At this election our country faces the biggest choice for a generation. Labour will secure the economic recovery, protect frontline services and extend its support for communities and families. A Conservative party committed to taking billions out of the economy would kill the recovery, hit jobs and put at risk the services families in Harborough rely on.

Labour will not allow 13 years of investment and improvement in public services in Harborough to be put at risk. Since 1997, the number of people waiting more than six months for in-patient hospital treatment in this area has been slashed from over thirty thousand to just eight; the number of secondary school teachers in Harborough has increased by 20%; and the number of students in Harborough gaining 5 good GCSEs has increased by nearly 30%.

In 2009, the number of police officers serving Leicestershire increased by 5.4% – the second largest increase in the country. Each figure represents a real improvement in the quality of people’s lives in towns and villages across the constituency. Harborough has gone from strength to strength with the Labour.

I know the past year has seen people’s faith in Parliament and politicians rocked by the expenses scandal. Every party has been affected and each must play its part in rebuilding trust in our political system.

I share people’s anger at MPs who were meant to be representing our interests in Parliament taking more than they needed – or were entitled to – from the taxpayer. If elected, I will only claim what is necessary to carry out my duties. And, because I recognise that these abuses were partly allowed to happen because of structural problems in our political system, I have pledged my support for reform of the House of Lords, a more proportional voting system, reform of the way political parties are funded and devolving power from Westminster to local communities.

The choice is clear for Harborough. If you value your Sure Start centre, if you want to protect our frontline services, including schools and police from Conservative cuts then I urge you to vote Labour on Thursday, 6 May.

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