AS the snap General Election moves ever closer, we caught up with the four candidates for the North Ayrshire and Arran Constituency to see what they are campaigning for and what they want to offer you as a voter.

The four hoping to be elected are Mark Dickson (Liberal Democrats), Patricia Gibson (SNP), Christopher Rimicans (Labour) and David Rocks (Conservative).

Mark Dickson said: “Our country is now on a course to leave the EU. Brexit means Brexit, a hard Brexit, a red white and blue Brexit… nobody knows what the final outcome of these negotiations will be and no amount of political spin or buzz words will convince the public otherwise.

“The Liberal Democrats are the only party offering YOU the final say over the terms of Brexit. We believe that you should have the right to vote on whether we accept or reject the final deal negotiated with the EU. This decision will affect all of us and should not be left to the hands of politicians in Westminster. That is why the Liberal Democrats believe in a second referendum on whether to accept the final Brexit deal or reject it so that YOU have the choice over YOUR future.

“Benefits have been slashed under the current government. While we have endured a long recession, the Liberal Democrats do not believe that cuts targeting the most vulnerable in our society is right. A Liberal vote will reverse those cuts to Work Allowances to ensure proper financial protection is given to those most disadvantaged in society. The Liberal Democrats will scrap the bedroom tax and cuts to Housing benefits for 18-24 year olds while increasing JSA for those people at the same rate as minimum wages.

“Our NHS is under threat with health workers struggling long hours to sustain our hospitals in the face of massive underfunding. The Liberal Democrats will ensure that we protect our NHS while ending the public sector pay freeze for NHS workers.

“Mental health issues are only now getting the recognition that they deserve. Recognition on its own is not enough and more must be done to provide support to those suffering from depression, anxiety and dementia. The Liberal Democrats will make waiting times for mental health care match those for physical health care so that we work to make a system provide people with the support that is needed.

“A vote for the Liberal Democrats will give you the power to decide your future.”

Patricia Gibson said: “I seek your vote based on my constituency work combined with the need to ensure Scotland has MPs at Westminster to stand up for its interests.

“In my two years as your MP, I worked hard across this constituency, assisting thousands of constituents and making your voice heard at Westminster; speaking in 79 debates last year, compared with my predecessor’s 22 in her final year.

“In February I organised an Employment Fayre in Kilwinning, having jointly organised one in Saltcoats last October, to help job-seekers gain access to employers who are actively recruiting. I also pressed the UK Government to commit resources - as the SNP Government has done - to the Ayrshire Growth Deal to regenerate Ayrshire’s economy, secure inclusive growth and reduce inequality.

“I brought forward a Bill to ban nuisance calls, fought for the rights of WASPI women and lobbied hard for the retention of the Ardrossan to Brodick ferry service.

“As Labour’s in-fighting continues, here in North Ayrshire and across the UK, the Tories seek to consolidate their grip on power. Labour has all but given up, admitting they cannot win after their Depute Leader, Tom Watson predicted a “Thatcher-style” majority in England.

“Once again, Scotland faces having a government it did not vote for, imposing deeper austerity and a hard Brexit which threatens Scottish jobs.

“With a majority of just 12, the Tories gave us the “rape clause”, cut support for disabled people by £30 per week and delayed paying the pensions of women born in the 1950s.

“With her “Thatcher-style” majority Mrs May will feel free to impose even harsher measures.

“Now more than ever, it is vital to have strong SNP voices standing up for Scotland.

“I support an independent Scotland. However, to say this election is about independence is wrong. The Scottish Parliament already has a mandate on that issue.

“The choice at this election is between SNP MPs who will continue fighting for Scotland  or Tory MPs seeking to impose further cuts.

“The SNP will always put Scotland first, continuing our work to make Scotland the best country it can be.”

Christopher Rimicans, Labour’s candidate, said: “For too long, those at the top have got richer whilst for the rest of us wages have stagnated, zero hour contracts have become the norm not the exception and poverty has risen.

“It doesn’t have to be this way. There is a better way which will make our country more equal.

“On June 8 we have a chance to kick out the Tories. In their place we can elect a Labour Government that will work for the many, not the few.

“Labour will transform our country with the most ambitious manifesto for a generation.

“A £10 minimum wage will see over 8000 families in North Ayrshire given a much needed pay rise. Full time workers over the age of 24 will be £2,300 a year better off, whilst under 24s will be paid the same as their older colleagues leaving them £4,500 better off.

“A nationalised rail service will see public transport run in the interests of people not profit.

“An end to austerity, funded through an increase in Corporation Tax, A ‘Robin Hood Tax’ on the financial sector and a crackdown on tax avoidance, will see billions of pounds more for Scottish public services such as the NHS and our schools.

“Zero hour contracts will be banned and the Tories’ anti-trade union bill repealed.

“Pensioners will be better off with the Triple lock protected and action to support the WASPI woman who have lost out under the Tories’ state pension age changes.

“Housing Benefit entitlement will be reinstated for under 21s.

“The disabled will be better off with ESA increased by £30 a week and Carers Allowance will be increased to be in line with JSA payments.

“This is the choice. A Tory Government for the privileged few or a Labour Government for the many. The SNP cannot win a General Election and we found that out in 2015. Scotland voted SNP and ended up with a majority Tory Government.

“Don’t risk it. With Labour closing the gap on the Tories in recent polls, vote Labour and together we can kick out the Tories and deliver a fairer, more equal society that works for every community.”

David Rocks said: “The voters of North Ayrshire and Arran have the opportunity on June 8 to vote for their next MP in what will be a historic General Election. I am standing as the Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate as I believe that the union of the United Kingdom must remain strong as we leave the European Union. Only when the four parts of our great nation stand together do we truly flourish and I want Scotland to be part of a successful United Kingdom outside of the EU, competing and progressing in a global world.

“Local issues matter most in people’s daily lives and I think that all levels of government need to work closer together to try and solve the problems we face and help our communities prosper. In North Ayrshire we have had a successful nuclear power station for generations and in the next five years’ hundreds of jobs will be lost as Hunterston B is decommissioned. This will not only affect the families of those who lose their jobs, but also businesses in the surrounding towns and villages. Particularly, our local communities of Largs, West Kilbride and Fairlie will suffer. I believe I am the only candidate standing in North Ayrshire and Arran who is in favour of a new nuclear power facility and if elected I would encourage the government to invest in our area as they are doing in other parts of the United Kingdom. This would bring millions of pounds of infrastructure, hundreds of highly skilled and well paid jobs and apprenticeships to North Ayrshire as well as keeping us at the forefront of low carbon technology and energy production.”

“Only Theresa May can lead the United Kingdom to a better future, only the Scottish Conservatives and Unionists can fight to keep Scotland part of it and only I can represent the people of North Ayrshire and Arran at the heart of the UK government.”