The Big Chris Ostrowski Interview

Here we catch up with Chris and put your questions to him direct.


Q. Ian Gibson is widely respected in Norwich. What makes you think you are the right man to follow in his shoes?

I’m not a career politician, but I lived and worked here in Norwich for five years. I started a project to help homeless Norwich people, so I know how much Ian Gibson achieved for Norwich North and know that people here need someone in Ian’s mould to stand up for them in Westminster.

I know Ian and I’ve learned a lot from him. He’s an independent spirit and always put Norwich North first. If I’m elected I’ll do just the same.


Q. Is Ian Gibson backing your campaign?

I’m honoured that Ian has made it clear that he is supporting me in this election. I know Ian would agree that the last thing Norwich needs is a Tory MP. David Cameron’s priority to give tax-cuts to a few millionaires would do nothing to help ordinary people here in Norwich.


Q. Westminster has really let us down with expense scandals, how do we know you’re not more of the same?

As I’ve said, I’m not a career politician or a Westminster insider. Unlike the Tory candidate, I’ve never worked for an MP or worked in politics and I’ve only ever visited the House of Commons on a handful of occasions.

Like most decent people, I was appalled when I read about MPs putting in bills to have their moats cleaned, using expenses to allegedly pay for ‘au pairs’ or claiming for non-existent mortgages .


Q So how will you be different?

Norwich people deserve better and I want to champion the clean-up of politics and restore public confidence.

I believe MPs should be there to serve the people – not the other way round!

If I get elected I’ll always be straight with the people of Norwich North and fully open and accountable about how I spend every penny of public money whether fighting for jobs in Norwich North or making the case for better services like more Sure Start children’s centres or more police on the beat.

I believe being MP for Norwich North is a full time job. That’s why I’ve made it clear that I will not take on any second outside job.

I would hold regular public meetings to account for my actions directly to the voters of Norwich North.

I will only claim expenses which are absolutely necessary in my work as an MP and will publish all my accounts online within 30 days.

Every penny piece will be audited by a local firm and I’ll invite the media and local people to scrutinise my expenses.

These are tough standards but I believe that the people of Norwich North deserve nothing less.


Q. Do you agree that we need a cleaner way of doing politics?

Absolutely yes. I’m fighting a clean and honest campaign on the issues that matter to local people. I hope the other candidates will do the same.

I strongly believe people in public life should show integrity at all times. I believe politics should be about principles and values and standing up for the people. That’s what I’ll do day-in day-out if I’m elected as Norwich North’s Member of Parliament.


Q. How important is your faith to your politics?

My Christian faith is one of the things that has made me want to volunteer to support the most vulnerable in our society. I believe that it is right for us to try to build communities where no one is excluded.

In this way my faith is part of my core identity.


Q: You lived in Norwich for five years. What do you like most about Norwich?

Norwich has a special place in my heart: after all, it’s where I met my wife, Katie.

We have many friends here in Norwich and love visiting them and catching up with what’s happening.

It’s great to see the major investment going on here in Norwich – not just the first new school for a generation, or the Sure Start children’s centres, but also new buildings like the Chapelfield shopping centre which is putting Norwich on the map.

Getting down to Carrow Road to cheer on the Canaries…walking down by the river… or cycling out to the Norfolk countryside to enjoy some of the lovely English pubs around here are all wonderful ways to spend a few hours.


Q: How is the campaign going so far?

We’ve had a really positive reaction so far and I’ve had a great reception from people on the doorsteps of Norwich North.

Obviously there is a lot of interest and speculation around about the campaign. But the longer the campaign goes on, I think people are starting to appreciate there’s a clear choice between investment in local service with Labour as opposed to the spending cuts that the Conservative Party are now proposing.

I’m relishing the chance to debate these issues with my Conservative opponent. I’ve already written to her asking whether she can safeguard our local Children’s Centres from these spending cuts which David Cameron is proposing. Unfortunately her response was a typical career politician’s answer and failed to reassure anyone that the future of our local Children’s Centres are safe under Tory proposals!

Some people have asked me about the other parties but if you look back to the last time the people of Norwich North chose their MP, the choice here is between Labour and the Conservatives and I hope that the people here will make the right choice.


Q: What do you think you could offer to Norwich people if they chose you to be your MP?

I hope that I could carry on the great work that Ian Gibson did here in standing up for the interests of people in Norwich. Hopefully I could also put my business experience to good use in securing extra help for people here and investment during the economic downturn. I am also campaigning for more Sure Start children centres to ensure that families in Norwich receive the extra advice and support with childcare they need and give them the best possible start in life.


Q: How do you think Norwich and the surrounding area could be improved?

I really want to get across to other people the real benefits that Norwich has to offer, both as a place to work and to live but also as a place to visit.

However, I think in the current economic climate we need to make sure that Norwich continues to receive all the support it needs. Norwich has a great reputation as an eco-city and I would want use that reputation to secure more green jobs and investment in the city and surrounding areas. In the past the lack of affordable housing has been a problem in the city and I would work closely with central and local government to secure more funding and extra measures to make sure everyone has a decent place to live.

And seeing the Canaries win their way back into the Premier League would also be a fantastic boost for the city!


Q: You’ve made anti-social behaviour one of the main themes of your campaign. Why did you decide that was important?

I know Norwich is a great place to live. In fact, Norfolk is now the safest place in the country to live. But when I speak to people on the doorstep they have raised serious concerns with me about the kind of behaviour that spoils neighbourhoods for the rest of us. That’s why I’ve made it a priority. The Police need to keep taking firm action, and we need more for young people to do.

I will not allow the actions of a few spoil the quality of life for the majority in Norwich North and I will be calling for more police and crime prevention measures like CCTV to crack down on it where it exists.


Q: Why should someone vote for you on environmental issues?

Labour has a great record on environmental issues and I would be proud to work hard to take forward this agenda here in Norwich. If elected I will campaign for tougher action to fight climate change and working to ensure the government delivers on its promises as well as ensuring that people here benefit from the green jobs and opportunities that extra investment in green energy offers.

I agree with a lot of what the Green Party are pushing for on the environment – we do need ambitious action if we’re going to fight the threat of climate change. But I do think there is strength in numbers and I believe that by working together with other Labour MPs I would have more chance of achieving real action on the environment than an MP from the Green Party would have alone.

Here in Norwich North it really is a clear choice between Labour and the Conservatives. By voting Green, people in Norwich run the risk of returning a Tory MP whose environmental policies have been shown up as a façade. They just don’t stand up to scrutiny.


Q: What does the choice between you and the Conservatives come down to?

I believe fundamentally that we can’t let people just sink or swim. We should take action to support people through the downturn so we come out of this tough time quicker and stronger. That means investing now to see real results for the future. On the other hand, the Conservatives feel that the best way forward is to cut spending now which would have a real impact on people across Norwich.

I’ve asked the Conservative Party candidate to meet me for a head to head on debate on these issues though it took some time before she responded. The people of Norwich North won’t be impressed if she is taking this election for granted.

I’m working hard for every vote and urge everyone to use their vote on election day.

I won’t let the people of Norwich North down.


If you have any questions for Chris, you can email Chris at chris@norwichlabour.com

NORWICH LABOUR