MARTIN has urged the people in Colchester to seize the opportunity and vote for change in the General Election – and by backing the Lib Dems it would give them a “local champion” in parliament.

In his final rallying call ahead of polling day on Thursday, the Liberal Democrat candidate said voters across the constituency are “ready for change” and his party were fighting for every vote.

Martin, 50, who has lived in Colchester since the age of four and been a local councillor since 2008 representing the Mile End ward, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Lib Dem stalwart Sir Bob Russell, who served as the city’s MP from 1997-2015.

He and his hard-working team of campaigners have been encouraged by support on the doorstep and Martin admitted it would be an “honour and privilege” to represent his home city in the House of Commons.

The Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for action to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, the under-funding of the NHS and the sewage scandal. And the party’s bold and ambitious manifesto promises a fully costed £9billion plan to tackle the alarming issues in health and care, clean up waterways and put the economy back on track.

Martin added: “Throughout this campaign I have spoken to so many people across Colchester and one thing is clear – they are ready for change.

“Local health services have been brought to their knees, people’s mortgages and rents have skyrocketed and water companies have been allowed to pump their filthy sewage into our rivers and beaches. All this by a Conservative government more interested in fighting between themselves than standing up for the country.

“Every vote for the Liberal Democrats at this election is a vote to elect a strong local champion who will fight every day for the issues that matter to people here in Colchester.”