A FEW weeks ago I asked whether any of the local Labour letter writing team could give some positive reasons for Echo readers to vote Labour.

Instead of positive reasons for another five years of Gordon Brown, all that these people have come up with is bile and invective about fox-hunting, unitary government and party funding: issues which interest and concern the few and not the many.

So, I repeat my challenge today: what are the positive reasons to vote Labour?

After destroying pension funds; increasing the tax burden on to the poor and middle income earners, remember the 10p tax disaster and the tax on jobs which is the NI increase; and failing to deal with the real causes of crime and anti-social behaviour, why should Labour be given another term?

This country desperately needs to change and it is only the Conservative Party which offers positive policies which will bring about change.

We will protect and increase NHS spending and ensure it serves the needs of patients for example on the availability of drugs and medicines — what are Labour's plans?

We offer political reform. The number of MPs and the amount ministers are paid will be cut and we will provide the ability to remove MPs who do wrong — have Labour got any plans?

We will rescue our economy and create jobs by starting the process of cutting the deficit to protect Britain's credit rating, by scrapping the National Insurance increase — a tax on jobs as described by over 30 major business leaders, government advisors and organisations — and by removing government set targets and regulations, in contrast to Labour's plans to wait four years, to increase NI and to carry on as before regardless of the consequences.

The choice is stark: a backward looking Labour Party intent on fighting yesterday's battles or the Conservative Party with the fresh and positive policies which will change Britain for the better.

Cllr James Taghdissian

Polsloe ward, Exeter