Sir Keir Starmer on the campaign trail, visiting constituencies – and lots of football grounds

I’M running for an important job in this general election

The chance to make a difference to people’s lives. Fight inequality and injustice. And make sure people have the opportunities they need to live the lives they deserve.

That job is MP for Holborn and St Pancras.

It’s a job I’ve been privileged enough to do since 2015. I’ve lived in this area for more than 20 years. From the corner shop where I grab the milk and paper, to the schools my children go to; from the pubs where I watch Arsenal with a pint and my friends, to the barbers I get my haircut in. Not forgetting, of course, the local five-a-side pitch I play at every Sunday.

This is my community – although my wife jokes that, since she was actually born here, it was hers first. So I’m furious when I see the damage this Tory government has done to people around here. When I hear that people can’t get doctor’s appointments they desperately need.

Or I meet mothers who have lost children to knife crime, or parents scared for their children to walk home at night because of the anti-social behaviour that blights our streets.

When I hear that local business have had to close, because of the economic chaos caused by this government.

Or from local kids who can’t imagine a bright future ahead, because they’ve been totally abandoned by the Tories. It’s been humbling to try and help people in this community paying the price of the Tories as your local MP.

Whether that’s supporting people having problems with their housing, chairing the Camden Youth Safety Taskforce to tackle knife crime, or working with Camden Anchors to promote opportunities for young people. But there’s so much more to do. If I’m re-elected in July, I won’t stop fighting for the people in this community.

And if I’m privileged enough to lead a Labour government, I will make sure that the people of Holborn and St Pancras see the difference they deserve in their lives.

A Labour government would be committed to serving working people. We have changed the Labour party to put country first, party second. And as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, I will always make sure that your interests are put first.

That is why we have a plan.

A serious, long term plan for higher growth, safer streets, cheaper bills, an NHS back on its feet, secure borders and the opportunities our children deserve. And we have clear first steps towards each of those missions. Economic stability. 13,000 more neighbourhood police on your streets. 40,000 more NHS appointments each week. A new Border Security Command.

And 6,500 more teachers in our children’s schools. All of these steps are fully costed, fully funded and ready to go. The power of the vote is in your hands in this election. There’s a lot at stake.

But I truly believe that change is possible. That a better future is in our reach. And that together, we can turn the page, rebuild the country, and deliver for the people of Holborn and St Pancras.

Sir Keir Starmer has been the MP for Holborn and St Pancras MP since 2015. He is the leader of the Labour Party. A list of the declared candidates in Holborn and St Pancras so far is published in this week’s CNJ