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

Here, Labour candidate Richard Butler sets out why you should vote for him.

I have lived in Hertsmere my whole life. I am a local councillor and a local businessman. I am passionate about local community life in the area and am currently Deputy Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood. I have served as a town and borough councillor for the past eight years. As your MP I will work with local groups to revive the sense of community that has been eroded.

My family has a tradition of deep commitment to community involvement. Devoting time to civic affairs came naturally to me from an early age. As a 12-year-old at Borehamwood’s Lyndhurst School I was selected to stand as a youth councillor - a role that I was proud to continue in until I was nineteen. Aged 15 I joined the Labour Party, inspired by their commitment to social justice. I have never looked back. For me, politics needs to deliver for local people first and foremost and Labour’s commitment to a One Nation Britain can do this. It is easy for ministers to talk about ‘The Big Society’. In my view it is ordinary people who devote their time that create that Big Society. This should be valued and nurtured by our political leaders.

I am proud to be associated with the local Four Parks Association who promote and work in the interests of parks in the constituency. I served for seven years as a governor of Borehamwood’s Meryfield Primary School. Children are the future of our community and I particularly enjoyed making a contribution to school life. Labour’s education policy reinforces the role of schools as being at the heart of local communities while promoting good citizenship and decent values.

I want to end rip-off prices on energy bills. Labour will freeze prices until 2017. Housing is a big concern in Hertsmere. We will help get people on the housing ladder by building appropriate homes for local families. We will also get a fair deal for renters and ban rip-off letting fees.

People worry about the NHS. We will tackle waiting times. We need to end the A&E crisis and ensure GP appointments in Hertsmere are available when needed. I will work to provide fairer access to mental health services and create an NHS with 21st century patient services, bringing together physical health, mental health and social care into a single system built around patients.

I will prioritise the development of social affordable homes for local people - to keep families together. I will help deliver increased security of tenure in the private rented section. In those parts of Hertsmere like Borehamwood, where local infrastructure is no longer sufficient due to massively increased development; I will work to ensure new investment in local infrastructure for each new home that is built.

I know that many parents in Hertsmere are now finding childcare costs so much that they can’t afford to return to work, childcare for two children can now cost more than your mortgage. Under the Tories, the cost of childcare has risen by a shocking 30 per cent. Labour will increase free childcare from 15 to 25 hours for working parents of three and four year olds. The shortage of childcare places will be tackled by doubling the number at Sure Start Centres. Every primary school in Hertsmere will provide childcare from 8am to 6pm each day to help parents balance work and family lives.

I will back Hertsmere’s entrepreneurs and small business. Local companies will benefit from Labour’s plans for a special investment bank. Labour will cut business rates and freeze energy bills for small firms.

In summary, here are five reasons that I am asking you to vote for me on 7th May:

1. I am committed local candidate, with a local track record, able to deliver for local people.

2. I'm not your typical politician. My life outside politics has given me experience of the real world.

3. I will work to deliver a better, fairer, comprehensive public transport system for Hertsmere.

4. Labour will ensure provision of good childcare and education for all young people, of all abilities and backgrounds.

5. I am committed to creating a safer, more tolerant, cohesive community – opposed to all forms of extremism, racism and antisemitism.

Do get in touch with me directly on 07706079439
 or richraymond2012@hotmail.co.uk if you want to discuss any of this in more detail. You can follow me on twitter via @cllrRbutler