Its Polling Day – and it’s Labour that offers a Brighter Future

Thursday is polling day. It is the day of the year when everyone’s vote counts the same. We all can go the polling station in our neighbourhood, and cast a vote for who we want to be our local councillors, and who we want to represent us in the European Parliament.

Our vote is a precious and powerful thing. We should never forget that there are millions of people across the world who are fighting for the right to vote. Some are dying for the right to vote. Yet we know it is sometimes so easy to take our vote for granted.

As a constituency MP, I’ve been out and about listening to people’s concerns about the election. I know that appeals to people’s sense of civic duty aren’t enough. People want to know what’s in it for them, and that’s entirely reasonable. Many people tell me that none of the political parties has the answers to the problems of modern life. I tell them that one party does offer practical solutions. One party is in tune with people’s concerns. One party can offer a brighter future – and that’s the Labour Party.

In this election, the Labour campaigners and candidates for the council, and for the European Parliament have been arguing for urgent action to tackle the cost of living crisis. We’ve been explaining that although the British economy is crawling out of the world-wide recession, most people are being left behind. Wages are stagnant, but prices are going up. That’s why Labour has pledged to freeze fuel bills and raise the minimum wage. And its why we’ve demanded new homes to be built, more investment in British jobs, and better training and education for young people.

In Hounslow, Labour is pledging:

• A further 3,000 new affordable homes, including 400 new council homes. Labour wants to tackle out-of-control house prices which means that people’s children can’t live nearby, and young people can’t get on the ladder.
• 300 apprentice places for local youngsters, and more training to get people into work. Labour wants to get people off welfare and into jobs, so they can earn, save and pay taxes
• Major regeneration of our town centres, to breathe new life into our high streets and communities
• Cleaner streets, new wheelie bins and better recycling
• More investment in local schools, with more choice for parents.

This is the kind of agenda for action that local people want and deserve. We live in a great part of London, with a great deal going for it. But we know it could be so much better. We know our elderly people could be living fuller lives; our youngsters could be enjoying even greater opportunities; and working families could be enjoying more of the money they earn.

That’s why, this election day, please take the time to vote Labour. It only takes 10 minutes, but it can make a better future for all of us.