The Harrow Times has asked each parliamentary candidate to list five reasons why they should become an MP at the General Election on May 7.

Here the Conservative Party’s candidate for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, Nick Hurd, explains why you should vote for him.

1. Track record of helping constituents. For me, politics is about the chance to improve lives. Over the past ten years as MP, I have helped many thousands of residents with their problems, and fought many battles alongside residents to protect local quality of life - not least saving the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre.

2. Strong Voice for Pinner and Hatch End residents. Harrow Council has to make savings. The new Labour leadership is going about it in the wrong way. For months now I have been pressing the council to focus on cutting waste, rather than services that residents value. I have campaigned with Conservative councillors against the proposed Labour “bin tax” and am working to help save the Harrow Arts Centre from closure.

3. Standing up for Harrow. I want to make sure that Harrow remains one of the best places in London to live and work. That is why Conservatives are campaigning for a Crossrail extension to Harrow and Wealdstone. That is why we have pressed for a fairer funding formula for the local NHS and are investing in the new school places that we need.

4. Community champion. In a community as diverse as Harrow, we must value those voluntary organisations that bring people together. As a former minister for the voluntary sector, I have been a long standing champion of local charities; community groups and resident associations.

5. A strong economy. Under a Conservative-led government, unemployment has fallen sharply in Harrow. In this election, Conservatives are asking for your vote to continue the job of building a strong economy. It underpins everything else we want to do as a country whether it’s caring for our elderly, educating our children, looking after our military or investing in our NHS.