Just in case you forgot....
Just in case you forgot what this country was like before the current government go back and listen to the Specials, UB40 in fact any punk or SKA band you could ever mention.
While you can feel free to listen to 'Dave' Cameron and his boy wonder or just take a moment to read the following reasons why I am still proud to vote for and be a member of the Labour Party:
A rising National Minimum Wage - the annual updating benefits 1 million people a year.
The shortest waiting times since NHS records began.
Three million more operations carried out each year than in 1997, with more than double the number of heart operations.
Over 44,000 more doctors
Over 89,000 more nurses
Over three quarters of GP practices now offer extended opening hours for at least one evening or weekend session a week.
All prescriptions are now free for people being treated for cancer or the effects of cancer, and teenage girls are offered a vaccination against cervical cancer. All prescriptions in Wales are free for everyone.
The NHS can now guarantee that you will see a cancer specialist within two weeks if your GP suspects you may have cancer. Whatever your condition, you will not have to wait more than 18 weeks from GP referral to the start of hospital treatment - and most waits are much shorter than this.
22 million people are benefiting from real tax cuts to boost their income this year.
12 million pensioners benefiting from increased Winter Fuel Payments
900,000 pensioners lifted out of poverty
500,000 children lifted out of relative poverty and measures already in train will lift around a further 500,000 children out of poverty.
Free TV licences for over-75s
The New Deal has helped over 2 million people into work
Over 3 million Child Trust Funds have been started
Nearly 3,000 Sure Start Children's Centres opened, reaching 2 million children and their families
Over 42,400 more teachers and 123,000 more teaching assistants than in 1997
There have been approximately 3,700 rebuilt and significantly refurbished schools; including new and improved classrooms, laboratories and kitchens.
A free nursery place for every 3 and 4 year old.
Doubled the number of registered childcare places to more than 1.5 million, one for every four children under eight years old
In 1997 more than half of all schools saw less that 30% of their pupils fail to get 5 good GCSEs including English and Maths. Now only 270 schools fail this benchmark and we are guaranteeing that no school should fail this mark after 2011.
The UK is now smoke free, with no smoking in most enclosed public places.
Over £20 billion invested in bringing social housing to decent standards
Free off-peak travel on buses anywhere in England for over-60s and disabled people
Since 1997 overall crime is down 36 per cent; domestic burglary is down 54 per cent; vehicle related crime is down 57 per cent; and violent crime is down 41 per cent.
Police numbers up by 16,000 since 1997, alongside more than 16,000 Police Community Support Officers
Equalised the age of consent and repealed Section 28.
Through the introduction of civil partnerships, Labour has for the first time given legal recognition to same-sex partners. Gay couples now have the same inheritance, pension and next-of-kin rights as married couples.
More than doubled Britain's overseas aid budget. UK aid helps lift an estimated 3 million people out of poverty every year
Cancelled up to 100 per cent of debt for the world's poorest countries
Britain now has more offshore wind capacity than any country in the world. Wind last year provided enough electricity to power 2 million homes
Free admission to our national museums and galleries.
Devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, an elected Mayor and Assembly for London and directly-elected mayors for those cities that want them.
Signed the Social Chapter and introduced measures including: four weeks' paid holiday; a right to parental leave; extended maternity leave; a new right to request flexible working; and the same protection for part-time workers as full-time workers.
There is a bitter pill to swallow, no doubt, things will not get better yet. The choice however is do you really want that extra little bit of cash in your pocket Or do you want a fair and just society?
I do not view their achievements through rose tinted specs and tomorrow I'll deal with why Labour on why they cocked up.
While you can feel free to listen to 'Dave' Cameron and his boy wonder or just take a moment to read the following reasons why I am still proud to vote for and be a member of the Labour Party:
A rising National Minimum Wage - the annual updating benefits 1 million people a year.
The shortest waiting times since NHS records began.
Three million more operations carried out each year than in 1997, with more than double the number of heart operations.
Over 44,000 more doctors
Over 89,000 more nurses
Over three quarters of GP practices now offer extended opening hours for at least one evening or weekend session a week.
All prescriptions are now free for people being treated for cancer or the effects of cancer, and teenage girls are offered a vaccination against cervical cancer. All prescriptions in Wales are free for everyone.
The NHS can now guarantee that you will see a cancer specialist within two weeks if your GP suspects you may have cancer. Whatever your condition, you will not have to wait more than 18 weeks from GP referral to the start of hospital treatment - and most waits are much shorter than this.
22 million people are benefiting from real tax cuts to boost their income this year.
12 million pensioners benefiting from increased Winter Fuel Payments
900,000 pensioners lifted out of poverty
500,000 children lifted out of relative poverty and measures already in train will lift around a further 500,000 children out of poverty.
Free TV licences for over-75s
The New Deal has helped over 2 million people into work
Over 3 million Child Trust Funds have been started
Nearly 3,000 Sure Start Children's Centres opened, reaching 2 million children and their families
Over 42,400 more teachers and 123,000 more teaching assistants than in 1997
There have been approximately 3,700 rebuilt and significantly refurbished schools; including new and improved classrooms, laboratories and kitchens.
A free nursery place for every 3 and 4 year old.
Doubled the number of registered childcare places to more than 1.5 million, one for every four children under eight years old
In 1997 more than half of all schools saw less that 30% of their pupils fail to get 5 good GCSEs including English and Maths. Now only 270 schools fail this benchmark and we are guaranteeing that no school should fail this mark after 2011.
The UK is now smoke free, with no smoking in most enclosed public places.
Over £20 billion invested in bringing social housing to decent standards
Free off-peak travel on buses anywhere in England for over-60s and disabled people
Since 1997 overall crime is down 36 per cent; domestic burglary is down 54 per cent; vehicle related crime is down 57 per cent; and violent crime is down 41 per cent.
Police numbers up by 16,000 since 1997, alongside more than 16,000 Police Community Support Officers
Equalised the age of consent and repealed Section 28.
Through the introduction of civil partnerships, Labour has for the first time given legal recognition to same-sex partners. Gay couples now have the same inheritance, pension and next-of-kin rights as married couples.
More than doubled Britain's overseas aid budget. UK aid helps lift an estimated 3 million people out of poverty every year
Cancelled up to 100 per cent of debt for the world's poorest countries
Britain now has more offshore wind capacity than any country in the world. Wind last year provided enough electricity to power 2 million homes
Free admission to our national museums and galleries.
Devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, an elected Mayor and Assembly for London and directly-elected mayors for those cities that want them.
Signed the Social Chapter and introduced measures including: four weeks' paid holiday; a right to parental leave; extended maternity leave; a new right to request flexible working; and the same protection for part-time workers as full-time workers.
There is a bitter pill to swallow, no doubt, things will not get better yet. The choice however is do you really want that extra little bit of cash in your pocket Or do you want a fair and just society?
I do not view their achievements through rose tinted specs and tomorrow I'll deal with why Labour on why they cocked up.