So you could get to know your local election candidates we've invited them to answer our non-political questionnaire.

​Below are the candidates that have send their answers to us so you can get to know them better... 

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ROTTINGDEAN COASTAL WARD

Paul Christopher Johnson

Labour Party candidate for Rottingdean Coastal Ward 

Answers

​Lives in:
Saltdean

Re-election or new candidate:
​New candidate
​

1. What makes you happy? 
   Family, friends and a sense of justice in the world.
   
   
2. Who’s your greatest hero?  Nelson Mandela. His personal struggle was one of the worst in the world. I became involved in protests at University in the early 1980’s; where I campaigned to end Apartheid. Fast-forward to November 1994 and I had the pleasure of meeting “Madiba” in Johannesburg twice on the same day.  Once at SABC studios (the BBC of South Africa) and the second time when Mr. Mandela invited me to the launch of his autobiography “A Long Walk to Freedom” which he personally signed for me.
   
   
3. What is your most cherished childhood memory?
   The years I spent with my family but mostly with my wonderful father before he died tragically in 1973 when I was eight years old. 
   
   
4. What superpower do you wish you had and why? 
   BATMAN. Why? Because Bruce Wayne is a multibillionaire and I would give away 95% of my entire estate to help those less fortunate than I. Plus his enduring sense of justice.
   
   
5. If you could be King or Queen for the day what would you do? 
   Ensure that the UK government creates a strong strategy for the onslaught of Artificial Intelligence and the way it will change all of our lives.  I’d also launch Universal Income for all British citizens to end poverty by cutting the military budget so that no new borrowing was required. 
   
   
6. What music makes you smile?  
   Music you can move your whole body too and that puts a smile on your face. 
   
   
7. What is the greatest struggle you’ve overcome? 
   The death of my father unexpectedly when I was eight year old and the death of my mother when she died, after living in the flat below mine in Sussex Square for three years, two years ago. 
   
   
8. What fictional character do you most relate to?
   James Bond. It isn’t because one of my friends is lucky enough to produce the series at EON Productions either. I love investigation that uncovers the truth and brings unscrupulous people to justice.
   
   
9. What’s your biggest pet hate? 
   The lack of logic that creates so much hate around the world. When all everyone wants to do is live in peace with their families and neighbours why doesn’t’ everyone strive to find common ground and live their life by truly understanding what the word, tolerance, means 
   
   
10. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be and why? 
    I have always had dogs. Love them. Their personalities and how their love is uncomplicated and unconditional. My first was a golden retriever, then a golden Labrador, followed by a golden cocker spaniel, then a black Labrador with a gorgeous champion tricolour Imperial Shih-tzu.
    
    
11. What’s your day-to-day mantra?
    Life is a sweet journey.  Enjoy every second.  Make time to let people know you love them.  Respect them. Enjoy being around them. Always surround yourself with people who make you feel good. No Room For Small Dreams
    
    
12. What do you wish everyone did more of? 
    Ensure everyone (and many already do this) cared more about others less fortunate.  With so much growing poverty in the world, why can’t we all become a more aware society?

​
www.brightonhovelabour.com/candidates

Bridget Fishleigh​

Independent candidate for Rottingdean Coastal Ward 

Answers

Lives in:
Saltdean

Re-election or new candidate:
​New candidate

1. What makes you happy?
   My best summer days start with a swim in the lido, followed by sitting on Saltdean beach and a pub crawl around Rottingdean.  In winter, I like to tramp the downs with our dogs
   
   
2. Who’s your greatest hero?
   I just read Michelle Obama’s autobiography.  A really terrific read. I’d like to be her friend!
   
   
3. What is your most cherished childhood memory?
   My youngest sister being born.
   
   
4. What superpower do you wish you had and why?
   Mind-reading might be useful!
   
   
5. If you could be King or Queen for the day what would you do?
   I would go down into the cellars of all the Royal Palaces with the team from the Antiques Roadshow and work out what hasn’t seen the light of day for years and could be sold with all proceeds going to the restoration of Madeira Terraces and Saltdean Lido!
   
   
6. What music makes you smile?
   Nile Rodgers and also dancing at the White Cliffs at a Soak evening.
   
   
7. What is the greatest struggle you’ve overcome?
   Saving Saltean Lido!
   
   
8. What fictional character do you most relate to?
   Ripley from Alien. No-nonsense!
   
   
9. What’s your biggest pet hate?
   People dropping litter and not picking up after their dog.
   
   
10. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be and why?
    I would never replace our dogs, Fudge and Peppa!
    
    
11. What’s your day-to-day mantra?
    Just get on with it.
    
    
12. What do you wish everyone did more of?
    Being considerate of other people and their feelings.
    
    

​www.bridgetbythesea.com

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LUCY CURLE

Liberal Democrat candidate for Rottingdean Coastal Ward 

Answers

Lives in:
​Saltdean

Re-election or new candidate:
​New candidate

1. What makes you happy?
   Camping in the summer with my family.
   
   
2. Who’s your greatest hero?
   Marie Curie, who left Poland for France in her early twenties and proceeded to make a fantastic contribution to the world, often at considerable risk to her own wellbeing.
   
   
3. What is your most cherished childhood memory?
   Walking in the woods with my Grandfather.
   
   
4. What superpower do you wish you had and why?
   Perfect memory - I forget why...
   
   
5. If you could be King or Queen for the day what would you do?
   I would go for a walk around the palace in full regalia and look at all of the pictures in the royal collection - there wouldn't be time to put anything substantial through parliament.
   
   
6. What music makes you smile?
   "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" - Eric Idle
   
   
7. What is the greatest struggle you’ve overcome?
   Childbirth
   
   
8. What fictional character do you most relate to?
   Elizabeth Bennet, Pride and Prejudice
   
   
9. What’s your biggest pet hate?
   Single-use plastics
   
   
10. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be and why?
    Tortoise - they're quite meditative creatures
    
    
11. What’s your day-to-day mantra?
    Well done is better than well said.
    
    
12. What do you wish everyone did more of?
    Reflection

https://liberalbrighton.org/en
​

Jane Chetwynd-Appleton

Labour Party candidate for Rottingdean Coastal Ward

Answers

Lives in:
Black Rock area of Brighton

Re-election or new candidate:
​New candidate

1. What makes you happy?
   Walking on the Downs.
   
   
2. Who’s your greatest hero?
   Dr John Snow, who removed the Broad Street pump handle. He had worked out that contaminated water from the pump was causing the 1854 cholera epidemic in London and took action despite opposition from the authorities.
   
   
3. What is your most cherished childhood memory?
   The wonderful array of wildlife in our suburban garden. 
   
   
4. What superpower do you wish you had and why?
   The ability to rise up about a foot in the air so I can reach high shelves (I’m not very tall) 
   
   
5. If you could be King or Queen for the day what would you do?
   Throw a huge champagne party on the beach for all my neighbours in Rottingdean Coastal ward.
   
   
6. What music makes you smile?
   Toots and the Maytals track Sweet and Dandy. 
   
   
7. What is the greatest struggle you’ve overcome?
   Giving up smoking when I was in my 20s. 
   
   
8. What fictional character do you most relate to?
   Jane Eyre
   
   
9. What’s your biggest pet hate? Bicycles being ridden fast on the pavement. 
   
   
10. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be and why?
    An Irish Wolfhound.  I met one in Ireland many years ago and thought it was lovely.  Wouldn’t fit in my house though.
    
    
11. What’s your day-to-day mantra? 
    -
    
    
12. What do you wish everyone did more of?
    Telling the truth.
    ​
    

​www.brightonhovelabour.com/candidates

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David Frederick Plant

Conservative candidate for Rottingdean Coastal Ward 

Answers

Lives in:
Ovingdean

Re-election or new candidate:
​New candidate

1. What makes you happy?
   People enjoying life with a smile on their face.
   
   
2. Who’s your greatest hero?
   My parents, Baroness Margaret Thatcher PM from 1979 – 1990 and Bobby Moore, England Captain and World cup winner 1966.
   
   
3. What is your most cherished childhood memory?
   Being one of four boys moving from a flat into a house with a garden.
   
   
4. What superpower do you wish you had and why?
   To be able to fly, so I could travel the world.
   
   
5. If you could be King or Queen for the day what would you do?
   I would address the world to stop the wars and tell people to live in harmony.
   
   
6. What music makes you smile?
   Motown and early 70’s music.
   
   
7. What is the greatest struggle you’ve overcome?
   As a 5 year old being in hospital for six months with suspected polio to representing my County at football.
   
   
8. What fictional character do you most relate to?
   James Bond.
   
   
9. What’s your biggest pet hate?
   Anti-social behaviour and lack of respect to our elders.
   
   
10. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be and why?
    An aviary full of canaries and finches for their colour and song.
    
    
11. What’s your day-to-day mantra?
    I have a hard work ethic that you only get out of life what you put in.
    
    
12. What do you wish everyone did more of?
    Help those less fortunate than ourselves, our elderly and our military.
    
    

www.brightonandhoveconservatives.com​​

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Simon Gamble

Liberal Democrat candidate for Rottingdean Coastal Ward 

Answers

Lives in:
Brighton Marina

Re-election or new candidate:
New Candidate

1. What makes you happy?
   Seeing other people enjoying themselves.
   
   
2. Who’s your greatest hero?
   Alan Turing. Not only did he build on the work of Polish mathematicians to break the German Enigma codes, he was also a pioneer in the field of Artificial Intelligence and foresaw the development of the internet.
    
3. What is your most cherished childhood memory?
   Time spent with my maternal grandfather who died when I was ten.
    
   
4. What superpower do you wish you had and why?
   The ability to speak and understand any language. It would avoid the embarrassment of my terrible attempts to speak French and German.
    
   
5. If you could be King or Queen for the day what would you do?
   - 
   
   
6. What music makes you smile?
   Suede.
   
   
7. What is the greatest struggle you’ve overcome?
   Ill health over the last two years. Thanks to a major operation just before Christmas, that is now behind me.
    
   
8. What fictional character do you most relate to?
   Not a single character, but the main characters in Jonathan Coe’s The Rotters Club. The novel focuses on teenagers growing up at a time when I was the same age.
   
   
9. What’s your biggest pet hate?
   Lack of courtesy.
    
   
10. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be and why?
    - 
    
    
11. What’s your day-to-day mantra?
    Do your best and don’t be afraid to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.
    
    
12. What do you wish everyone did more of?
    Thought about the impact of their actions on other people. 

Robert McintosH

Labour Party candidate for Rottingdean Coastal 

Answers

Lives in:
Rottingdean

Re-election or new candidate:
​New candidate

1. What makes you happy?
   Good conversation with good people.
   
   
2. Who’s your greatest hero?
   Clement Atlee.
   
   
3. What is your most cherished childhood memory?
   Getting rid of my spots.
   
   
4. What superpower do you wish you had and why?
   I don’t need a superpower.
   
   
5. If you could be King or Queen for the day what would you do?
   I am not a monarchist.
   
   
6. What music makes you smile?
   Beethoven with a good conductor and orchestra.
   
   
7. What is the greatest struggle you’ve overcome?
   There have been many; I’ve come out stronger.
   
   
8. What fictional character do you most relate to?
   Michael in Tales of the City.
   
   
9. What’s your biggest pet hate?
   People who apologise when there is no need to.
   .
10. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be and why?
    A domestic cat.  I’ve had many and they are so comforting.
    
    
11. What’s your day-to-day mantra?
    Come on, Robert, get on with it.
    
    
12. What do you wish everyone did more of?​
    ​Care for other people
    
    

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WOODINGDEAN WARD

Steve BELL

Conservative candidate for Woodingdean Ward 

Answers

Lives in:
Woodingdean

Re-election or new candidate:
​Re-election

1. What makes you happy?
   Waking up in the morning!
   
   
2. Who’s your greatest hero?
   Barry Sheen
   
   
3. What is your most cherished childhood memory?
   Sadly, I don’t believe I have one ☹
   
   
4. What superpower do you wish you had and why?
   Mind reading, then I would know what other people really think
   
   
5. If you could be King or Queen for the day what would you do?
   Make St Georges Day a Bank Holiday
   
   
6. What music makes you smile?
   Old songs from my youth which bring back memories
   
   
7. What is the greatest struggle you’ve overcome?
   Being accepted for who I am and not who people perceive me to be.
   
   
8. What fictional character do you most relate to?
   Peter Pan who is not fictional to me
   
   
9. What’s your biggest pet hate?
   Repeating myself
   
   
10. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be and why?
    Dog, because no matter how bad a day has been they are always pleased to see you
    
    
11. What’s your day-to-day mantra?
    Don’t need one as I am a very positive person, glass is always half full and filling up
    
    
12. What do you wish everyone did more of?
    Show patience and understanding of other peoples point of view

​www.brightonandhoveconservatives.com​

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DEE SIMSON

Conservative candidate for Woodingdean Ward 

Answers

Lives in:
Woodingdean

Re-election or new candidate:
Re-election

1. What makes you happy?
   Watching my grandchildren growing up and staying healthy.
   
   
2. Who’s your greatest hero?
   Mother Theresa
   
   
3. What is your most cherished childhood memory?
   Playing on my Father’s  smallholding in Woodingdean. amongst the pigs & chickens. Learning how to grow fruit & vegetables.
   
   
4. What superpower do you wish you had and why?
   Healing so I could alleviate suffering especially in children.
   
   
5. If you could be King or Queen for the day what would you do?
   Order everyone to do at least one kind act that day.
   
   
6. What music makes you smile?
   Anything I can dance to.
   
   
7. What is the greatest struggle you’ve overcome?
   Having a nephew diagnosed with a brain tumour at 10 yrs and watching him struggle through his teenage and adult life. Spending hours at his bedside only to watch him deteriorate and pass away at 32yrs.
   
   
8. What fictional character do you most relate to?
   Hermione Granger.
   
   
9. What’s your biggest pet hate?
   Smoking.
   
   
10. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be and why?
    Pig. Brings back childhood memories when I would help my Father bottle-feed rejected piglets.
    
    
11. What’s your day-to-day mantra?
    Respect for all.
    
    
12. What do you wish everyone did more of?
    Be compassionate and look after others.
    
    

DAVID WILSON

Labour candidate for Woodingdean Ward 

Answers

Lives in:
Woodingdean

Re-election or new candidate:
New Candidate

1. What makes you happy?
   Being at the Amex with my children and cheering The Seagulls to a victory.
   
   
2. Who’s your greatest hero?
   Nye Bevan, for setting up the NHS – I have many reasons to be grateful for this and he was an inspirational politician.
    
   
3. What is your most cherished childhood memory?
   My mum had two jobs – a day time in a shop (who remembers Radio Rentals?!) and nights working in a petrol station on the till. When she had a day off, she always took me out somewhere fun and I still remember being together now. 
   
   
4. What superpower do you wish you had and why?
   Super speed! Or maybe being able to pause time. Something that’d help me get more done each day, as I am always full of ideas but there just aren’t enough hours in the day. 
   
   
5. If you could be King or Queen for the day what would you do?
   Remind people who want a pet to consider local rescue centres. I have no issue with reputable breeders but am opposed to those who are just in it for money. We have three rescue dogs – they can be hard work but repay this a million-fold. 
   
   
6. What music makes you smile?
   Pink Floyd! (No explanation needed, surely). 
   
   
7. What is the greatest struggle you’ve overcome?
   Probably getting through my O levels. I had little interest in schoolwork and did not realise how important getting an education was until I was about 15. Then the penny dropped and I went from being near the bottom of the class to working hard, I started studying properly and ended up somehow passing 7. This allowed me to take A levels and then being able to attend Brighton Poly (as it was then). 
   
   
8. What fictional character do you most relate to?
   I think maybe Donna Noble from Doctor Who. She’s just a normal person who says it like it is, speaks out when she thinks something is unfair, she isn’t perfect, and people underestimate her, but she’s passionate, protective, and does get things done. 
   
   
9. What’s your biggest pet hate?
   If we’re looking at silly pet peeves rather than burning injustices, I’d say going out for breakfast as a weekend treat and being told they’ve stopped serving - and it’s an hour’s wait for lunch! 
   
   
10. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be and why?
    My current pets. I love dogs (I have 3), but if you work full time and don’t have support they are not always suitable as pets so I’ll say cats (I have four) – my admiration for them comes largely from their ability to be very independent but know when to ask for help. Plus their ability to find the sunniest spot and soak it up! 
    
    
11. What’s your day-to-day mantra?
    Stand up for what you believe in but always be ready to say sorry if you’re wrong. 
    
    
12. What do you wish everyone did more of?
    Show compassion. 
    

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PEACEHAVEN NORTH

Dawn Paul​

Labour Party candidate for Peacehaven North

Answers

Lives in:
North Peacehaven

Re-election or new candidate:
​New candidate

1. What makes you happy?
   Walking in the countryside with my dog. 
   
   
2. Who’s your greatest hero?
   Nelson Mandela.
   
   
3. What is your most cherished childhood memory?
   Spending time with my animals 
   
   
4. What superpower do you wish you had and why?
   Maybe not a superpower but a boosted metabolism so I could eat lots of yummy food and not be fat!
   
   
5. If you could be King or Queen for the day what would you do?
   I’d pass a law for a national children’s day and make sure on that day every single child in the country spent a day at the seaside 
   
   
6. What music makes you smile?
   Mostly anything I’m a rocker at heart so anything with a good beat.
   
   
7. What is the greatest struggle you’ve overcome?
   Being a mum to a child with special needs.
   
   
8. What fictional character do you most relate to?
   Pocahontas as she was a female adventurer 
   
   
9. What’s your biggest pet hate?
   People feeling sorry for themselves instead of doing something about it.
   
   
10. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be and why?
    Any large cat as they are wonderfully independent, gorgeous to look at and incredibly intelligent.
    
    
11. What’s your day-to-day mantra?
    It’s better than it was! 
    
    
12. What do you wish everyone did more of?
    Laugh.

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NEWHAVEN DENTON WARD

Sean Macleod

Green Party candidate for Newhaven Denton 

Answers

Lives in:
Denton Newhaven

Re-election or new candidate:
​New candidate

1. What makes you happy?
   I am happy when the people around me are happy, my children are my life so when I see a smile on there face it always puts a huge smile on my face. I think if we keep our kids smiling then we can't really go wrong in this world.
   
   
2. Who’s your greatest hero?
   My greatest hero is my brother, I have experienced some pretty difficult things in life and my brother has always been there for me and picked me up when the world was looking dark.
   
   
3. What is your most cherished childhood memory?
   The day I was adopted 1st March 1992 I remember the day like it was yesterday and I was only 6, I remember going over the hill and seeing my new home, playing in the back garden with my Brother, and I remember him saying before we walked through the door that if I didn't declare my love for West Ham on the doorstep he wouldn't let me in, I never looked back since.
   
   
4. What superpower do you wish you had and why?
   I would turn back time, I don't want to get to heavy but I have lost some very close people in my life and I would give anything to have another day with them again.
   
   
5. If you could be King or Queen for the day what would you do?
   If I was King for the day I would give everyone the day off but make it that you all have to go to the local park and all play in games, I recently went to London Zoo and we walked back through the park to get the tube at about 5pm there where hundreds of people that where in the park just playing games in suits like they had just come from work. We all sat down and watched for a good hour as it was beautiful to see.
   
   
6. What music makes you smile?
   I like 50/60s music but i also like music with lyrics that i can relate to, Read all about it - Emile Sande for example great lyrics and words that are powerful and we should all listen to. I also think Michael Jackson man in the mirror has one of the best lyrics ever "if you want to make the world a better place take a look at yourself and make a change" change has to begin somewhere.
   
   
7. What is the greatest struggle you’ve overcome?
   Depression, I was sectioned 5 years ago after a suicide attempt, I didn't notice I was struggling and then I popped and it all come out at once, it opened my eyes to an awful lot, I have since gone on to create my own mental health programs involving physical activity.
   
   
8. What fictional character do you most relate to?
   I think Marius from Les Misersables, just without the rich parents lol.
   
   
9. What’s your biggest pet hate?
   Bad manners, I don't think there is any excuse for it, saying please, thank you, excuse me are so simple and can make a huge difference, we to often walk around with our heads down but i think manners go a long long way. 
   
   
10. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be and why?
    My dog Hara went through the mill to get him to the UK after adopting him from Cyprus and wouldn't change him for the world his amazing.
    
    
11. What’s your day-to-day mantra?
    That you can only make the world better one day at a time
    
    
12. What do you wish everyone did more of?
    ​Go outside and talk to each other, I miss the days when the parks where packed solid, when kids could make best mates within 5 mins of being in a park. I think we live in such a beautiful area and we don't often use it enough.

Emily O’Brien​

Green Party candidate for Newhaven & Denton

Answers

Lives in:
Newhaven

Re-election or new candidate:
​New candidate

1. What makes you happy?
   Summer days, skylarks and a walk on the Downs with the dogs.
   
   
2. Who’s your greatest hero?
   ​Aphra Behn, the first woman (back in the 1600s) to earn a living out of writing. She was also a spy, she invented the novel and spoke out against slavery long before speaking out against slavery was a thing.
   
   
3. What is your most cherished childhood memory?
   My Dad shaving. He was a very cool shaver.
   
   
4. What superpower do you wish you had and why?
   The power to end single use plastics
   
   
5. If you could be King or Queen for the day what would you do?
   Stop climate change of course
   
   
6. What music makes you smile?
   Bob Marley: Three Little Birds
   
   
7. What is the greatest struggle you’ve overcome?
   ​Shyness. I still get really anxious speaking in public, although I am told it doesn’t show on the outside.
   
   
8. What fictional character do you most relate to?
   Harry Potter
   
   
9. What’s your biggest pet hate?
   People not indicating at roundabouts.
   
   
10. If you could have any animal as a pet what would it be and why?I couldn’t do better than what I have already - 2 dogs, 2 cats and 14 chickens (which also give us eggs)
    
    
11. What’s your day-to-day mantra?
    Winter is coming…. so live your best in the meantime!
    
    
12. What do you wish everyone did more of?
    ​Smile more, share more and always show respect.

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