Emma Lewell Buck MP: The issues that matter to my electorate matter to me

The Houses of Parliament could have a completely different make-up come after December 12 - the date of the general Election.

We have ended up here because the Prime Minister failed to torpedo the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) through Parliament to evade scrutiny and any amendments to it.

He then refused to have any further votes on it.

He went on to state it was MPs stopping progress of Brexit, when the reality is, he was the one who pulled further votes on his Bill and the deal he had struck with the EU27.

I am glad we have ended up here, this Government and the Tories long since fell apart, unable to govern or act in the interests of our country.

Even on the rare occasions they have enacted legislation, it has been to the detriment of us all, robbing women born in the 1950s of their pensions, robbing pensioners of their TV licences and forcing punitive welfare reform on those least able to withstand it ... the list is endless and miserable.

This General Election is the chance to make a difference to the millions who have been hurt by almost a decade of austerity and the millions trapped in insecure work and zero hours contracts – to make a difference to those who have seen their local services, hospitals and schools closed.

A difference to those who are homeless, sleeping (and dying) on our streets or living in squalid temporary accommodation and a difference to the stark and growing levels of inequality in our country, where tax cuts for the rich are prioritised over investment in our communities.

I am ready for this election. I have a record of delivery that I am proud to stand on. I have never shirked away from difficult issues or cowed to vested interests and have always been honest, open, accessible and transparent.

Politics has changed and our democracy is facing severe challenges. We enter this election in difficult times but with hope for change.

As your proud Labour MP, neighbour and friend, one thing has remained – he issues that matter to you matter to me.

South Shields is my home and in the last six years I have never reneged on my promise to be South Shields’ voice in Westminster not Westminster’s voice in South Shields.

I look forward to seeing you on the campaign trail.