Name: Robin Meltzer

Party: Liberal Democrats

Constituency: Richmond Park and North Kingston

Name one thing you will proactively change in the constituency if you are elected
A member of Parliament ought to be visible and accessible to constituents where-ever they live. That means regular, advertised MP surgeries in church halls, supermarkets in all the ‘villages’ of Richmond and north Kingston. Residents should not be expected to come to the MP’s office – the MP should be out and about where people are living their lives.

What has been your proudest achievement within the constituency in the last three years?
I’ll pick one from the neighbourhood in which I live: leading the campaign to save a charming independent bookshop under threat of demolition from one of the ‘super landlords’ of Kew. I threw myself into a campaign to raise public awareness. We saw the threat off, but we must remain vigilant about the threats to our local shopping areas.

What sets you apart from your fellow prospective parliamentary candidates?
I would never forget about the small groups, the charities and organisations that do incredible local work every day. Spending time with these groups, going to their meetings - there are no big photo opportunities in it. There isn’t an enormous number of votes in it. But it’s the right to do and keeps you in touch with issues people face.

What has been the most difficult conversation you have had while canvassing?
I am out practically every day on the doorsteps, not just at election time but all year round. The hardest conversations are not about party politics; they are the moments when people open their hearts to you about challenges they are facing. It just makes me more determined to win so that I can help people and get things done.

Why should people in Richmond Park and north Kingston vote for you?
I don’t believe that being an MP should be some sort of vanity project or personality cult – it is too important for that. Being elected is one of the biggest privileges you can have in life. After all, as an MP your ultimate role is to help people: to represent their views to power, and to help solve their problems.