With the General Election on the horizon, News Shopper has been asking local candidates for their positions on key issues in this election.

Clive Efford for the Labour Party, Matt Hartley for the Conservatives, and David Hall-Matthews for the Liberal Democrats are standing in Eltham for election.

In the second half of our questions, we asked them for their stances on key policy areas from the housing, Brexit, environment and their favourite movie ahead of the vote on June 8.

Part 1: These are Eltham candidates' views on the NHS, education, crime and local issues this General Election 2017.

News Shopper:

Left to right, Matt Hartley for the Conservatives, Clive Efford for the Labour Party, and David Hall-Matthews for the Liberal Democrats.

  • Housing

News Shopper: Clive Efford: I have always advocated building social housing at rents people can afford. If this had been done, housebuilding under this government would not have fallen to its lowest level since the 1920s. The failure to build the homes we need has made house prices and rents soar out of reach of local people.

Matt Hartley: We all know that the housing market isn’t working for local people. We of course need to ensure developments are appropriate and in the right places, but we also cannot stand in the way of building the homes we need. We also need much more affordable housing in our borough to both rent and buy – both of which will be key priorities under a Conservative government.

David Hall-Matthews: The market is broken and has failed to deliver. Many young people in particular are finding it virtually impossible to get on the housing ladder. At the same time, homes are sitting empty and plots of land bought by developers are not being used. That is why we are setting out radical plans to fix the housing crisis. The Lib Dems would take action to bring in contractors and build 300,000 homes as a matter of urgency. A Conservative landslide would allow the government to take people for granted, meaning years more soaring rents and failure to build enough affordable housing.

  • Brexit

News Shopper: Clive Efford: I campaigned to remain in the European Union, but I will abide by the outcome of the referendum. I am angry about the false claims made during the campaign such as Boris Johnson promising we would have an extra £350 million per week for our NHS. I will work with whoever is in government to get the best deal for ordinary people. A House of Commons full of rabid leavers who do not value good relationships with our European neighbours will risk a disastrous outcome for the country.

Matt Hartley: Like a lot of people in Eltham, I voted for Brexit. Last year I was the only elected representative in our borough to campaign to Leave the EU – and if elected, I will give Theresa May my full support in making Brexit a success. Just as important, however, is bringing our community and our country back together after a referendum that was far too divisive on both sides. As our MP, bringing people together will always be a big priority for me.

David Hall-Matthews: Nothing is more important to our children’s future than Brexit. A bad Brexit deal, with Britain outside the Single Market, will wreck the future for our children, our economy and our schools and hospitals. That’s why I believe people must have the final say on the Brexit deal in a referendum, with the option to reject it and remain in the EU if they don’t like the deal they are offered. This election is about your choice over your future. A vote for the Liberal Democrats can change Britain's future.

  • Environment and air pollution

News Shopper:

Clive Efford: We cannot ignore the threat to people’s health posed by poor air quality. This problem is added to by the daily traffic jams at Blackwall tunnel. We cannot solve this problem by building more river crossings alone. That is why I have advocated building the DLR along the Blackwall approach road to get people to shift from their cars to public transport. The challenge I have always made is if we are not getting the DLR here, then what are we going to get? Doing nothing to expand public transport locally is not is not an option.

Matt Hartley: We need to do more to tackle air pollution, especially around major roads like the A2 and the Sidcup Road. Conservative councillors have led the way in improving our local environment in Eltham, including a successful project to plant trees on the Avery Hill estate. As our MP, I would want to build on this approach and work across party lines to develop local solutions to problem areas.

David Hall-Matthews: Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed the Silvertown Tunnel which would increase traffic flow through Eltham dramatically. The Liberal Democrats will introduce an Air Quality Plan to reduce air pollution. We will also generate jobs and exports by supporting green industries that manufacture electric and low-emission vehicles. Our aim is for 60% of electricity to come from Green sources by 2030 – and we would ensure that 4 million properties receive insulation retrofits by 2022, prioritising the fuel poor.

  • Favourite movie

News Shopper: Clive Efford: Laurel and Hardy’s Way Out West

Matt Hartley: The Hunt for Red October

David Hall-Matthews: Deerhunter. A powerful story of the strength of friendship and community, torn apart by war but still resilient even after the most appalling ordeals.