Conservative Robert Buckland outlines what he can offer the voters of South Swindon at this election:

Since first being elected in 2010, I have been standing up for South Swindon and with only a few weeks to go until the General Election, I am writing to ask you to re-elect me as your local MP on 8th June so that I can continue with my work.

Living here in South Swindon with my family, I use our local services and am out and about in Swindon each week, having met thousands of fellow local residents over the years.

As your MP, I have held over 135 Advice Surgeries in local supermarkets, community centres, workplaces and street corners and dealt with over 17,000 different items of casework.

I provide a joint service to local people with a single phone line and co-ordinated offices with my colleague, Justin Tomlinson. As Solicitor General, I have taken important new laws concerning domestic violence, child cruelty, immigration and the security services through Parliament and continue to refer very lenient criminal sentences to the Court of Appeal for review.

Since becoming your MP:

I have helped to attract over £169m of investment in local infrastructure, such as improvements to Junction 16 which have started.

I work with both Swindon CCG and local GPs and pressed successfully for increases in local NHS funding.

I have campaigned to increase local school provision with four new schools in the pipeline so that parents can secure local school places for their children.

I have supported local charities, volunteers and community groups to secure greater funding and awareness of issues such as mental health and special educational needs.

I am working to improve provision for dementia and other conditions that affect many of our families.

As a fellow local resident, no-one is more determined than me to stand up for Swindon. In the past seven years, we have come a long way. But there is still more to do.

Looking ahead, my plan for South Swindon is:

To continue promoting Swindon as a great place to do business, attracting even more skilled jobs to our town, building on the near 60% reduction in local unemployment since 2010.

To ensure that the 50% increase in Swindon health spending over the next 5 years is spent on a more co-ordinated and expanded service for local residents.

To work with local heritage and culture groups to regenerate our historic buildings and showcase our cultural assets.

To build upon the over £169m investment in local infrastructure that we are receiving by pressing for more improvements to Swindon’s major road network and ensuring that we fully reap the benefits of the ongoing rail electrification.

To work with local schools and colleges, the Council and the Government to further drive up standards and to give young people the skills they need for their future.

To continue to be a visible, approachable and hardworking MP, visiting residents, holding regular Advice surgeries and making our case at the highest level.

KEY PLEDGES:

Build upon my work over the past seven years by continuing to promote Swindon as a great place to do business, attracting even more skilled jobs to our town.

Ensure the 50 per cent increase in Swindon health spending over the next five years is spent on a more co-ordinated and expanded service for local residents. 

Continue to work with local schools and colleges, the Council and the Government to further drive up standards for young people, and continue work with local heritage and culture groups to regenerate our historic buildings and showcase our cultural assets. 

I will continue to stand up for South Swindon and be a visible, approachable and hardworking MP, visiting residents, holding regular advice surgeries and making our case at the highest level.