My record (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

My record

11:29am Friday 5th February 2010

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Sir, – Spectator’s comments (D&S, Jan 29) about me were not only unfair but lacked balance.

So let me set the record straight.

First, about me. With the exception of 5½ years serving abroad as a soldier, I have spent my working life right in the North-East representing, among others, redundant steelworkers from Redcar; portworkers from Hartlepool and primary school workers from Middlesbrough.

Whether through family connections; work or from the time when stationed at Catterick, I have known Darlington all my life and am ideally placed to represent its interests within the North-East. The very last thing Darlington needs as its MP is an inexperienced Labour councillor with a track record for debt, waste and indecision.

Second, a few examples of what I have been up to in recent weeks and months:

● Campaigning against post office closures;

● Setting up a Darlington job club;

● Meeting residents plagued by anti-social behaviour and campaigning on their behalf;

● Spending time on the beat with the police;

● Meeting with the Probation Service, in the company of the Shadow Justice Secretary, to look at how best to reduce re-offending rates in this area;

● Town centre campaigning for improved pensions and savings;

● Lending support to the Salvation Army hostel for the homeless;

● Visiting the homeless charity, the 700 Club;

● Campaigning against the withdrawal of free bus travel for pensioners;

● Having face to face talks with the chief executive at the Memorial Hospital, on a wide variety of issues including the need to retain full A&E services in Darlington;

● Leaflet campaigning on the Labour council’s debt and waste;

I have also begun a series of question and answer sessions across the town at regular intervals in the period leading up to the election.

Over the next few days I will be visiting various schools and colleges, both mainstream and special needs; holding further talks regarding the minor stroke unit and hosting a visit by William Hague.

And as for my Labour and Liberal Democrat opponents?

Now they really are invisible.

EDWARD LEGARD Conservative prospective Parliamentary candidate for Darlington

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