Why I should be MP for Hastings: Michael Foster, Labour

I love Hastings and it's good to see newcomers coming to live and love it too.

I hope I have in part repaid the privilege of representing my hometown over the past 13 years through hard work and enthusiasm. Working with others I have advocated causes great and small, been totally committed to making a difference and attracted investment.

The new college and University Centre, the link road, soon to be started, and of course more police meaning crime has been slashed '“ down 23 per cent in the last five years alone. Together we have succeeded in keeping key health services like accident and emergency and maternity at the Conquest.

But politics is always work in progress. Because I have my finger on the pulse I believe I instinctively know more about our needs and aspirations than any other candidate. You can't buy experience.

In future I want to work with parents and teachers to help our schools build on their improving results. I will fight to keep NHS services local. And above all I will always remember that MPs should be serving their communities and not themselves.

I really do believe here in Hastings that together we can.