Why I joined the Labour Party

By Paul Wright

I have always been a Labour supporter, but I only became a member in the last few weeks. I decided to come out of the shadow primarily to thank Labour, the party which enabled me to have an education and the pathway to a career, but also to celebrate the proud record of achievement over the past 13 years and to offer my support in this election.

Having witnessed the last Tory government, I shiver at the thought should Cameron get into power and the consequences of Tory rule for the ordinary hard working families of this country.

Norman Tebbit and the Tory government in the 1980s told us to “get on yer bike” and look for work, this Labour government has adopted a caring approach and implemented schemes to help the unemployed and to extent higher education to people who would otherwise have been unable to go to university. Labour has delivered a splendid package of welfare and social reforms: the minimum wage, tax credits, improved maternity and paternity rights, the building of hospitals and shortening of hospital waiting lists and new equality in our education system.

While there is always room for improvement, Labour is the only party which truly listens to the ordinary person in the street: out canvassing I have witnessed the positive responses from people in giving their suport and putting their trust in Labour.

This campaign has been plagued by media hype and big money trying to influence voters into thinking the Tories have changed – that is further reasoning for me to display my equal distrust in the Tories and come out in support of Labour.

I also believe that to trust the inexperienced Cameron, Hague, May, Osborne and others at a crucial stage during the economic recovery is too risky. Gordon Brown leads an experienced team and given the choice I know who I would place my trust in – for me, it’s experience and substance over inexperience and ambiguity.

Let us be clear, the next few days are going to be tough and it is a tight race between the parties. But do we want David Cameron, who promises the world yet cannot give a straight yes or no when asked a question? Or do we want to re-elect a Labour Party which supports individuals and families and guarantees its continued commitment to frontline services?

Let’s get out there and get the message across: it’s game on.