I am campaigning to win back Monmouth Constituency for ‘the progressive majority’ who, like me, believe in fairness for all, not privileges for the wealthiest.

It’s a widely held myth that Monmouth Constituency has a natural Conservative majority. In truth, this Constituency has a natural, progressive, anti-Tory majority of Labour, Lib Dems, Greens, Plaid and others on the progressive side of politics whose combined votes in the past have far exceeded the Tory vote.

But it’s still a two-horse race. On past performance, only Labour or Conservative can win this Constituency. If you vote for one of the smaller parties, or stay at home, you’ll get a Tory MP again. So if you don’t want to be represented by a far-right Tory MP like ours, the only way to get rid of him is by voting Labour. That’s why I’m inviting all those who are part of the progressive majority in Monmouth Constituency to lend me their votes on May 6th.

Of course, Labour’s record isn’t perfect, though there are some real achievements: the national minimum wage, devolution to Wales, tax credits for working families, free bus travel for older people, crime down overall by 30%, fox hunting banned.

But this election is not an opinion poll on the past, it’s a big choice about the kind of government we want to see over the next 4-5 years. And the key dividing line between the major parties is this: which of them do you trust more to secure the economic recovery?

The Conservatives would put the economic recovery at risk, with inheritance tax cuts worth £200,000 for the 3000 richest estates, National Insurance cuts to benefit the biggest bosses, and immediate public spending cuts for the rest of us. That’s a change we can’t afford.

Labour will continue to go for economic growth, with measures to boost jobs, and extra help for families, older people, businesses and home owners. When the recovery is secured, and only when it is secured, we plan to halve the deficit over 4 years, and bring in fairer taxes for those who earn most - including a new 50% tax rate for the 1% earning over £150,000.

So I believe the choice is clear: between a future that’s fair for all, or a change that benefits the wealthiest and puts the recovery at risk.