Cllr Iain Lindley's Diary

Thousands of people across the country, including here in Worsley & Eccles South constituency, are feeling let down and taken for granted by Labour. It’s clear that many local people are abandoning Labour and are considering voting for the Conservatives – some for the first time in a long time, and others for the first time in their lives.

It is a big step to vote for a new Party, and it’s only natural to be reluctant to do so unless you are sure that change will be for the better. Thousands of people here in Salford, and many more across the country, have already pledged to make the switch and vote Conservative (including Ian from Congleton, featured in the video above). The Conservative Party has changed – only the Conservatives will stand up for the interests of ordinary local people in Worsley & Eccles South. Here’s ten reasons why:

The NHS – our number one priority
We believe in a National Health Service that is free and available to everyone in our society. Unlike Labour, we will increase spending on healthcare every year.

Dealing with Labour’s Debt Crisis
Labour are spending more on debt interest repayments than on tackling child poverty. We will cut the deficit quicker than Labour, and begin sooner, so we can spend your taxes on the things that matter. Conservative plans will help keep mortgage rates lower for longer.

Creating new jobs
Unemployment has gone up under Labour and one in five young people now can’t find a job. We will Get Britain Working by creating 450,000 new apprenticeships, college and training places over two years. As part of our plan to build a more balanced economy, where Britain makes things again, new businesses will pay no tax on the first ten jobs they create.

Protecting the poorest
Under Labour the poor have got poorer, with 900,000 more people living in severe poverty. We will keep the minimum wage, child benefit, tax credits, and other measures to help working families, and take action to deal with the long-term causes of poverty.

Supporting families
Under Labour, we have the highest family breakdown in Europe. We will support marriage in the tax system and end the couple penalty in the tax credit system, extend flexible working to all families with children under the age of 18, and recruit 4,200 more Sure Start health visitors to give families the support they need.

Helping keep bills down and clamping down on consumer rip-offs
The recession has made it more difficult to make ends meet. We will work with local authorities to freeze council tax for two years. Our ‘green deal’ will give people energy-saving equipment to reduce energy bills. We will stop store cards charging excessive interest rates and prevent energy companies from making unfair profits on prepayment meters.

Fairness for pensioners
One in five pensioners are living in poverty under Labour. We will increase the State Pension every year and link it back to earnings, and protect Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance. We will keep the winter fuel allowance, free TV licences and free bus passes.

Fighting back against crime
Under Labour you are three times more likely to be a victim of violent crime if you live in a deprived area. We will cut paperwork and get police out on the street, end Labour’s scheme of allowing prisoners out early, and make it clear that anyone caught carrying a knife can expect to be prosecuted and face a prison sentence.

Building more affordable homes
There are 700,000 more on housing waiting lists than when Labour came to office. We will give councils and communities powerful new financial incentives to build more affordable homes. We will also protect and respect the rights and security of social housing tenants.