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

Conservative candidate Molly Samuel-Leport explains why she thinks she is the best person for the job in Walthamstow.

• Labour have taken Walthamstow for granted for too long. I will make sure our Labour council is for once held to account for their poor record on housing, education, regeneration and support for community and business ventures.

• I am not a career politician. I have lived in East London my entire life and as a working mother, know the everyday issues that face families in Walthamstow

• Having already worked on the Waltham Forest Safer Neighbourhood Board, I will make sure I work closely with the police to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and make the streets of Walthamstow safer for families

• There are 1,435 fewer people having to claim unemployment benefit in Walthamstow since 2010, a 36% fall. I will continue to build on the Conservatives’ remarkable record on job creation (1.9million more people in work) and welfare reform to get even more people off benefits and in to work.

• As a former athlete, I will work with local groups to increase participation and opportunities in sport for our youngsters in Walthamstow