General Election: Jerry Hague, the Labour candidate for Sherwood, welcomes the fact the country is going to the polls
The Labour candidate for Sherwood has welcomed the forthcoming General Election of December 12.
Mr Hague is to stand against the Conservative Government's Chief Whip, Mark Spencer, who polled 27,492 votes in the General Election of 2017, which was an increased majority.
Labour's Mike Pringle came in second of a five-horse race with 22,294.
Mr Hague said: "I am pleased that the country now has the opportunity to choose a different future based on positive policies from a Labour government that will create a fairer and more united society.
"I will continue to campaign throughout Sherwood fighting for all those who believe our NHS, schools, police and council services should be properly funded and that we need massive investment in our economy to reverse the effects of nine years of Conservative austerity and broken promises.
"I will also be pledging to support an immediate ban on fracking to protect the historic Sherwood Forest and tackle the climate crisis.
"On Brexit, Labour will be the only party offering the people the final choice on an agreed deal or remain."
Mr Hague said he understood the public were understandably fed up with the political process.
He said: "I know from the thousands of doors I have knocked on that the general public has understandably become fed up with the political process and the broken promises from leading politicians.
"However, this election is the chance for the public in Sherwood to vote for change and I will offer voters the choice to elect an MP who will put their interests first."
Mr Spencer has been approached for comment.
The other declared candidates for the seat are David Dodds for the Brexit Party and Leon Duveen for the Liberal Democrats.
Mr Hague has been in Ollerton in the Sherwood Constituency raising awareness of West Syndrome.
He spoke out for more awareness and training for medical staff of West Syndrome, also known as Infantile Spasms, a severe type of epilepsy.
The condition usually begins in the early months after birth, and can be helped by early diagnosis and medication.
Mr Hague spoke out after meeting parent Adrian Hutchings in Ollerton whose son has suffered from West Syndrome since his first months.
However, the condition was only mentioned to Adrian and his partner after 8 months.
Mr Hague said: “I have met Adrian and his son and it is very distressing to hear the symptoms the son has endured throughout his life which cause long term brain damage.
"Adrian and his partner believe that vital months of treatment were lost due to the delay in diagnosis of West Syndrome and earlier treatment could have significantly improved their son’s symptoms.
"The parents are dong a tremendous job providing 24-hour care for their son and have had to give up work to provide the care needed.”
“There are known to be around 500 diagnoses of West Syndrome a year which is similar to the number of cases of meningitis.
"However, awareness amongst the medical profession and general public of the condition of West Syndrome and the need in particular for an early EEG to confirm diagnosis does not compare with knowledge of a condition like meningitis.
"It was only when the parents took their son to A&E that a doctor said their son should have an EEG, which led to the diagnosis of West Syndrome.”
There is a charity, UKIST (The UK Infantile Spasms Trust) which offers support and advice to families — ukinfantilespasmstrust.org
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