MARK's GENERAL ELECTION MESSAGE

Dear Reader

Having previously contested the seat in 2005, I am proud to have again been selected as Labour candidate on the Isle of Wight in the forthcoming General Election. This is a great honour for me and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to build on the excellent result achieved last time.

I have worked in public services on the Island, and as a local and regional trade unionist, for more than 35 years. Throughout this period I have sought to work hard in the interest of people in the workplace, as well as on behalf of service users and the wider community.

If elected as MP I am committed to representing the interests of Island people in a similarly robust and energetic way.

As in 2005, I remain convinced that a Labour MP working with a Labour Government would bring enormous benefit to the Isle of Wight in terms of developing our local economy, significantly boosting our essential public services and eliminating poverty.

This General Election is vital for the interests of all Islanders and it is increasingly clear that voters face a very stark choice. The recent period has called for tough decisions, with our Labour Government having to deal with a worldwide economic crisis of almost unprecedented proportions.

Despite this, Labour has continued to prioritise spending on front line services and will not engage in a Conservative led competition to see which party can be most savage with their cuts.

Investment in health, schools, childcare and services for the elderly is essential for a civilised society. All of this would be put at risk by the Tories and Liberal Democrats.

Despite the attempt by David Cameron to disguise their true nature, it is evident that the Tories would embark on massive cuts in public spending with the inevitable result that vital services would be devastated. Such an approach would plunge the country straight back into deep recession.

Sadly, the Liberal Democrats appear to be following suit with their leader, Nick Clegg, recently boasting about the need for savage cuts.

Only Labour can be trusted to continue the rebuilding if our public services to ensure that the most vulnerable sections of society are protected. Labour can also be relied upon to manage the economy in a way that prioritises full employment – as well as opportunity for the many and not the privileged few.

Thousands of Islanders have been helped since 1997 by key measures such as the national minimum wage, the winter fuel allowance, concessionary bus fares, tax credits, the New Deal and free part time nursery places. In addition, Island industry has been assisted by Government support through the Regional Development Agency which the Tories plan to scrap.

I firmly believe that Labour can win on the Island this time if people ignore the misleading and opportunistic appeals of the Liberal Democrats for tactical voting against the Tories and have the confidence to vote for me as a strong local candidate pledged to represent their interests.

Mark Chiverton