AS the general election draws ever nearer, so does the deadline for candidates to declare their intention to stand for parliament.

The latest to pin his colours to the mast is Shaun Stammers, who will be standing as Labour candidate for the Forest of Dean.

Shaun said: “As a teacher I have seen the devastating impact of Tory cuts in education. The Tory government is channeling money into grammar schools and free-schools, while starving our schools of the capital and revenue funding they need for the pupils they teach. We need to invest in our education system to prepare young people for adulthood in a changing and increasingly technological world.

“I am passionate about our NHS. It is in crisis. Underfunding has led to longer waits at all levels across Gloucestershire and the Forest – for GP appointments, in A&E, for operations and for discharge. I will fight to preserve its public status and secure the funding it so desperately needs.

“I say no to fracking and I will be supporting the search for green solutions and energy efficiency.

“If elected I promise to fight to raise the standard of living across the diverse communities of the Forest. My test will be are working families better off?’ Under the Tories they have been made worse off by £1,400 per year so far and with no end in sight to austerity and the looming challenge of Brexit, this looks set to continue.”

So far, Mark Harper has declared his intention to stand again for the Conservatives, while Tim Gwilliam has put himself forward for Forest First and Janet Ellard will be the Liberal Democrat candidate. The deadline for parliamentary nominations is 4pm this Thursday (May 11).