As MEPs from the most southerly and northerly constituencies we are backing David Miliband’s bid to be Leader of the Labour Party after hearing the views of 4 of the 5 candidates. We fear for the welfare of the most vulnerable in society and the lowest paid under the coalition Government. They need Labour back in power as soon as possible. Our duty is clear – to back the candidate most likely to achieve this. David struck us as having the drive, the programme and the commitment to make it happen.

We were impressed by David’s commitment to Europe and the role it can play in helping to build a fairer world. He has a strong reputation among social democrats throughout Europe and the commitment he demonstrated as Foreign Minister to promote active and constructive UK participation in the European Union will be invaluable.

Comment from Peter Skinner: “David was the first of the candidates to ask for our support, but we knew him already, as did a lot of MEPs, social democrats and those from across the political spectrum. David was well-known in Europe as a committed and forward-looking foreign minister. He has great respect among all of us here, and we know he is as committed as we are to seeing British engagement to help build a strong, outward-looking European Union that looks to tackle our common problems.”

Comment from David Martin: “At a time when Europe is facing big challenges and opportunities in tackling climate change, reforming the banking sector, strengthening our commitment to international development and securing balanced trade agreements, we need a leader committed to pursuing a constructive and positive role for the UK in the EU. We believe the dedication and drive in international affairs which charactarised David’s time as Foreign Secretary would be fundamental in his role as leader.”

David Martin MEP

Peter Skinner MEP

Among the many injustices of George Osborne’s first budget, a particular concern of mine is a proposal that will damage the competitiveness of employers in the South East, just as the region begins to recover from recession. Under the Tory chancellor’s plans, companies in the South East would not be exempt from £5,000 national insurance savings that competitors throughout the rest of the UK will benefit from.

Osborne is wrong to apply a one-size fits all approach to the entire South East region of Britain, which is vast and diverse. The South East is not London, it contains some poorer areas in need of further investment; Thanet for example has unemployment levels of around 9%. Osborne’s plans will damage the South East economy and make its companies less competitive.

The coalition has already begun to impose heavy burdens upon the South East. The suspension of £23m funding to the Kent Thameside Strategic Transport Programme will take away vital funding to the Thames Gateway and the national economy as a whole. The government has turned its back on jobs and growth in the economy and is already cutting vital services, as the Kent police force, which will have to make £20million worth of savings, has found out to the cost of the local community.

Budget not fair and not forward-looking!

More generally the Con-Dem Coalition’s Budget is unfair and relies on non-progressive means to get Britain out of recession. We all know that the debt needs to be cut, but the Chancellor’s plans will impose burdens on those least able to bear them. An increase in VAT will hit pensioners and the unemployed hardest. The huge cuts in public services as welfare will mean that we will soon feel the pinch of the coalition’s cuts.

Another Lib Dem let-down

What else is poignant in all of this is that Lib Dems have been willing participants, not just cheerleaders, to the Tory axeman. Clegg and Cable told us that under the Lib Dems there would be no return to Tory cuts; instead they’ve let down all those people who put their faith in them to deliver a fairer Britain.

Government showing no faith in young people

Depressingly the real losers from the budget will be children and young people; the sad fact is many of them have already lost, witness the swathes of school children now denied free school meals. As well as this the Future Jobs Fund, created with the aim of getting 150,000 young people into work, has been ditched along with child trust funds. For those of us who supported a government intent on eradicating child poverty this budget is depressing reading. The Chancellor has shown that this Government will wield the axe and hope for the best without regard for the future of our young people.

The campaign to increase Labour support in the South East was always going to be an uphill battle as the Tory-party money machine, backed up by vast sums from Lord Ashcroft, flooded swathes of the South East with posters, leaflets and activists in order to win what they consider to be their seats by right.

I and my team were active across the region and got a warm reception in all the Labour-held constituencies we visited. A constant theme throughout the campaign was the energy and commitment displayed by Labour representatives and activists from across the South East: their drive and determination to get out the vote on behalf of ensuring a fairer Britain was a constant source of inspiration for me.

Although there were numerous disappointments on election night, no-one could accuse former MPs like Michael Foster, Jonathan Shaw and Paul Clark of not defending their slim majorities. Their loss from Parliament will surely be felt.

There were a number of Labour MPs who were returned successfully. When I went on the campaign trail in Slough with Fiona MacTaggart (pictured, second from left) it was clear that the community was well-behind their local Labour candidate, her re-election is testament to the hard work she and her staff have put in during her time as MP.

I was also privileged to be able to help out Andrew Smith in Oxford East who was returned as MP for the area.

Credit must also go to John Denham and Alan Whitehead and their election teams for all their hard work in ensuring that Southampton has two Labour MPs! There are those who think the South East is a Tory zone; thanks to the work of numerous committed Labour activists and representatives that is not the case!

My commiserations to all those hard-working Labour MPs who unfortunately lost their seats. With the election of a new leader in September the Labour Party in the South East will begin the re-building process that I am sure will result in much less blue and much more red come the time of the next election.

Labour’s campaign for the General Election is in full swing across the South-East. Labour’s pledges are to :

• Secure the recovery
• Raise family living standards
• Build a high tech economy
• Protect frontline services
• Strengthen fairness in communities

So far I have been pleased to join members on the campaign trail:

* in Reading West where Naz Sarkar is standing (photo top left), Anneliese Dodds PPC for Reading East (photo top right)and Matt Rodda PPC for East Surrey (photo bottom left) were also there

* in Gillingham and Rainham where Paul Clark is seeking re-election

* in Chatham and Aylesford where Jonathan Shaw is seeking re-election

* and in Portsmouth North where Sarah Buckley-Ryan is seeking re-election

This is a crucial election - the Tories isolationist and backwards approach to Europe alone underlines the importance of the choice at stake.

I am looking forward to joining the campaign trail in a constituency near you.