Next up in meet the candidate is Tim Loughton, the Conservative attempting to defend the East Worthing and Shoreham seat he has held since 1997.

The Argus (TA): What is the biggest single issue in the constituency you are standing in?

Tim Loughton (TL): Long term – the upgrading the A27.

In the short term – fair funding for schools.

TA: Do you believe that Brexit can bring about a positive change to Sussex?

TL: Definitely.

We have some very successful and innovative small businesses but over 90 per cent of them do not trade with the EU yet have to comply with all EU business legislation even when irrelevant. That helps no one.

With all the pressures on infrastructure in the south East, people feel we need greater control over our borders.

We have always welcomed people from around the world but it is only common sense that we have people coming to our area who have the most compatible skills to contribute. Specifically, as a coastal constituency, we have witnessed the demise of our fishing industry. 60 per cent of fish stocks in the North Sea are in British coastal waters yet the EU allows us to catch only a 25 per cent share and the wasteful policy of throwback remains a scandal.

British fishermen are much better at responsible fishing and deserve a resurgence in our fishing industry.

TA: Who will win this election?

TL: After Trump, Brexit and a French outsider becoming president I have learnt not to make such forecasts.

Anything could happen during a six-week campaign which is why going out and voting Conservative is the only way of getting what you want.

TA: Who is your political hero and why?

TL: Margaret Thatcher.

I became a Conservative activist soon after she became leader because just whingeing about the desperate state of Britain in the 1970s got you nowhere. You needed to sign up and do something about it and she absolutely led the way.

TA: What has been the best moment you have had out campaigning?

A vicar who is not a natural Tory told me: “I usually vote for you because of who you are and what you do and not because you are a Conservative.

“This time I will be voting for you because you are a Conservative and my other half would like to sign up to help your campaign.”

TA: Is this election necessary considering we already have a majority government that was due to run until 2020?

TL: Yes. Labour and SNP were constantly trying to undermine Theresa May by saying she was not elected as PM and therefore did not have a mandate. The Lords also threatened to challenge the authority of the Commons because Brexit measures were not specifically set out in the last manifesto. At this crucial time as we start Brexit negotiations it is vital the country is seen to be firmly behind the leader of those negotiations and she has the authority to deliver.

TA: Can voters be confident that our current system is the best way to select a government?

TL: None is perfect but this one usually delivers strong and stable government.