifesto pledged steadfast military, financial and diplomatic support for Ukraine.

    In their exact words Source: Manifesto

    With Labour, the UK’s military, financial, diplomatic and political support for Ukraine will remain steadfast.
    Sourced: Labour Party Manifesto 2024: Britain reconnected, 13 June 2024
    With Labour, the UK’s military, financial, diplomatic and political support for Ukraine will remain steadfast.

    Labour Party Manifesto 2024: Britain reconnected, Labour Party, published 13 June 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2026. Archived copy. https://labour.org.uk/change/britain-reconnected/

    Explain this (1 term)
    Manifesto
    A party's published programme for an election, setting out what it says it would do.

    Plain-English definitions of what the term means, not whether the policy is a good idea.

    What they say Source: Manifesto

    Labour's 2024 manifesto committed to recognising a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution.

    In their exact words Source: Manifesto

    We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.
    Sourced: Labour Party Manifesto 2024: Britain reconnected, 13 June 2024
    We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

    Labour Party Manifesto 2024: Britain reconnected, Labour Party, published 13 June 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2026. Archived copy. https://labour.org.uk/change/britain-reconnected/

    Explain this (1 term)
    Manifesto
    A party's published programme for an election, setting out what it says it would do.

    Plain-English definitions of what the term means, not whether the policy is a good idea.

Each summary is a reading aid; the exact quotation under “Sourced” is the record. Back to all candidates.

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