Voters in the Old Bexley and Sidcup constituency will select their new MP tomorrow (December 2), following the tragic death of James Brokenshire. 

Former local government secretary Mr Brokenshire won the seat with a majority of almost 19,000 at the 2019 general election.

Daniel Francis, a Bexley councillor and former leader of Bexley’s Labour group on the council, is standing for the Labour party.

News Shopper has given the main candidates the opportunity to speak directly to readers ahead of polling day.

Daniel Francis - Labour

On Thursday we go to the polls in Old Bexley and Sidcup in this one off opportunity for you to have your say and send a message to the Conservative Government in Westminster that you, and your community deserve a better deal.

I liked James Brokenshire. He showed us that being decent in politics really mattered.

But what we’ve seen from the Conservatives in Westminster recently is anything but decent. Whether it’s voting to allow sewage to be dumped into our rivers or voting to protect their own after they broke the rules.

I’ve spent the past few weeks talking to residents across Old Bexley and Sidcup and I’ve heard time and time again, how you’re fed up of this Conservative Government taking you for granted.

Whether it’s one rule for them and one rule for us or embarrassing CBI speeches not taking businesses seriously - we’re not laughing and we’re all agreed that the prime ministers jokes just aren’t funny anymore!

And as a local councillor, I’ve seen how the Conservative Council has let people down here too.

We’ve had 10 years of tax rises but local services are getting worse. Their inaction has led to bin strikes with streets getting dirtier and bins going unemptied. Cuts to lollipop patrols putting school children’s safety at risk.

I helped to stop them when they tried to illegally withdraw school transport from disabled children and have a track record of standing up for our area. As your MP I will always work to put your priorities first.

I’m proud to call Old Bexley and Sidcup my home. I’ve lived in Bexley all my life and am raising my children here. My first job was at Bexleyheath M&S where I worked for 11 years. It taught me the importance of hard work and community.

We need to restore public faith in our democracy, not cynically exploit it. On Thursday you have the opportunity to elect an MP who will work every day to put you first. Whether it is Albany Park, Bexley Village, Blackfen, Falconwood, Sidcup or Welling I’ll champion our local community in Westminster.

Please put your trust in me and vote Labour on 2nd December.

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