SHOULD I be returned as your MP I shall fight for the following that have not been mentioned in my previous articles in The Shuttle.

l Increased fairness for pensioners and those with disabilities or long term illnesses. The state pension is too small for those existing on it alone but there are also people who really do not need it and although this would require means testing, as there cannot be enough money to do everything now, I cannot see any other way of increasing the basic pension for those desperate for it. The disabled and sick that cannot go to work need the winter heating allowance as much as the elderly. This too should be more carefully targeted.

l There have been talks about fairer ways of funding social care for many years and still no progress has been made to solve the problem which so often penalises people with modest savings usually in the value of their homes. This must be addressed and I will support action during the next parliament despite the financial crisis.

l Improvements have been promised in the medical assessments for employment maintenance allowance. I need to make sure these make a difference for people.

l Mental health services rarely receive their fair share of NHS resources. I will press for recognition of this and its correction despite the recession when these services could become targets for plunder by other NHS services. Alzheimer patients and their families must receive more help and support.

l I will stress the reform of Parliament so that people can regain the trust which it should earn. With the expected large numbers of new MPs now is the ideal time for change. To make the House of Commons more effective at scrutinising the ruling party’s plans for legislation we need reduced power for party whips and more free votes. Surely a party in government when deciding controversial matters could understand that free votes would allow MPs to represent their constituents’ views and would therefore enhance respect for the government and Parliament as bodies that listen to, and act on people’s views.

A free vote would be preceded by a meaningful debate where speakers would know that their contribution had the potential to change minds – surely the point of debate. This would improve attendance in the Commons Chamber. The guillotine procedure should be more sparingly used and I would support measures to make Prime Minister’s Questions less of a pantomime and a much more mature, productive occasion.