The second of Building’s series of interviews with the construction professionals standing in the general election

Bernard Hyde

Name: Bernard Hyde, Green Party prospective parliamentary candidate for Chatham and Aylesford

Construction CV: Chartered architect and town planner, at Rochester-based Bernard Hyde Associates. Involved in the construction industry for more than 50 years and a RIBA member for over 40.

What can your party offer the construction industry?
Quality sustainable design and construction are at the centre of Green Party policy. Our focus is on a future construction industry using renewable materials and renewable energy, eliminating waste and fully ascribing to the circular economy. We favour state-of-the art, local, off-site production of building and renewable energy components, which will bring work opportunities.

Why is construction important in your constituency?

Our focus is on a future construction industry using renewable materials and renewable energy, eliminating waste and fully ascribing to the circular economy

The constituency includes a stretch of the River Medway, which offers great opportunities as a source of renewable energy, for electrical generation and water source district heating systems as well as for floating communities along its banks.

The current shortage of housing accommodation in this constituency offers enormous potential for innovative, sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions for constructing high-quality affordable homes. The Green Party also recognises the role that research and local universities can play, together with a wider education in how to enjoy the potential benefits that truly sustainable, carbon-neutral buildings can offer.

How will your party ensure a “good” Brexit?
The Green Party campaigned to remain in the European Union. While wholeheartedly accepting the decision to leave, we want a referendum on the terms for the United Kingdom leaving Europe so that there may be a democratic say in the matter.

Contact your candidate

Letter

You can download this model letter to your constituency candidates by clicking here.

The letter summarises construction’s importance to the UK economy and calls on election candidates to consider the key demands in the Building a Better Brexit manifesto.

A list of the candidates is available from the official political parties’ websites, along with contact details. Feel free to add local examples of important construction projects or related issues – we would also be interested to hear about these local stories, so please email us building@ubm.com.