THE Shadow Chancellor says there is a ‘big responsibility’ on the people of Swindon at tomorrow’s election.
Ed Balls was in the town yesterday to rally supporters ahead of a frantic few hours before people head to the polls.
In a whistle-stop visit, he called on canvassers to get the message out across that Labour need the South Swindon if they are to form the next government.
“We had a Labour MP here for a number of years and then the Conservatives won in 2010 and we have had five years of a coalition which everyone knows has been so unfair,” said Mr Balls.
“They’ve not managed to get the deficit down in the way they promised. People are worse off and I want to abolish the bedroom tax, get jobs for young people and support the NHS but if there is a Tory MP in South Swindon we’re not going to be able to do that.
“Electing Anne Snelgrove here and Labour colleagues across the country, that is going to make the difference in giving a Labour majority to deliver a better plan which will be better for people in Swindon and across the whole of the country.
“There is a big responsibility on voters here in Swindon.”
It was Mr Balls’ second visit to the town during the campaign and while he accepts it has been a long election period, he says the final day will be crucial.
He said: “Every person in this election campaign is feeling tired and I think all the voters after six weeks are feeling as though they’ve had enough but with 24 hours to go we have to get the message over.
“It’s a big day on Thursday and we are going to be deciding on the future of the country, not just for the next five years but for longer than that.
“For example, whether we can keep Honda in Swindon is dependent on whether we can stay in the European Union and reforming it, not walking away.
“We need to persuade people that we can have economy that works for working people and can be strong but also fair.”
Anne Snelgrove, the party’s candidate for South Swindon and a former MP, says she is hearing positive news on the doorstep but is urging people to come out and vote tomorrow.
She said: “My message is to think about Swindon and the future for the people of Swindon, from children’s centres right up to apprenticeships.
“We’ve seen the NHS over the last five years being run into the ground. People are waiting up to three weeks to see a GP.
“They had the right to see one with 48 hours when I left office in 2010. Our accident and emergency is the second worst in the country for waiting times. That is a disgrace.
“So I would say to the people of Swindon you have a stark choice.
“Five more years of your services being run into the ground or Labour who will turn services around and keep our economy strong.”
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