Meet the general election candidates for the Warwick and Leamington seat: Matt Western (Labour)

This is the pitch from Matt Western, representing the Labour Party (all the other candidates can be found on our website):

It has been an absolute honour to represent Warwick and Leamington - the community I love and where I have lived for over 15 years – and it is a privilege to stand again.

This is the most critical election in decades. There is so much at stake and the choice cannot be clearer.

I have spoken out in Parliament against deep cuts to our public services under both Conservative and Conservative-Lib Dem Governments. Our NHS has suffered from chronic underfunding. A&E waiting times are the worst on record and Warwick Hospital hit winter crisis levels in September. Local schools have lost on average £234 per pupil. Violent crime has soared due to 20,000 less police officers nationally.

We cannot go on like this. A Labour Government will give our public services the resources they desperately need.

The environment is crucial to us all. I voted to declare a climate emergency, co-signed the Plastic Pollution Reduction Bill, and hosted a local Air Quality Summit to clean up our air. If re-elected, I will work to decarbonise our country focusing on protecting our green spaces and investing in sustainable transport solutions.

Johnson has made a mess of Brexit. I spent 25 years in the automotive industry – his deal will harm businesses and local residents. It will lead to decade-long trade talks. If re-elected, I will push for a public vote on a least-damaging Brexit deal versus remain, where I’ll campaign to remain.

I’ve also been your local champion, opposing unneeded new Council offices, the Quarry in Barford and unnecessary, unaffordable housing developments – championing the need to build social housing instead.

It will be a choice between me and a Johnson-supporting Conservative candidate. Last time the Liberal Democrats came a very distant third with just 5% of the vote.

Trust me again in this election so I can stand up once more for all in our community and create real change across our country for the many, not the few.