Simon Bailey

Liberal Democrat
Chelsea and Fulham
Candidate Manifesto: 

Simon is standing for election because he believes that an outward looking, progressive and tolerant Britain is significantly better placed to meet the challenges of the 21st Century than an inward looking, illiberal, “blame someone else” Britain.

 

“Unlike Labour, I firmly believe we need to balance the books (and keep them balanced) – there is nothing remotely progressive in leaving our children to pay off our debts.  Right now, the UK is paying more on debt interest than it does on our entire Defence budget. 

 

Unlike the Conservatives, I firmly believe we need to do this fairly, building future opportunity for all, and strengthening our already fragile social fabric.  This means investing in the education of our people and our national infrastructure, and asking the richest to contribute more because they can afford it.

 

Unlike UKIP and the SNP, I firmly believe the best chance of solving global problems like terrorism, mass migration and climate change will be achieved if we stick together, and use our collective strength and influence (as one United Kingdom, within Europe) to fight for our future. 

 

Simon was born in Cheltenham in 1984.  He was educated at Easingwold High School in North Yorkshire before securing a place at Durham University to study Physics. 

 

After graduating in 2006 Simon moved to London, from where he has built a successful career as a management consultant, supporting UK public services implement change.  He understands extremely well, the challenges facing the public sector, as well as its strengths. 

Simon is an avid environmentalist and regular user of public transport.  He purchased his own home through a shared ownership scheme in Hammersmith where he has lived since 2009.  He understands well the impacts such schemes can have on social cohesion and wellbeing, and in addressing the capital’s housing crisis.

Fund Education Fairly

Here's how Simon Bailey responded to our 3 Key Demands, along with our traffic light evaluations of their responses:

INCREASE: Green
We are committed to introducing a help to rent scheme to provide government back tenancy deposit loans for all first-time renters under 30. We are also committed to introducing a new Young Person's Discount Card for people aged between 16 and 21, cutting the cost of a bus ticket, or bus pass to just a third of the standard fare.
REVERSE: Red
Labour's recent commitment to reduce fees to £6,000 is a cheap stunt, which will only benefit the graduates earning over £35,000 - it is certainly not progressive. It also risks cuts to the quality and investment in universities, access, or both. The conservatives if they had the chance, would remove the cap. My party, want neither.
PROTECT: Amber
I am pleased my party was able to secure a new system of government-backed, income-contingent student loans which will provide up to £10,000 a year for Masters courses in all subject-areas, with repayments linked to graduate earnings. This will help ensure we continue to widen participation in post-graduate education in the years to come, both within the UK and from abroad. As for overseas student fees, we have to remember that they and their families have generally not paid any taxes to support our education system - therefore it is important that their tuition fee covers the full cost of their university attendence.