We asked Witham's Lib Dem hopeful Jo Hayes six questions, but only gave her 50 words to answer. These are the results:

1. What do think about the current Government-set house building targets in Witham? If you don’t agree with them, how will you fight them?

Current pressures are irresistible: rents and prices won't stabilise until supply meets demand. Choose your battles! I'll battle for locations people will accept, converting redundant offices and warehouses and, as a precondition to major development, sustainable infrastructure. I'll continue initiatives to rebalance Britain's economy away from London.

2. Apart from the NHS, what should be the government’s number one spending priority?

Investment in productive things so Britain can afford services we want. Infrastructure to bring prosperity to less developed areas; innovation, research and development; renewing the electricity grid in preparation for the zero carbon economy; training, skills and know- how for the 60% of us who don't go to university.

3. What personally sets you apart from the other candidates?

Not sure I'm the person to ask! Friends say I've a button in my brain marked It's Not Fair. Once it's pressed I don't stop trying to get it put right until either I can't go any further or someone convinces me I'm wrong.

4. Name a pledge you will fulfil, if elected, within 100 days.

I'll get on my bike and cycle to every village in the constituency to meet and listen to residents. Unless I fall off and break something, that should keep me occupied over the summer.

5. What do you think is the biggest challenge Witham will face over the next five years (house building aside)?

There's a range of conflicting challenges. Individually, probably paying the bills each month. Collectively, evolving into an area with reduced carbon footprint in transition to sustainability. That will affect everything we do from food sources to transport to managing demand for water while looking after the rivers.

6. Is there a policy or piece of legislation YOU would personally propose if elected which is not in your party’s manifesto?

As a property lawyer I've a pet project to help small business tenants by reforming business leases so that periodic rent reviews can go down as well as up, reflecting the property market, and implying break clauses by law so tenants have security but can vacate after a reasonable period.

Oh, and if you wouldn't mind...10 quick questions

1. If I could give the younger me one piece of advice… life is not a rehearsal.

2. The first record I bought was... can't remember. Pet Sounds probably.

3. My most embarrassing moment was… being asked this question.

4. The special talent I wish I had is… ability to sing.

5. My guilty pleasure is… Toblerone.

6. My proudest moment was… walking to the top of Mount Snowdon and down again when I was seven.

7. What scares me is… cliff edges.

8. If I had one day left to fulfil my bucket list I would… spend it worrying about the dog.

9. If I was stuck on a desert island (and my family were at home) I would be there with… the dog.

10. My most read book is… The Once and Future King by TH White.