Manifesto for Gloucester (Jeremy Hilton)

Manifesto for Gloucester

Gloucester Docks

Gloucester is my home; I was born and educated here. We need a strong voice in the House of Commons - a voice that will put Gloucester first.

In my maiden speech, I will call for the retention of our own 999 fire control at the TriSevice Centre. I am utterly opposed to Labour's madcap scheme to move it to Taunton.

I would also speak out against Tory plans to build a toxic waste incinerator in Gloucester. I would seek ministerial approval to use government cash for alternative green technologies to deal with our household waste.

Better sports facilities will help tackle obesity. I am working closely with the football club to build a new stadium in Gloucester. I established the city council project to construct a new 8-lane all weather athletics track. As the city's next MP I aim to secure funding for an Olympic sized 50-metre swimming pool.

Regeneration has stalled, just look at Kings Square. The next MP for Gloucester will have a big job in securing funding for further regeneration schemes, especially as we expect cutbacks in government spending.

I will lobby strongly for further public investment in our historic city. We cannot allow the government to renege on past promises to assist in regenerating our city.

The announcement by the NHS Hospital Trust to axe 200 beds primarily at Gloucester Hospital has worried many people. This proposal must be properly scrutinised before any beds are lost. We cannot compromise the health care of local residents.

I am backing Vince Cable's plan to scrap income tax on earnings up to £10K. This will put an extra £700 back into the pockets of hard-working Gloucester people on low incomes.

A thriving economy is important for Gloucester and our diverse business sector is important for jobs. I support the runway safety project at Gloucestershire Airport as it will improve aviation safety, protect the airport's Code 2 status, and thus maintain aviation jobs.

Good rail services to and from Gloucester are vital to our city's future. More cross-country trains should stop at Gloucester. I support the project to double the track between Kemble and Swindon on the route to London.

In Gloucester, we have 5,200 families on the housing waiting list. We must build more affordable homes for ordinary working people to rent - not everyone can afford to buy.

Our next MP must be Gloucester's champion not Westminster's.