06/04/2010

Robin Walker, Parliamentary Candidate for Worcester, welcomed the news that Gordon Brown has finally asked the Queen to dissolve Parliament and call an election, pointing out that Worcester can now have a decisive voice in the future of the country.

Two and a half years after he so nearly went to the country but asked the nation to judge him on his record rather than his promises, Brown is now calling an election in which voters can judge him on his record.

Since that time, unemployment has rocketed, the deficit has risen, inequality has increased and taxes have risen. Millions of people are worse off now than when Labour didn't call the election in 2007 and more than twice as many people in Worcester are unemployed.

The Conservatives have set out plans to get Britain working, supporting apprenticeships, easing the tax on jobs and reforming benefits to get more people back to work. They have also set out a vision of stronger local services with an end to top down control from Whitehall, real local control over planning and support for the voluntary sector.

Robin Walker, who has been campaigning in Worcester constantly since he was selected as a candidate in August 2006, today said

"Worcester has been let down by labour. The economy is worse, our schools are not getting fair funding and, contrary to the promises of Blair and Brown, things did not get better. We need a change of government to give us the energy and the new ideas needed to get this country back on track. I am delighted that today, Gordon Brown has fired the starting gun on an election that can get us that government."

"People face a clear choice, they can side with Gordon Brown, the Labour party and their record of taxes, debt and waste or they can vote for change. The Conservative party is on the side working people, families and business. People in Worcester can look at a negative Labour campaign, based on dividing lines and scaring people or a positive Conservative campaign about aspiration and what we can do for this country. We can get this country out of the mess that it is in and deliver for the people of Worcester."

"Living in one of the crucial marginals that will really decide the outcome of the election, Worcester people really do have the power to decide. I am pleased to see that we have a full field of candidates and I wish them all luck in their campaigns, but people should remember the only way that they can be certain of change is to vote Conservative."