THREE weeks ago, I and my Labour Party colleagues set out on the election trail filled with the usual trepidation as to what we may face on the doorstep.

To a certain extent, we were going into the unknown in that we have not experienced an election in Blackburn with Darwen since that famous night of May 1, 1997, when we won the double - the General Election and unitary election.

Since then, the Government has made an excellent start in trying to repair the damage incurred by 18 years of Tory mis-rule and the new unitary authority of Blackburn with Darwen has succeeded in surpassing all expectations by delivering new services to the people of the borough and delivering services such as education and social services infinitely more efficiently than pre-1997.

But people tend to dwell on negative aspects and canvassers at election times usually bear the brunt of any wrath that is flying about. However, people in general are recognising the importance of changes that have been, and are being made, both nationally and locally and most of us are beginning to feel the benefit from them already.

Probably the biggest change is that the Government and Blackburn with Darwen Council are recognising the plight of the needy and are not just paying lip-service to addressing that problem, but are taking positive action.

The minimum wage is a giant step towards giving people a reasonable income and preventing exploitation by employers and, from the council's point of view, the setting-up of a Rights, Advice and Entitlement Department, which is working on an anti-poverty action plan to ensure that every citizen living in the borough receives every penny they are entitled to and which will eventually lead to the eradication of social exclusion. Another major change is that crime is being tackled head-on by our MP and Home Secretary Jack Straw, who is doing some sterling work in the Home Office in the form of introducing the Crime and Disorder Bill, which has given the police more power in arresting criminals and the courts more leeway in sentencing them.

It has also encouraged the police and local councils to work closer together. In Blackburn with Darwen we have a particularly good relationship with the police which has resulted in the setting up of a record number of Neighbourhood Watch schemes as well as local Community Safety Groups.

These partnerships have largely been responsible for the crime rate, particularly burglary, tumbling down in most areas.

COUNCILLOR JOHN MILBURN, Ewood Ward, Blackburn with Darwen Council.

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