ON election day, The Argus has given five candidates from the main political parties the opportunity to make their final pitch to you the voters.

THIS week just one of Sussex’s wonderful community schools put 15 of its teachers and staff up for redundancy.

It’s a school that has done everything that has been asked of it and in return Government are slashing the very thing that creates new and exciting opportunities for our young people – great teachers and support staff.

Health is in crisis with a hospital, ambulance trust and commissioning body all in special measures and we have a rail network inflicting daily misery on commuters. This didn’t all happen by accident, it’s the result of policies brought in by this Government and supported by Tory MP’s across Sussex.

The Tories are trying to steamroller Sussex so there’s no longer any scrutiny and challenge to the assault on our public services and the stripping of support for older people in need of security and care.

Labour here is not just a voice of protest, we get things done. Not only have I had the law changed to protect abuse survivors, stood up for our security by getting the need for more armed police on to the agenda, but also workedwith the Labour-led council to end youth unemployment and finally build the thousands of affordable homes we need.

Theresa May is likely to emerge once more as Prime Minister tomorrow but there’s too much at stake in Sussex to give her the blank cheque she wants. Only Labour can give our communities the voice we need. Three key Labour manifesto points:

1. A new rail link between London and Brighton. Ending passenger misery for future generations

2. Keeping the winter fuel allowance and pensioner triple lock. Labour lifted 2.7 million pensioners out of poverty and we’ll never return to those days again.

3. Reinvesting in early years and replacing many of the Surestart centres lost in recent years. Giving toddlers the best start in life is essential for them, for families and society.