Three of Croydon’s parliamentary candidates hit the campaign trail when they addressed Croydon’s business leaders.

Conservative Andrew Pelling and Labour candidate Geraint Davies – both standing for the Croydon Central seat – and Liberal Democrat candidate Sandra Lawman, who is standing in the Croydon South constituency, spoke to members of Croydon’s business community at Tae Tung restaurant at Wing Yip centre in Purley Way.

Last Wednesday’s event was organised by Croydon Marketing and Development.

In a Question Time-style debate, the candidates introduced their policies in a bid to persuade the borough’s business community to vote for them.

Each candidate gave a five-minute talk outlining what they intend to do to help Croydon’s businesses and economy flourish before being grilled by the audience about issues affecting employers and businesses in the borough.

Here is what the candidates had to say.

Labour candidate Geraint Davies, who has held the Croydon Central seat since 1997, said: “We have provided a good platform for jobs and good public services and we are looking to build on that.

“More people are working in Croydon which has allowed us to save money in unemployment costs which we have used to benefit Croydon business.

“Croydon is booming, we have created stability and we have made work pay. We’re on the right track, let’s keep it going.” He also said there would be £20billion invested in Croydon over the next decade with schemes like Park Place and Croydon Gateway in the pipeline which he said was thanks to Labour’s economic policy.

Lib Dem candidate Sandra Lawman said: “We want to make sure that employment legislation is fair for both employers and employees.

“We want to ensure that we have a decent transport system and infrastructure in Croydon.

“We want to reform business rates and to help sole traders. We want to help the small businesses.

“From the age of 14 years old students can go into work-based courses and traineeships.” Conservative candidate Andrew Pelling said: “We have a well-placed transport system so I want to improve the connections with public transport.

“The Coulsdon bypass is under construction which will improve links with the M25, I also want to improve the links with the M25 from Purley Cross. I want to see the tram extended to Purley and Crystal Palace.

“Croydon is the heart of south-east England and it is important that we have people who are going to speak up for Croydon business.”