Labour has failed voters, says Conservative candidate Simon Wilson

Businessman Mr Wilson said: “Trust in politicians locally has been badly damaged and I will show that all politicians are not the same, through the values I hold dearly: family life, hard work, honesty, integrity and fairness.

“I am not a career politician. I am a businessman with more than 20 years worth of experience in the transport industry. This gives me a better understanding and appreciation of the hopes, aspirations and fears of the hard-working people of Rotherham.

“Unlike Labour, I will guard and protect your finances. When times are hard people want to know what their money is being spent on, to ensure they are getting the best value for the money they pay. This is why, if elected, I will publish my expenses monthly.

“Labour brought the country to the brink of bankruptcy, doubling the national debt and leaving us with the biggest budget deficit in the developed world. Since coming to government, Conservatives have worked to reduce the deficit by a quarter.   

“In Rotherham we have 18,000 households where no-one works. This cannot go on. I passionately believe that families on benefits should not receive more money than a working family earns by going out to work every day.  

“By raising the income tax threshold Conservatives have taken 30,000 people locally out of paying any income tax.

“Rotherham is a great town with so much to offer, but the truth is it has been in decline for too long, resulting in below average life expectancy, too many teenagers becoming mums, and too many children living in real deprivation; only the Conservatives have the policies to enable us all to address and overcome these huge social problems.

“I’m committed to ensuring that schooling in Rotherham brings out the very best in all our young people, equipping them for their future, whether at university, in skills training or in the workplace. “Having two children who attended state schools in Yorkshire before going to university I want this opportunity to be available for all children who want it.

“The Government is committed to supporting the most disadvantaged children in Rotherham and is providing over three million pounds this year through the Pupil Premium to Rotherham schools.

“I believe in small government, in the private sector leading the economic recovery and creating opportunity.

“The announcement of Rolls Royce’s new manufacturing plant at the Advanced Manufacturing Park, bringing an initial 150 jobs, was great news; if elected I would work tirelessly to attract more investment and opportunity like this into Rotherham.

“Rotherham has a proud industrial past and I want to help deliver the great future the town has ahead of it.”