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

Here the Labour candidate for Walthamstow, Stella Creasy, explains why you should vote for her.

 

Locally I will fight for our EMD cinema and our night time economy

For over twelve years now as a local campaigner I’ve been part of fighting to save our precious cinema, and return it to our community. The EMD has so much potential, not just to provide entertainment but arts training and business opportunities for our town centre through the Waltham Forest Cinema Trust. As long as I am MP you can be sure I will speak up for this project and help the Trust achieve its objectives.    

 

Nationally I will campaign to tackle poverty and household debt

Since Walthamstow elected me in 2010, I’ve made tackling poverty and household debt a priority- leading alongside local residents the national campaign to end legal loan sharking and tackle payday lending. Personal debt damages the lives of many here- we must tackle the way banks, credit card and loan companies prey on people struggling to make ends meet and work to ensure that everyone has access to affordable credit.

 

Locally I will fight for affordable and quality housing for all in Walthamstow

The price of housing is driving many out of our area and leaving others in overcrowded accommodation. In the last year we have taken on Walthamstow’s rogue estate and letting agents but we need to do much more. A decent home is not just about the cost of rent or a mortgage - it is also about the quality and sustainability of housing. Only Labour is committed to building the homes that we need and ending unfair agency fees to provide a city fit for all.

 

Nationally I will protect our NHS and vote to repeal the hated Health and Social Care Act

For too long, we've shared horror stories of our local NHS, whether at Whipps Cross hospital or problems getting GP appointments. We know frontline staff are doing their best, but cuts to budgets and this Government's hated Health and Social Care Act have made their job almost impossible. I have seen first hand how breaking up the NHS has made it too easy for service providers to blame each other for poor services rather than treating patients. We urgently need more doctors, investment in our GP practices, and more joined-up mental, social and public health services. I will work to protect the NHS, repeal the Health and Social Care Act and ensure parity between mental and physical healthcare.

 

Everyday I will work to unlock Walthamstow's talent through education, training and job opportunities

Many small businesses in our town centre, along Hoe Street, Forest Road and at the Bakers Arms are struggling to stay open. As MP I have championed initiatives to help small businesses and made tackling youth unemployment a priority. If Labour is elected, we will act to end exploitative zero hour contracts and the scandal of unpaid internships so that more young people from Walthamstow can get into the world of work. I will also fight to ensure Walthamstow has the quality school places it needs so that every child here can be educated in our community.