We are putting the candidates on the spot on issues affecting the people of Swindon.

Our questions on EUROPE are: Do you think the UK should stay in the European Union?

What, if any, controls would you like to see put on the number of immigrants coming into the country?

How would your party help Swindon businesses better import and export to Europe and the global market?

ROBERT BUCKLAND

1. Yes, because I think that our economic and political influence is greater by being part of the EU and being part of the Single Market.

I want to see everyone have a say, however, which is why I support a Referendum on our membership to be held within the next couple of years.

2. We will keep the cap on the level of non EU economic migration and recover up to £500m from migrants using the NHS. EU migrants will have to have been here for four years before claiming tax credits and child benefit.

We will end all job-seeking benefits for EU migrants, just as we have for Housing Benefit. We will also further clamp down on illegal migration.

3. This Government’s economic plan has seen the UK grow faster than any other developed economy.

Increased exports are a vital part of our growth, which is why we are strongly committed to further Free Trade Agreements with Japan, which will be good for Honda, and the USA, which will open up more trade opportunities for local companies with one of the world’s largest markets.

ANNE SNELGROVE

1. Yes. Swindon’s future lies at the heart of a reformed European Union because the advantages of being in Europe far outweigh the disadvantages.

But Labour will stop child benefit and tax credits being paid for children who live overseas and ensure that no future Government can transfer powers to Brussels without a referendum.

2. Net migration is 50,000 higher than in 2010. Labour will make our borders stronger with 1,000 more border staff so we can count people in and out and deal with illegal immigration.

We’ll ban employment agencies from recruiting only from abroad and introduce smarter immigration controls to control low-skilled migration.

3. Flirting with Britain leaving the EU is making it more difficult for Swindon businesses to export to crucial European markets.

Labour will lead in Europe and support local businesses to export to a trading block that also allows them to work with new economies, like Brazil, India and China.

JOHN SHORT

1. UKIP would withdraw from the European Union and review legislation and regulations which hamper British interests.

UKIP would negotiate bespoke trade agreements with the EU to enable businesses to trade.

2. Strict controls on immigrants would be introduced by UKIP. This would be based on an Australian-style points system. It would be on a national needs basis both on skills and labour.

3. UKIP would help Swindon businesses by ensuring that grants were given to businesses to help them trade more competitively both with the EU and worldwide. UKIP would reoccupy the UK’s vacant seat in the World Trade Organisation ensuring that we enjoy most favoured nation status in trade with the EU as is contained within WTO rules.

UKIP would reduce commercial local taxes on businesses by 25 per cent and ensure that all local taxes were retained by Swindon Borough Council.

TALIS KIMBERLEY-FAIRBOURN

1. We support a referendum so that people can decide for themselves, but favour remaining in the EU – we are part of it geographically and very much in business terms too.

We support reforming the EU, however, to make work better for everyone.

2. Current controls put children and pregnant women into detention, cause British citizens with non-British spouses to choose between exile and living apart (unless they have significant money) and keep refugees in extreme poverty, while allowing wealthy incomers to distort the London housing market.

It should be about people, not numbers.

3. Let’s continue to welcome those from overseas who contribute to our economy and build bridges between trading countries, and invest in language skills too.

Our immigrant communities are a positive part of that local narrative. All our workers deserve a living wage, and we will stop exploitative zero hour contracts.

DAMON HOOTON

No response was received by the Adver from Damon Hooton