AS THE build up to the May 6 General Election continues, we re focussing on the candidates bidding to win your vote. Here the candidates for the North East Herts seat, which covers Royston and the surrounding villages, tell you, in their own words, why yo

AS THE build up to the May 6 General Election continues, we're focussing on the candidates bidding to win your vote.

Here the candidates for the North East Herts seat, which covers Royston and the surrounding villages, tell you, in their own words, why you should back them when polls open next week.

Oliver Heald (Conservative): I am a truly local candidate and want to continue to stand up for your area. Conservatives would scrap planning targets and let local people decide. We would cut national debt and national insurance helping people into work. We would support families with more health visitors and back couples in tax and benefits.

David Kirkman (Labour): With the general election approaching, I am proud to stand as the Labour party candidate for the people of North East Herts. With the recovery hanging in the balance, the stakes have never been higher. Labour is the only real choice to protect jobs, police, the NHS and education.

Hugh Annand (Liberal Democrat): Nick Clegg's performance in the Prime Ministerial debates last week, and the public reaction to it, show the Liberal Democrats are a credible alternative to Laberservative to form the next government. We have credible policies and a credible team. All we need are the votes-so what's stopping you?

Adrianne Smyth (UK Independence Party): I am a life long Hertfordshire resident fighting to preserve the green belt from housing pressures caused by uncontrolled immigration. I want Britain to return to self government and withdraw from EU domination. Britain is a trading nation and should be free to trade worldwide on its own terms, not controlled by Brussels.

Rosemary Bland (Green Party): Business as usual results in broken communities, remote services, growing inequality and damage to our environment. Green policies seek to reverse this with positive policies on job creation and protecting the NHS. Our support is growing and we will challenge unjust practices. The only wasted vote is one you don't believe in.

Richard Campbell (Independent): Parliament is a great institution which would benefit from me as an independent MP because I will bring some common sense and outsider ideas to politics. In life it is independent actions that win the day. We will all have to make extra efforts to overcome the hurdles that loom large. Enjoy the race and make sure you go out and vote.

Philip Reichardt (Independent): I believe in common-sense politics. I have three priorities-climate change because if we don't sort this out all the rest could just be academic. Education-our young people are our future and law and order-people need to know they have rights in expecting to be protected.

David Ralph (Your Right to Democracy Party): We have leaflet dropped all our constituents with information of our system. The Swiss have used a similar system for over 100 years, and it's the stage for all political persuasion.