Labour’s choice for the Basingstoke seat is Funda Pepperell, a former journalist and international sprinter who is hoping for gold in next month’s elections.
Funda sees herself as a voice for the people with ‘real-life’ experience. Currently serving as Equal Opportunities Officer for Southampton Labour Party, Funda spoke to the Observer about her plans for change in the town.
“I know how to struggle to pay the mortgage. I’ve been disabled for two years, and I know what people are going through,” she said. Politicians today are disconnected from the community. I’m not like that and I’m never going to be like that.”
Two of Funda’s top priorities are to protect Basingstoke’s schools and to prevent overdevelopment. She was against the closure of schools like Chineham Park School and believes that the housing and school issues come hand in hand.
“The government are constantly building flats, closing schools to build, and not leaving us with any green spaces. Building can make money for the private sector, but what about the people?” she asked.
The former sprinter condemns the Tories for giving what she sees as preferential treatment to the rich and to countryside interests.
“Basingstoke’s MP only represents the few,” she claimed. Tories protect the rural areas and are out of touch with the average person.”
Funda accepts that the national debt must be repaid, but believes the public sector needs continued financial support.
“The council is the biggest employer in Basingstoke, and Labour will help them through the recession,” she said. “The Tories want to cut the public service. How can we have a good police service, a secure street, how can nurses feel good about doing their jobs when they’re worrying about the next bill?”
Responding to voters who blame Brown for the crisis, Funda claims the recession could have happened under any government.
“The economic crisis didn’t happen just in Britain,” she pointed out. “It happened all over the world.”
