with pix candidates in hen graphics

With exactly three weeks until elections for the Greater London Assembly and Mayor, the Hendon Times Group introduces the seven candidates for Barnet & Camden. We asked them their priority if elected, views on transport, policing, elections and the controversial Tally Ho arts centre project ,, as well as who they most admire and how they relax. MATTHEW NIXSON reports

Conservative candidate Brian Coleman, 38, a purchasing manager, lives in Essex Park, Finchley.

Priority: More police on the beat.

Tally Ho arts centre: 'I'm for the regeneration of North Finchley but opposed to the centre.'

Transport: Public and private transport are not mutually exclusive and there is a place for both; would improve Northern Line.

Policing: 'We have got to find extra resources for the Met to improve pay and attract more officers.'

Elections: 'I don't think people are bored with elections.'

Relaxing: 'My voluntary activities and the church [member of Finchley Methodist].'

Admires: Margaret Thatcher.

Liberal Democrats Against Tube Sell-off candidate Jonathan Davies, 38, from Heton Gardens, Hendon, is a solicitor.

Priority: Improving public transport in general and the Northern Line in particular.

Tally Ho arts centre: 'An arts centre is needed in the borough. This is not a decision for the Mayor.'

Policing: 'We are calling for an additional 6,000 officers in London.'

Transport: 'Signalling on the Northern Line is a priority. We have new Tubes but they are no good if they can't run.'

Elections: 'People vote when they can see it matters and that's why turn out in local elections has been so abysmal.'

Relaxing: 'I travel when I get away but it isn't often.'

Admires: Susan Kramer.

Maharishi's Natural Programmes ,, Peace, Health, Prosperity candidate is Diane Derkson, 57, a retired civil servant from Cliveden Close, Woodside Park.

Priority: Reduce crime by raising society's level of consciousness through transcendental meditation (TM) and yogic flying.

Tally Ho arts centre: In accordance with natural laws to prevent sick building syndrome.

Policing: Supports calls to keep police stations open in borough.

Transport: 'People should live closer to where they work to reduce travelling.'

Elections: 'It's a tragedy people are bored with politics. It should be a highly respected profession.'

Relaxing: 'I meditate twice a day.'

Admires: Marharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Green Party candidate Miranda Dunn, 37, a classroom assistant, lives in Glenhill Close, Finchley.

Priority: Improve transport, particularly cycling and reduce traffic and emissions.

Tally Ho arts centre: Project is completely out of scale and not appropriate to real community needs.

Transport: Large areas of central London should be car free. Stop building new roads.

Policing: 'Resources should go on crime prevention and community policing.'

Elections: 'People should realise it is going to affect London fundamentally. They should not opt out.'

Relaxing: 'I need to get back to the earth at my allotment.'

Admires: Martin Luther King.

Labour Party candidate Helen Gordon, 37, personnel director of University Colleges London Hospital's Trust, who lives in Oakridge Drive, East Finchley.

Priority: Improving Tube system and making bus services more reliable.

Tally Ho arts centre: Supports it as a focus for the regeneration of a run down town centre.

Policing: Recruits can't afford to live in London on the starting salary; hence pay structure should be standardised.

Transport: Public private partnerships needed to bring investment into the Northern Line.

Elections: Idea behind the Mayor and GLA is to give people a sense of ownership and involvement.

Relaxing: 'I cook.'

Admires: Nelson Mandela.

UK Independence Party candidate Magnus Nielsen, 50, is a professional tour guide from Finchley Road, Hampstead.

Election priority: Ensure high quality of service from the GLA.

Tally Ho arts centre: 'The arts play a part in attracting visitors to London'; hence inclined to support artistic and cultural projects.'

Policing: 'The role of the people's representative is to see that corruption is reduced.'

Transport: 'Digging up of roads should be co-ordinated. There has to be a balance betwen public and private transport.'

Elections: 'There is a certain amount of boredom, cynicism and confusion.'

Relaxing: 'My job is my hobby. I'm very proud to show London to foreign visitors.'

Admires: Sir Thomas Gresham [founded Gresham College to provide education to ordinary people].

London Socialist Alliance candidate Candy Udwin, 45, a clinic receptionist at University Colleges London Hospitals, lives in Junction Road, Camden.

Election priority: Fight privatisation of transport and hospitals.

Tally Ho arts centre: 'I don't believe the project is in the interests of local people.'

Policing: Main problem is why crime happens in the first place; hence more youth facilities needed.

Transport: Government should spend some of its £20billion reserves on public transport.

Elections: 'People have not been able to differentiate between the policies of the main parties.'

Relaxing: 'A large amount of my time outside work is taken by campaigning and standing up against injustice.'

Admires: Karl Marx.