Merlene shares with Yasmine, Editor of www.shepherdsbushw12.com what she considers issues important to the local area and what she would do if she were elected as MP

5.00.00pm GMT Mon 25th Jan 2010

"In the past, I and the H&F Liberal Democrats have campaigned for improvements to Shepherd's Bush market, better transport links (against closure of Shepherd's Bush Central line station and on bus routes), and for more jobs for local residents in the Westfield development.

More recently, we have seen a number of high profile cases involving planning applications such as the redevelopment of the Goldhawk Industrial estate and 282 Goldhawk Road. The former has been called in by the Secretary of State for valid reasons. The next big test will be proposed development at Stowe Depot, as to whether the Council has indeed learnt lessons against allowing over development in the face of local protests.

Related to this is the general shortage not of luxury housing but of affordable homes. When one million square feet of retail space was built at Westfield, the developer was only required to deliver 78 units of affordable housing. Although colleagues in City Hall advise me that there were 8492 households on the waiting list for affordable housing in the borough in 2009, the Council has made clear that they do not intend to increase the number of affordable housing units for the next 15 years.

One positive outcome of the Westfield development however is the improvements to the Shepherd's Bush Green. As a community mediator in the area over the last 9 years, I can see that the area is extremely diverse, yet there had been insufficient consultation of the needs of local communities. I would also like to see an air monitoring station strategically located by the Green to safeguard the health of users.

Last but not least, we are in a recession. Shopholders have complained to me about rising utility bills and business rates. Young people I bump into whilst leafleting ask what is there for them? And whilst Council tax may have been lowered for 3 consecutive years, there is a cost in terms of attendant cuts.

As a Liberal Democrat I pledge to bring in fairer taxes, investment in our young people as well as in our environment, health and well-being."