http://swindon-labour.co.uk/victor – In this video, Victor Agarwal gives info on himself, his 3 main pledges and how crucial this election is for North Swindon.

Only with a strong Labour MP can Tory-run Swindon Borough Council be held to account. Building on Michael Wills’ excellent record, Victor has pledged to work to attract new jobs, improve our schools and deal with social inequalities in our community.

The Tory alternative is cuts, cuts and more cuts, butchering public services and slashing jobs.

Don’t let the Tories wreck the recovery!

Hear what Victor Agarwal, who is standing as prospective MP, has to say. He is standing as the Labour Candidate for Swindon North Parliamentary seat. Made in conjunction with Swindon Civic Trust.

Today (Wednesday)  I visited Swindon College – indulging my passion for training and leaving a promise to come back for a post-election haircut!

The visit began with an excellent lunch in the college restaurant which is staffed by the catering students.  The meals are prepared by the Gordon Ramsey’s of tomorrow and guests can watch the food being prepared in the kitchen via the TV screen in the dining room.   I was extremely impressed by the delicious food and professionalism of the students, and thought the bread and butter pudding was the best I’ve ever tasted.   Then I was given a tour of the college facilities.  Including the art vocational training centre.   I saw first hand the great work that the college does with apprenticeships – particularly plumbing and engineering.

Many courses will benefit if the Labour Party is returned to government and can deliver its manifesto target of having 75% of young people going on to higher education or completing an advanced apprenticeship by the age of thirty.   I was pleased to hear that the college had signed a contract with Job Centre Plus which arose out of the Labour Party’s commitment to provide a either work, training, education or an apprenticeship to any 19-24 who has been unemployed for more than six months – a policy opposed by the Conservative Party.

I believe that the focus that the Labour Party has excellent policies on higher education.  It has given a boost to vocational training – which is crucial for a town like Swindon with a strong manufacturing base, and the Labour Party’s promise to fund 70,000 advanced apprenticeships is going to be vital to protect our economy and attract new well paying jobs in the future.

Then I spoke to a number of hairdressing students in the new enrichment centre, and was able to agree with them on the importance of the political process and the need to reinvigorate politics by taking steps such as the reduction of the voting age down to sixteen.   I also promised to return after the election to see the hairdressing facilities and would be delighted to try out a haircut!

My tour concluded with meeting Andrew Miller, the College Principal, who thanked me for highlighting the College’s important work and raised a number of issues which Victor I promised to pursue if elected as MP for North Swindon.

It’s great to see the progress being made at places like Swindon College.  Education and training are vital for our future and it is clear to see the benefits of labour’s investment in the sector.   If elected I would do everything in my power to ensure that we continue to improve funding in order to guaranty good jobs and a strong economy.

Victor Agarwal, Labour Candidate

Wow, Tuesday 20th was a big day:  the Prime Minister Gordon Brown came to Swindon with his wife Sarah and Ed Milliband also.

It was good to meet them and discuss some of the issues affecting the area.  Anne Snelgrove the South Swindon candidate was his PPS and knows him well.  It was great to have a tour of the Drove Peoples Campus with the Head-teacher and see for ourselves the difference Labour’s investment has made to the community.

Drove is not just a primary school, the staff, led by Nick Capstick, really push the envelope when it comes to running the school and trying out new things. The Campus also offers adult learning courses, health groups, family groups and even has its own radio show.

Anne and I welcomed Gordon before taking him on a tour of the Campus. We also met with around 70 people in the main hall to discuss issues ranging from healthcare in Swindon to citizenship.  It was very interesting to hear real people putting their questions to Gordon, Anne and I.

What Drove shows is that education in Swindon really has been revolutionised over the past 13 years. Not only have many schools been rebuilt or are completely new, but importantly, the funding per pupil has increased by a life-changing £1,000+. With this investment exam results have improved and we can be proud of our children and teachers that have worked so hard.

Labour will continue to invest in children’s education with things like one-to-one tuition for primary school pupils who need help to catch-up, raising the education leaving age to 18, and protecting Sure Start Centres.

What Gordon made absolutely clear was that Swindon’s economy is dependent upon securing the recovery. To risk it all by cutting support as the Tories want to, would send Swindon back and risk thousands of jobs. The choice is clear, Gordon Brown who handled the economic crisis and is securing the recovery and the Tories who have called it wrong throughout the recession and are wrong now on the recovery.

Victor Agarwal, Labour Candidate, N Swindon.

Tonight I’ll be talking to party members in Even Swindon Community Centre,  Jennings St,  Swindon Swindon SN2 2BG.

The meeting will be open to members of the public from 8pm to 9pm and all are welcome.

Victor Agarwal,  Labour Candidate, North Swindon victor4nswindon@googlemail.com

Saturday was another busy day of campaigning –  getting our Labour message across in Western Ward.   Several residents raised the issue of hunting,  and were concerned about Tory plans to restore fox-hunting.  Labour made fox hunting and other cruel sports illegal, and I fully support this policy.  A petition to ‘back the ban’ is available here.

Here I am with Mr Ali and his staff at the Curry Place on Rodbourne Road (The Lane) which is close to where I live. They were keen to show their support for my campaign, and I'm looking forward to visiting as many local pubs and restaurants as I can over the coming weeks and beyond. If you'd like to show the support of your pub or restaurant to my campaign please contact me through this website.

Victor Agarwal, Labour Candidate, N Swindon.

I  have lived and worked in Swindon all my life and have brought up my children here.  I also have family in Shaw and Nine Elms. I am retired so would have time to commit to being a councillor and if I am elected would fight to bring Labour values to this area.

As a councillor, I would be committed to helping everyone in the community to get proper representation from their local councillors, and to actively taking up issues on their behalf.

Carol Heavens