Enemy at the Gates

Apologies for not posting for a while, but I’ve been busy out on the campaign trail as you would expect. In fact, I’m just in between campaign sessions at the minute. Me and the team have just been leafleting and talking to parents outside a primary school in Wibsey, and next up it’s a door knocking session also in Wibsey.

These ‘school gate’ events are a great way of meeting some of those who have most benefitted from a Labour government; young families. We have seen real progress over the last 13 years in policies that give real help to families: Sure Start, tax credits, a doubling of investment in spending per pupil, an increase in paid maternity leave to 39 weeks, paid paternity leave, the right to request flexible working, the Child Trust Fund, free childcare for all 3 and 4 year olds, an 80% increase in Child Benefit since 1997 – these are all policies that have really helped families in Bradford South.

Yes, they are all achievements that will be under threat if we wake up on May 7th with a Tory government. The Tories have said they will cut Sure Start, cut tax credits for many families, axe the Child Trust Fund. David Cameron and the Tories voted against the increase in paid maternity leave, against the increases in Child Benefit, against the right to request flexible working, against our extra investment in education.

The Tory agenda is one of abandoning communities like those in Bradford South. The Tories are a change we can’t afford.

But don’t take my word for it; watch Labour’s new short campaign video featuring the brilliant Eddie Izzard above, or by clicking on this link www.labour.org.uk/brilliant-britain Well worth a watch.