Don't underestimate the Labour Party

War in Iraq and Afghanistan, Economic Recession, MPs Expenses, 13 Years in Office - just a few things that has caused a number of people to lose faith in the Labour Party, and led many to believe the Labour Party will lose the next election to the Conservatives, leaving David Cameron riding his bike to No. 10 like a knight in shining armour.

But not so fast - Recently polls have suggested that the gap between the Conservatives and Labour has been closing. David Cameron's airbrushed ad campaign has backfired spectacularly. There has been controversy regarding Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, Lord Ashcroft's tax status.

While the Conservative Party generally have more funds to fight elections, the Labour Party have always succeeded in getting people together to campaign on the doorstep. On Saturday, I went on my first canvass in Ipswich with local councillors and activists and despite the weather, turnout was better than expected. Initially I was seeing at how the experienced campaigners were doing it, and soon I managed to canvass my first voter, and a Labour supporter to boot. As I was going around, I realised why Labour still had a chance in the election, there were still many Labour voters, and although we lost a couple here and there, it was still uplifiting to see so many people supporting the party. Those who were unsure, we were able to say to them that while there were obviously failures, there were still many successes during our 13 year term as the majority party - Sure Start, Free Bus Pass, Child Benefit, investment in the NHS, and others. Even those who did not support us acknowledged our successes, and some said that although we were the better party "Some people just want change".

Nevertheless, it was still good to see that no matter what happens, this Labour government has managed to make things better for a number of people. While change is clearly needed, we can learn from our failures, and build on our successes, and change for the better. On the other hand, David Cameron's Tory party have few policies, and most of the ones they do have lead the country in the wrong direction. Tory change may be change, but it will be change for the worse, change to cut taxes for the rich and the way they will pay for this is to cut funding for social services. Is this the change we want? I believe that all of us who believes in a fairer and more equal society should send this simple message to David Cameron - "Thanks, but no thanks."