Since 1997 the Eltham constituency has been represented by a Labour MP. The local council has been under Labour control for over 30 years but at this end of the borough it seems money is never available and people’s concerns never taken that seriously. Eltham is the forgotten part of Greenwich and a decade of Labour government has not brought the promised benefits. Many local people now think it is time for a change but are perhaps unsure what the alternative is.

David Gold and his partner enjoy life in Eltham but know it could be so much better. The last decade has seen a dramatic increase in violent crime and anti-social behaviour, vandalism makes our streets feel unsafe, our parks are blighted by yobs on scooters, commuters feel vulnerable walking home from the station.

Council Tax has risen faster than most people’s incomes yet services have been cut. From January 2008 non-recyclable waste will be collected fortnightly instead of weekly. Eltham secondary schools, despite the hard work of students and teachers, remain in the bottom 25% of schools nationally. A fifth of Year 7 pupils leave the borough for their education, for which parents are criticised by the Labour MP; truancy levels in the borough are the second highest in the country and over 17% of students are expelled or suspended from school. Eltham’s Labour MP voted against education reforms which were agreed by cross-party consensus, including the Conservative Party.

The government admits it has lost control of immigration and can’t locate thousands of illegal entrants who have gone missing. Many are convicted criminals. Controlled immigration helps this country and brings much needed skills, such as nursing. But public services are struggling with demand and local hospitals are facing severe cuts to frontline services. The proposed Greenwich congestion charge and the end of the Blackwall Tunnel Tidal Flow are the latest measures designed to punish motorists who cannot squeeze into the overcrowded public transport system.

Now the government has refused to honour a solemn promise to hold a referendum on the EU constitution. After a decade in power, complacency and arrogance are the norm. The voters seem not to matter.

Eltham deserves better. Eltham deserves a stronger voice. Eltham deserves someone who will stand up for the people who live here. Only David Gold, the Conservative Party Parliamentary Candidate can provide that stronger voice.