Open Letter from Andy Kelly

There's no doubt that the Liberal Democrats in Rochdale have taken a battering since 2010, as they have nationally. But, as the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Rochdale, I still believe joining and influencing the coalition was right and only thing to do for the good of the country. I am proud that Nick Clegg and the other senior Lib Dems stepped up to the mark, knowing that we would be vilified and criticised despite having only 57 members of parliament.

Can you imagine what would have happened if we didn't? An unstable minority government in the economic mess inherited through 13 years of basic financial mismanagement.

Since 2010, Liberal Democrats have worked in government to rescue and repair Britain's shattered economy. Growth is up. Jobs are up. Government borrowing is down. And although we didn't win a majority in government, the Liberal Democrat in Government have

• Rebuilt the economy
• Freed millions, particularly the lower paid, from paying income tax
• Given free school meals for under-7s
• Established the Pupil Premium to help poor children get a first-class education.
• Implemented a huge programme of 1.8 million apprenticeships
• Provided a record amount of renewable energy
• Delivered more childcare and shared parental leave.
• Cancelled ID cards
• Presided over the biggest ever cash increase in the state pension
• Allowed equal marriage

This is a record of which we can be truly proud and it is fully in tune of our desire to create a stronger economy and a fairer society.

As a Rochdalian through and through, I want to stand up for the towns and villages in the borough. It's time we stopped talking them down. Rochdale has a long a proud tradition of hard work, pride and tolerance, and we need to build on these attributes by providing the best possible opportunities for young people, jobs and employment within the borough and reasons for people to come and live, work and socialise in Rochdale. We have a fantastic potential to develop the town centre and its outlying areas.

I have been heavily involved in the local arts, heritage and theatre scene for many years and I see the tremendous work that goes on by thousands of people across our area. What we lack is any sort of central strategy and it will be one of my priorities that we get one.

Now that the economy has been repaired and we have pulled back from the brink it is important that everybody feels the benefit. This is what we have tried to do in government - and those that disagree with the tough decisions we have had to make should think to themselves if they really would have wanted to see a majority Conservative government. That wouldn't have been good for the country and it certainly wouldn't have been right for Rochdale.