You decide who will be the next MP for Hastings & Rye

The Hastings & St Leonards Observer asked Labour candidate Sarah Owen why the residents of Hastings and Rye should vote for her.

Here is Ms Owen statement:

I believe that Hastings & Rye is worth fighting for. The only reason I got involved in politics was to change the community I love and grew up in for the better.

Hastings is my only home; it’s where I live with my husband, who is a local fire fighter, and three generations of my family.

Politics doesn’t have to be full of the same old type of MPs.

I will bring my life experiences to this role working as a carer, doing shifts at the Conquest Hospital and in the fire brigade all before entering politics and working directly for Lord Alan Sugar for the last four years.

I don’t campaign on issues for votes; I campaign because I believe in what I am fighting for.

I hope people will support me because of the positive changes we are already bringing about in the community.

Working with the community, I’ve already saved fire stations, bus services and promoted our businesses worldwide - but now it is your chance to make change happen on May 7 by choosing me to represent Hastings & Rye.

What I will do:

1. Prioritise quality jobs with good pay and apprenticeships, attracting businesses and creating a skilled workforce.

2. Save the NHS, stop the neglect of our health service by getting and training more doctors, nurses and carers.

3. Fight for better local bus and train services, alongside improvements to the A21.

4. Provide more free childcare from 15hrs to 25hrs a week for three to four olds and more places in SureStart children’s centres and cap child class sizes in Hastings and Rye.

5. Support the growth of our renewable energy sector, fishing, tourism and high-tech industries in Hastings and Rother.

We will achieve this whilst balancing the budget.

All of these plans have been fully costed and are only a glimpse of the genuine alternative I will offer Hastings & Rye.