The Harrow Times has asked each parliamentary candidate to list five reasons why they should become MP for Harrow East at the General Election on May 7.

Here Labour’s Uma Kumaran explains why you should vote for them.

1. Local values. Harrow is my home and home to the people I care about. I understand the issues affecting our community because they’re the same issues that affect my neighbours, friends and family. I can’t sit by and watch people here suffer under a Tory government for another five years.

2. Save our NHS. Under this Tory-led government, A&E waiting times at Northwick Park Hospital have become the worst in the country and it’s harder to see your GP. I’ve worked for our NHS and I’ll fight for our NHS. A Labour government will recruit 20,000 additional nurses and guarantee GP appointments within 48 hours. The NHS saved my father’s life and I want it to be there for others when they need it most too.

3. An economy that works for working people. The cost of living has soared and hard-working Londoners are on average £3,200 a year worse off while Harrow suffers the highest level of fuel poverty. I will fight for a fairer deal for Harrow residents in these difficult times. I want to see energy bills frozen, the bedroom tax scrapped, rail fares reduced, and families helped with free childcare for three and four-year-olds.

4. A good start for Harrow’s young people. From nursery to sixth form, I attended local state schools in Harrow and want to ensure our family of schools are saved from the Tory-led dismantling of our education system. I support Labour’s plans for more teachers in classrooms, lowering tuition fees to £6,000, and guaranteeing young people meaningful apprenticeships.

5. Put Harrow residents first. Harrow East has been let down by its Tory MP. I will show that by working together, we can tackle the issues that affect us all. If elected I will represent everyone in our diverse constituency, I will never have a second job or a second home, and I will never claim expenses for travel in the constituency.