This is a two horse race – on Friday morning we will have either a Tory or Labour led Council, neither the Lib Dems nor any of the other parties offer a credible alternative.

I will be voting Labour and I hope I can offer some good reasons why you should too.

Sometimes when we see only hostile assessments of what the Labour Government are doing it is easy for Labour supporters to stay at home. But of course these are local elections about what's best for the people of Hastings.

Whatsmore remember it is the Tories who currently control the Council and their record is little short of appalling:

Dithering and indecision over the pier meaning we have drift and a total lack of direction – not good enough when it comes to the future of such an important part of our heritage. Labour would take out a compulsory purchase order and give the 'Friends of Hastings Pier' the support they need to give this icon a viable future.

The 'behind closed doors' negotiations that led to Sonrise Church taking over St Mary in the Castle were little short of shambolic. We shouldn't blame Sonrise Church for the ineptitude of the Tory leadership. However, to ensure the people of Hastings get the best deal we need an open and competitive selection process - that cannot be delivered through back room deals and secrecy. Labour will ensure transparency in all such future negotiations.

The Government recently provided funding to make concessionary bus travel for over 60s or disabled people England-wide. This direct money provided for a 9:30am start but the Government has also provided hugely increased funding through the 'Working Neighbourhood Fund' which our Council are free to spend as they see fit. Our neighbouring Councils have agreed to extend the service to a 9am start. Not our Tory council though – they are unwilling to spend the £30,000 it would cost even though the Government have made it possible. Labour have pledged to spend that money and extend the service to 9am if returned to office.

Labour offer direction and leadership as well as practical policies which will benefit those in our community who need it the most – and they have the best candidates too.

On a final note I would like to remind everyone about the importance of voting. At the start of this article I referred to a "two horse race" for leadership of the Council. That is true but we cannot forget other parties are standing.

Four wards have BNP candidates and whoever you vote for today I urge you to vote against them. They preach nothing but hatred and fear, they offer us no hope for the future and pin blame for all the world's problems on the colour of someone's skin. Whatever the question the BNP are not the answer.
So I ask you: go out and vote, make your voice heard and let the Fascists know they have no place in Hastings - that is democracy.