Vote Cruelty Free - vote Labour

As a candidate to be your next MP, interest groups are beginning to get in touch asking me to support their manifestos, or answer their surveys to give those of you who have a specific interest in the issues they advocate a way of finding out which candidates will best represent their concerns.

You'll have seen a few days ago that I was more than happy to sign up to support the Royal British Legion's manifesto, and I've now also signed up to support the "Vote Cruelty Free" campaign. Vote Cruelty Free comprises the BUAV, Compassion in World Farming, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), League Against Cruel Sports and Respect for Animals. It covers a broad range of animal welfare issues including wild and marine animals, animal experimentation, cruel sports, the fur trade and farming.

The alliance has sent its manifesto to all candidates announced for the next General Election and asked them to show their support for the issues raised.

A Vote Cruelty Free spokesperson said, ?Animal protection is an issue close to the UK public?s heart but this is often not reflected in current political debate. It is fantastic that Stuart King has shown he believes in animal protection issues as much as his potential future constituents in Putney; we are calling on all candidates to follow his lead by pledging their support for Vote Cruelty Free.?

Vote Cruelty Free is urging all candidates to pledge their support for the initiative. Voters can track candidates who have signed up by visiting the website at http://www.votecrueltyfree.org/.

Given the Conservative Party is committed to making foxhunting legal, this will be yet another issue on which there is clear blue water between Putney's Tory MP and me. The day after the election you'll wake up with her or me as your MP: there are no other credible options here in Putney. So if these are issues that concern you then vote for me - vote Labour.