Pedro Diogo is standing for Labour in Cleveland Ward

I am delighted to be standing for election to Ealing Council in Cleveland ward on Thursday 22nd May. Growing up locally and attending Brentside High School has given me the opportunity to experience what our borough has to offer, from excellent leisure facilities at Gurnell to the world-class Pitshanger Park.

Having been fortunate to grow up under a Labour government, I reaped the benefits of the Building Schools for the Future programme, record GCSE results and, of course, lower tuition fees.

I got into politics when I first studied the subject at college and began to understand what set Labour apart from the Conservatives: giving everyone an equal opportunity to achieve and succeed, promoting community development and safeguarding the most vulnerable people in our society.

In practice, these values are evident in Labour’s priorities in Ealing. Despite £87m of cuts from the Conservative / Liberal Democrat coalition government, Labour has worked with residents to keep all of our libraries open, it has engaged with local communities to foster more investment in our high streets and the use of local independent shops, and it was Labour that protected our communities by increasing the number of police officers funded by the council from 4 to 28.

These values and policies are what set Labour apart from the Conservatives, who have pledged uncosted and unrealistic policies, and as was this week revealed, would require £101million more funding than the Council expects to receive in the next four years.

I am in the business of telling the truth and fighting for your interests. Whilst at university, I was fortunate to have been elected to serve as a local councillor there, and worked hard every day to secure the interests of residents. When residents were concerned about late-night licensing applications, I was there on their side; when residents had their homes flooded, I was there carrying sandbags; and when residents were struggling to pay their bills, I fought and won a better council budget for them.

I believe that Cleveland deserves a hard-working councillor, who is unafraid to challenge complacency and inefficiency, to get a better deal for Cleveland. I want to promote the economic regeneration of our town centres, secure a better deal for local businesses and deliver on road safety, crime reduction and better neighbourhood policing.

Young people I speak with across Cleveland tell me that there aren’t enough opportunities for them. I want to work with local organisations and volunteers to promote more opportunities for young people to get involved in our community, whether it’s sport, art, music or volunteering, we cannot negate young people the chances they deserve.

With the regeneration of Copley Close underway, improvements in Gurnell Estate and road resurfacing taking place across the whole borough, it is important to remember that it is Labour that is delivering for Ealing.

Next Thursday, you will have the chance to vote your three new councillors. I am committed to being on your side, promoting your interests and getting things done as part of a Labour administration. My successful track record shows that I don’t play politics with local issues. I get things done. I get problems solved.

On Thursday 22nd May, put your three crosses next to the Labour rose – to get things done, to deliver for Cleveland, to have three Labour councillors who will work hard for you every day

Candidates for Cleveland Ward can be viewed here

May 15th 2014