Thank you

Published 18 May 2010 14:00

IT is an enormous honour to have been elected as the MP for my home, West Dunbartonshire.

The result on election night reflected the overwhelming goodwill I have encountered on the doorsteps during this campaign.

I thank everyone who put their trust in me, and in the Labour Party, and put their cross next to my name.

I also want to thank everyone who cast their vote in the election, no matter who they voted for.

It is easy to take our democratic process for granted, but it relies on all of us playing our part and going out to vote.

I also want to pay tribute to my predecessor John McFall.

Mr McFall has served our area for many years with dedication and distinction.

In his recent work as chairman of the Treasury Select Committee he has been a champion not just for this constituency, but for the whole country in taking on the banks and he will be missed.

Representing this area is a responsibility I take very seriously.

This is a great place, with fantastic people, potential and ambition.

With a new Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition in Government, I know many people will be fearful of what the future holds.

On the doorsteps time and again people asked me to make sure we did not let the Tories back in.

People here have not forgotten what it was like the last time they were in power.

The deal between the Tories and the Liberals details immediate and accelerated cuts to public spending and cuts to the Child Trust Fund and Child Tax Credits.

I will do everything in my power to protect people in West Dunbartonshire from these cuts, but I also call on the SNP council to stop its cuts and increased charges for services and demand a fair share of Scotland's budget from Alex Salmond.

I am proud of Labour's achievements over the last 13 years.

Being in Government is not easy, at times things have been difficult.

But we changed lives through Labour policies like the minimum wage, entitlement to paid leave, increased maternity and paternity rights, the Winter Fuel Allowance and tax credits for families and for pensioners on low incomes.

With the Tories in Government again, I will have to fight even harder for West Dunbartonshire.

I want to see Labour's Future Jobs Fund safeguarded, which is now creating 358 jobs for young people here in West Dunbartonshire.

The most enjoyable part of the campaign was meeting so many people throughout the constituency, and I will continue to be out and about in all the communities of West Dunbartonshire, listening to people's views and concerns, so I can stand up our area and our people, both here at home, and at Westminster.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 18 May 10

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