Don Touhig Labour THERE is no greater privilege than representing people from my own valleys in Parliament. I was born and brought up in the valleys and live with my family in Blackwood.

As I go around the constituency talking to people I better understand their hopes and aspirations and I hear how a Labour government is making a big difference in people's lives.

Young families are now able to benefit from lower mortgage rates, half what they were under the Tories, with the opportunity to have a job and make work pay through tax credits.

They appreciate the Child Trust Fund and the help that Home-Start gives them in those vital first few years of their children's lives. With Labour, women are increasingly able to have both a career and a family, knowing that affordable childcare is becoming available.

On our streets, CCTV, more police and community support officers are making a difference, with new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour.

People tell me what a difference it makes to have a decent minimum wage, which will rise over £5 later this year and again next year. They now have the right to join a trade union, and Labour's strong economy has means that people who want to work can find a job, with the training they need to get new skills.

I talk to pensioners and they tell me what a difference a Labour government is making to them. They remember only too well the days when the Tories expected them to live on just £69 a week.

With this Labour government they have seen above-inflation pension rises, the Pension Credit, free bus travel, free TV licences for over 75s, £200 help for winter fuel (with an extra £100 for over 80s) and £200 for council tax.

People I talk to appreciate Labour's plans for a new £100m hospital and they recognise that Labour is putting in the investment and reform to make our health service better. Everybody I talk to wants to keep Labour's NHS free to all, based on need not ability to pay. Nobody wants the Tory policy of huge charges for hospital operations.

Miners and their families appreciate that under Labour they are getting justice at last, with £36m paid so far in compensation and more to come. I will not rest until all get justice.

All elections are about choice - this is no exception. The real choice is between a Labour government led by Tony Blair or a Conservative government led by Michael Howard. Remember: the only way to get a Labour government is vote Labour.