We contacted all of the candidates vying for your vote to be the next MP for the Wells and Mendip Hills constituency, asking each of them the same questions. We've taken their responses exactly as they were sent to us - so you know where each of the candidates stand, to help you decide who to vote for.

Here's their responses to the question:

How will you ensure that the voices of Wells and the Mendip Hills residents are heard in Parliament?

Meg Powell-Chandler - Conservative:

"I would be an active MP both locally and in Westminster. I would hold regular meetings and surgeries in the constituency, as well as keeping up the door knocking that has filled my days over the last four weeks, to make sure I was in tune with and listening to the residents of Wells and the Mendip Hills. With my family living here and my children at school locally I would be part of the community, Where appropriate I would also be keen to bring groups to Westminster to meet with relevant ministers and officials to advocate for themselves."

Craig Clarke - Independent:

"I will not have an office in the constituency as it would be a waste of taxpayers' money - what I will do is visit constituents in their homes to discuss their issues, or meet in their local pub or cafe, if that suits them better, I'll buy the tea or coffee."

Helen Hims - Reform UK:

"This constituency is my home. I understand the issues facing the people who live here, and as your MP I will always be available to meet and speak with constituents about their concerns. Helping to run our family business, and bringing up our family here; I've gained extensive experience in many areas, so you can be sure I will confidently act as your voice in Westminster.

We would push hard for a proportional representation voting system in the House of Commons. Large numbers of people have no representation in parliament. Voter turnout could be 10% higher with PR.

We would introduce a British Bill of Rights. Our freedoms must be codified and guaranteed. Never again can our entire country be locked down on shoddy evidence, and our population threatened and shamed into taking experimental medical procedures. Our data and privacy must be protected. Surveillance of the public must be limited."

Abi McGuire - Independent:

"As I am not subject to a party whip, I will accurately and vocally represent the constituency in parliament whenever necessary. I have visited every parish council. Having door-knocked over 22,000 homes I am already well aware of the areas where our communities need to be supported."

Tessa Munt - Liberal Democrats:

"I will make sure the team I have around me shares my values of truly wanting to listen to and act on behalf of the people in our area.

If I'm elected as your MP, I will be available and contactable.

And I'll use all the levers available to me to make your voices heard. My record below shows I know how to use Parliament on behalf of the people here, and I've got the energy to take every opportunity to speak up on the issues that matter to you."

Joe Joseph - Labour and Co-op:

"I'll be doing the usual surgeries that people can attend which residents should expect as a bare minimum. However, I want to come to people to talk about their issues. This means listening and helping people on the farm, in care homes, and in schools and colleges. Rather than coming to 'my surgery' I'll be bringing my surgery to you – the political equivalent of the visiting family doctor!"

Peter Welsh- Green Party:

No response was received.

What are your plans for engaging with the community and informing constituents about your work and decisions?

Meg Powell-Chandler - Conservative:

"I would hold regular surgeries across the constituency. A quarterly meeting with local farmers. Be out and about meeting businesses and charities."

Craig Clarke - Independent:

"I will not have an office in the constituency as it would be a waste of taxpayers' money - what I will do is visit constituents in their homes to discuss their issues, or meet in their local pub or cafe, if that suits them better, I'll buy the tea or coffee."

Helen Hims - Reform UK:

"This constituency is my home. I understand the issues facing the people who live here, and as your MP I will always be available to meet and speak with constituents about their concerns. Helping to run our family business, and bringing up our family here; I've gained extensive experience in many areas, so you can be sure I will confidently act as your voice in Westminster."

Abi McGuire - Independent:

"I am already engaged and connected with all of the communities and parish councils in the Wells and Mendip Hills. I have developed relationships with almost all of the unitary authority councillors from all parties. I will continue to build on this so that I am present and representing our city, town and villages across the constituency effectively."

Tessa Munt - Liberal Democrats:

"During the five years I spent in Parliament I held regular surgeries in the constituency's city, towns, villages, and hamlets – my record of 704 MP's surgeries remains the highest of all MPs. I am completely committed to holding these surgeries all over the constituency again. If you can't come to me, I'll always come to you.

I will also make sure that I'm reporting back to you regularly. I'll report back to each home in the constituency at least once a year. I'll offer regular updates to local papers, community newsletters, and through social media channels.

If constituents have shared concerns or issues they want to be raised in Parliament, I'm always willing to attend group meetings to support them with these collectively – I've done this many times in the past on issues like flooding and Interest Rate Swap Agreements.

I believe in openness and transparency. If you do want to raise an issue with me, discuss a decision, or ask for help with a problem then my mobile number is 07714 599 669 and my email address is [email protected] – you'll be able to reach me on those."

Joe Joseph - Labour and Co-op:

"I'll be doing the usual surgeries that people can attend which residents should expect as a bare minimum. However, I want to come to people to talk about their issues. This means listening and helping people on the farm, in care homes, and in schools and colleges. Rather than coming to 'my surgery' I'll be bringing my surgery to you – the political equivalent of the visiting family doctor!"

Peter Welsh- Green Party:

No response was received.

What are the most pressing issues facing local residents in Wells and Shepton?

Meg Powell-Chandler - Conservative:

"There are a lot of pressing issues – from an aging population, which is to be celebrated but means we need to rethink how we provide services, to increased development that does not come hand in hand with more services for a greater population."

Craig Clarke - Independent:

"I ask the people of Wells and Shepton Mallet one question - you know health care services in your area are bad but please consider the residents of the constituency who do not have the community hospitals you have. In the Cheddar area, we have to take a bus to Weston General that takes one hour and is infrequent. The A & E Hospital is shut at weekends. It takes four weeks to get a doctor's appointment. Dentists have all gone private. It's a shambles so I have been asked by the people to build one new community hospital, like you have, in the Cheddar valley area - I hope that's ok with you as it will lessen our use of your hospitals, freeing up spaces for you."

Helen Hims - Reform UK:

"If I had to choose the three most pressing issues for Wells and Mendip Hills constituency, they would probably be:

• Housing
• Cost of living
• Farming

There are of course many others: Reduced local bus services (the 126 in particular); the awful state of our pot-hole ridden roads, and the reduction in recycling services to name but a few."

Abi McGuire - Independent:

"These are just two areas in our vast constituency with quite different demographics. However, the common themes are:

1. Access to affordable housing
2. Access to health care
3. Effective public transport and
4. The growing impact of the rise in the cost of living."

Tessa Munt - Liberal Democrats:

"Referring back to the answers I've given, almost all of these topics have been raised with me by constituents in the last six months, so limiting the list is hard when we have so many issues that need addressing. The reality is that as your MP I'd speak up on the matters you raise with me.

Looking back over the last few years, the most frequent issues raised with me have been around access to NHS services - whether that's getting an ambulance, seeing a specialist, or finding mental health support - and the cost-of-living crisis. No one should be living in poverty in the UK in the 2020s."

Joe Joseph - Labour and Co-op:

"From what I've seen it's the national issues playing out at home: housing, the cost of living, and the state of public services. We need to tackle these issues as a country through things like new laws, but there are also community issues which need community-led solutions.

Because I'm a Labour and Co-operative candidate, I want to see more co-operative solutions to these issues, such as co-operative models of social care, community ownership of bus routes, and community-led food hubs. To bring the cost of living down, give people more security, and let them take back control at the community level."

Peter Welsh- Green Party:

No response was received.

How do you plan to address them?

Meg Powell-Chandler - Conservative:

"Through hard work with a clear outcome. There is a lot of hot air and bluster in politics. A lot of meetings for meetings sake and a lot of people who think that a photo opportunity is action. I am someone who is driven by outcomes and by adding value to the situation in front of me. Be that building the case for and succeeding in increasing per pupil funding or driving forward the campaign to increase uptake of the vaccine I am someone who is driven by results and I would work to deliver positive change for you."

Craig Clarke - Independent:

"I ask the people of Wells and Shepton Mallet one question - you know health care services in your area are bad but please consider the residents of the constituency who do not have the community hospitals you have. In the Cheddar area, we have to take a bus to Weston General that takes one hour and is infrequent. The A & E Hospital is shut at weekends. It takes four weeks to get a doctor's appointment. Dentists have all gone private. It's a shambles so I have been asked by the people to build one new community hospital, like you have, in the Cheddar valley area - I hope that's ok with you as it will lessen our use of your hospitals, freeing up spaces for you."

Helen Hims - Reform UK:

"I would focus on our Reform UK policies that address housing, cost of living, and farming as detailed earlier. Ensuring fairer distribution of resources and supporting local businesses and services would be crucial steps in addressing these issues."

Abi McGuire - Independent:

"I will continue to be supportive of the many existing organizations meeting these needs. I will work alongside both parish councils and our unitary authorities to address these issues in parliament."

Tessa Munt - Liberal Democrats: "By listening, working with others, and using my experience to change the system within Parliament."

Joe Joseph - Labour and Co-op:

"From what I've seen it's the national issues playing out at home: housing, the cost of living, and the state of public services. We need to tackle these issues as a country through things like new laws, but there are also community issues which need community-led solutions.

Because I'm a Labour and Co-operative candidate, I want to see more co-operative solutions to these issues, such as co-operative models of social care, community ownership of bus routes, and community-led food hubs. To bring the cost of living down, give people more security, and let them take back control at the community level."

Peter Welsh- Green Party:

No response was received.