Thank you to all those who voted for me in the general election yesterday. It is ironic that although I received more votes than in any of the previous three elections I have fought in Bury North it was not enough as Labour advanced by even more.

It has been a great honour and privilege to serve all the residents in Bury North in the last two Parliaments.

The polls are open until 10pm this evening.

These are the words of the Prime Minister Theresa May:

‘Today is a day for everybody across the country to fix their sights on the future and vote for a better future of fairness, security and opportunity for all.
‘That is the future I want for Britain as we fulfil the promise of Brexit together.
‘If we get Brexit right, we can build a Britain that is more prosperous and more secure. A Britain in which prosperity and opportunity is shared by all. A Britain where it’s not where you come from or who your parents are that matter, but the talent you have and how hard you are prepared to work. The greatest meritocracy in the world.
‘That’s my ambition for Britain. Not just to get the right deal for Britain abroad, but to get a better deal for ordinary working people at home. To put the power of government firmly at their service, to stand up for the weak and stand up to the strong, and put the voices and interests of ordinary working people at the heart of everything we do.
‘It’s why I will build a Britain that is stronger, so that everyone has the security they need to live a full and happy life. Why I will build a Britain that is fairer, so that no one is left behind and every person has the chance to be all they want to be. Why I will build a Britain where prosperity and opportunity are shared across the country so that all can succeed. A stronger, more united country that stands tall in the world.
‘This is the prize ahead if we get Brexit right. So if, like me, you believe in Britain. If, like me, you want our country to succeed. If, like me, you believe in putting division behind us, in looking to the future and getting on with the job of building the stronger, more secure country that we need, then fix your sights on the future. And in this unique and crucial election for our country, give me your backing to lead Britain, speak for Britain, fight for Britain, and deliver for Britain.
‘I can only build that better country and get the right deal in Brussels with the support of the British people. So whoever you have voted for in the past, if that is the future you want then vote Conservative today and we can all go forward together.’

Tomorrow every vote counts to secure Britain’s future:
There is no such thing as a safe Labour or Lib Dem vote. Because if only 6 seats fall including Bury North there will be the chaos of a hung Parliament.Vote Local Labour or Local LibDem and the consequences are dire:

· The chaos of a Corbyn / SNP / Lib Dem Coalition.

· Jeremy Corbyn as PM who can’t lead on Brexit and opposes shooting-to-kill terrorists.

· Policies based on a magic money tree, higher taxes and debt.

· Diane Abbott in charge of national security and immigration.

Back Theresa May’s Conservative Team in the National Interest:

· Back her team and strengthen her hand to see Brexit through.

· Back Strong and Stable leadership for Britain.

· Back an economic plan for more jobs, lower taxes and better services.

· Back strong national security and controlled immigration.

Only by voting Conservative tomorrow can you ensure we see Brexit through and keep our nation secure and prosperous.

The Conservatives plan for tough action against terrorism includes:
· Stronger disruptive powers for the police and security services.

· Longer sentences for terrorism-related offences.

· Stopping the internet being a safe space for terrorists.

· More intervention to stop extremism in British communities.

Only yesterday it was revealed that Jeremy Corbyn addressed a rally including hundreds of members of the banned extremist group Al-Muhajiroun – showing exactly why he is unfit to lead the country.
The choice tomorrow is between Theresa May, who acts to protect our national interest and keep our country safe, and Jeremy Corbyn, who stands up for the very people who want to do us harm.
There is a very real risk that Jeremy Corbyn and his shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott will be in charge of our security and borders on Friday unless people vote for the Conservatives.

There is also a clear choice on Brexit:

· Just 11 days after polling day, Brexit negotiations will begin. Getting these negotiations right will be central to everything we do as a country. Get them right and we can be build a stronger, fairer, more prosperous country – get them wrong and we will pay the price for generations.
· Vote for Theresa May and the Conservatives and we can get on with Brexit, building a great, global trading nation once again bringing new jobs and new opportunities for ordinary working families here at home. And we can also control our borders, our money and our laws once again.
· Vote for any other party and you risk Jeremy Corbyn negotiating Brexit by the end of the week, with the SNP and minor parties pulling the strings. That would cause chaos and confusion for our country. Three quarters of Jeremy Corbyn’s own MPs don’t have confidence in him. There is no way he could negotiate the Brexit deal that Britain needs – he said only last week that he would be prepared to take any deal the EU offers rather than negotiating hard. Ordinary working families would pay the price for this with fewer jobs, higher taxes and more debt.
Remember the choice on national security:

· The dreadful events in London at the weekend underline that we need a strong Prime Minister who will do what is necessary to keep our country safe.
· Vote for Theresa May and the Conservatives and we will bring in stronger disruptive powers for the police and security services; longer sentences for terrorism related offences; stop the internet being a safe space for terrorists; and ensure more intervention to stop extremism in British communities.
· Vote for any other party and you risk Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott in charge of our national security by the end of the week. Jeremy Corbyn has made clear that he opposes allowing the police to shoot-to-kill terror suspects, he boasts that he has voted against all counter-terrorism legislation, and will not say whether he would back drone strikes on terrorists abroad.
Remember the choice on economic security

· Over the past 7 years together we have made hard-won economic gains as a country. Since Labour’s Great Recession we have helped businesses create 2.9 million more jobs, given the average taxpayer a £1,000 tax cut through rises in the personal allowance and we’ve increased the basic state pension by £1,250 – all while cutting the deficit by three quarters as a share of our economy.
· Vote for Theresa May and the Conservatives and we can get on with locking in the economic progress we have made – backing businesses to create more jobs. 

I was able to welcome the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Liz Truss to Bury yesterday as she helped in our campaign. Unfortunately, her visit coincided with some of the heaviest rain we have seen since the campaign began. Nevertheless, many thanks to all those who took the time to chat to us.

Less than two weeks after the bombing at the Manchester Arena another terrorist attack in London. More innocent lives lost as a result of evil individuals pursuing a perverted view of Islam. We must not allow these people to succeed. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. This latest attack was all too reminiscent of the attack outside Parliament in March, low tech and difficult for the security services to detect.

After last nights hustings at St. Andrew’s in Ramsbottom I will be taking part in another election debate this evening which will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Manchester. The event is being broadcast from the Elizabethan Suite at Bury Town Hall from 7pm. The Liberal Democrats candidate will be represented by one of Bury Council’s Liberal Democrat Councillors Cllr Tim Pickstone.

The ever popular 1940’s themed weekend organised by the East Lancashire Railway is on again this Bank Holiday weekend. It brings thousands of extra visitors to Bury and Ramsbottom helping to boost our local economy. It has had one or two relatively minor changes in the light of the Manchester Arena bombing last Monday but it is in all other respects going ahead as usual and well worth a visit.