The Times Series has asked each parliamentary candidate to explain why they should become an MP at the General Election on May 7.

Here Labour candidate for Hendon, Andrew Dismore, explains why you should vote for him.

I believe my 13 years as Hendon’s MP and 3 years as London Assembly member prove you can rely on me to be ‘hands on’, sorting things out as I did before.

The Conservatives cannot be trusted with our NHS. They promised to increase the police in Hendon, but now there’s far fewer officers than in 2010. Their cost of living crisis hurts Hendon residents hard.

It doesn’t have to be like this.

Vote for me, a plain speaker who stands up for you. With me, Hendon will have an NHS with time to care and a protected police front line. A vote for me means opportunities for young people and a cut in student fees; raising school standards; tackling the housing crisis and helping private renters; making work pay and banning unfair work practices; supporting small business; protecting our environment; and a fair plan for the deficit.

1. Labour will back our local NHS:

Labour guarantees GP appointments within 48 hours; and 20,000 more nurses, 8,000 more GPs, 5,000 more carers.

2. Labour will protect police the front line.

The Conservatives cut Barnet’s police by 69 officers and 112 PCSOs. Labour will defend the police front line.

3. Labour will make property developers provide homes for Hendon people.

The Conservatives have allowed property developers to let rip in Hendon- we need genuinely affordable homes for local people, not overseas speculators.

4. Labour will support Hendon families with 25 hours free child care for 3 and 4 year olds.

Labour’s free 25 hours wrap around childcare will support more mums and dads who work or who want to work.

5. I will challenge Conservative Barnet Council’s services sell off.

Conservative Barnet Council knows the price of everything but the value of nothing: they cut and privatise vital services, like libraries.