Labour and Co-operative candidate Sarah Church outlines what she can offer the voters of South Swindon at this election:

As your Labour and Co-operative Party candidate for the General Election, I am offering myself as a strong constituency MP who will put Swindon first in all that I do.

I have a track record of fighting for change and for getting things done in my role as a campaigner with Save Swindon’s Libraries, and a sound professional background that indicates to voters that in choosing me to be their MP, they are choosing someone of integrity and with a true sense of public duty.

I served in the Army for 13 years, leaving in late 2015.

During my time in the Army I served across the UK, Europe and the Middle East, working alongside soldiers from many nations towards a common goal.

I took from my time in the Forces an unwavering sense of national pride and duty, and the belief that society is stronger when we work together to ensure everyone does well.

After many moves around the country with the Army, I was pleased to return to the Swindon area that is so strong with my family connections, to rediscover the birthplace of my grandfather, and the workplace of generations of his family.

Eric Panting, my grandfather, was born in Ashford Rd in Eastcott in 1916 to a Great Western Railway family: my Great-Grandfather Albert (known as Jack) was a carpenter in the carriages and it’s been fantastic to show my children the life-size model of their ancestor at STEAM.

My family worked at GWR until it closed in the 1980s, and their names are listed on the wall.

Since leaving the Army, I have taken on a variety of volunteering roles with the Girl Guides, Royal British Legion, Swindon Restore and as a school governor.

I am standing to be your Member of Parliament in South Swindon because I truly believe that the constituency needs a strong representative who will fight to secure funding for our schools, who will fight to keep the NHS working, fully staffed and in public hands, and who will stand up for Swindon’s jobs and small businesses when it comes to negotiating Brexit.

I am committed to working for all residents in South Swindon, to ensuring basic rights such as affordable and habitable housing are met and to ensuring the funding to allow our local government to fulfill its responsibilities.

I feel strongly that Swindon has a bright future as a town of opportunity and innovation, but that future is not assured by a Conservative government who will keep education spending down and make it harder for small businesses to succeed.

Labour is offering real investment in education and skills to equip Swindon’s economy with world-class skilled workers and entrepreneurs.

KEY PLEDGES:

Protect jobs in Swindon as we enter Brexit negotiations.

Fight to increase per pupil funding in real terms for Swindon’s schools.

Address the funding crisis of our local NHS facilities, particularly A&E capacity at the GWH.

Protecting affordable and habitable housing as a basic right.