Happy New Year!

First let me wish you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Tomorrow is the 4th of January and our local General Election campaign kicks off in earnest. The opinion polls are currently in our favour nationally and our canvassing returns show that this position is reflected locally, but we take absolutely nothing for granted. Nothing.

We have a committed and experienced campaign team that is focussed on just one thing: winning whenever Gordon Brown plucks up the courage to call an election. To win we know that we will have to work hard right up until 10 pm on Polling Day. That's what we will do.

Starting this coming week we will be working closely with our local Swale Borough candidates to distribute local leaflets in all wards across the constituency. These leaflets will be linked to a full scale canvassing exercise. I personally will be canvassing in three different wards every week until the end of March at which time the number of sessions will increase.

Next week sees also the launch of a local campaign to highlight the problem that some people face finding a NHS dentist. Details of this campaign, including a video, can be found on my website "Welcome" page. This campaign will be backed up with weekly adverts in our local newspapers throughout January.

The odds are still on a May 6th General Election, but should Gordon Brown choose to go to the country earlier then we will be ready here in Sittingbourne & Sheppey.