Barry Kaye, press officer Newton Abbot Labour Party, writes:

Clear blue water between the parties today in Parliament, could not have been clearer, as the Chancellor set out his budget, the last before the forthcoming General Election, the last of this government. On the government side, Edinburgh lawyer, Chancellor Alistair Darling set out his budget in a quiet but authoritative way, clear and concise. And whether or no as an individual one accepts it, is a matter for one's own conscience, which will undoubtedly be expressed at the ballot box very shortly.

Compare that to the Opposition side, Tory bully boy, Leader of the Conservatives, David Cameron ranted and raved at the government like a demented Pinocchio. Every time he opened his mouth, I expected his nose to grow ever longer. He had a lot to say of course, no doubt very appealing to some. Cuts in public spending are on their way, the Labour Party and the Conservatives have made that very clear, so we are all in no doubt.

The essential difference between the parties is however distinct. The Tories, on gaining office, have promised that they will immediately cut, and will head for the soft targets that will affect all levels of society. Free television licences for the older pensioner, a massive cut in the winter fuel allowance, free eye tests, and a frozen pension will be first in line. These measures will be followed shortly by funding being withdrawn from the 'Sure Start' programme, a programme that has lifted thousands of children and young people from poverty. A hit on Family Tax Credits is on the cards too; these measures will in the short term produce the finance that the Tories have promised to fund tax cuts for the better off, and a significant cut in death duties for the wealthier.

Particularly to the likes of Lord Ashcroft, funder extraordinaire to the Tory Party and deputy chairman, of whom we are still in the dark as to his 'non dom' status within Great Britain. Local Tory parties deny receiving funding directly from Lord Ashcroft, but I believe receive it nonetheless via Tory Central Office. Contrast that to Labour, who will introduce cuts. They are inevitable, but at a pace that will not damage the economy, and at a pace the electorate can afford. Instead of soft Tory targets, the cuts by Labour will be funded by wastage in public spending, taxing bankers' bonuses, and a 50 per cent tax rate for those earning over £50,000 per annum, affecting very few of those in the 'soft target' categories.

The choice is before the electorate, vote Tory for instant cuts, or vote Labour for a sure and certain 'steady as she goes' economy. Voting either Tory or Lib Dem in Teignbridge will help to vote in a Tory government, or vote Patrick Canavan, Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, standing in the Newton Abbot Constituency elections, and help return a Labour government, the choice is yours!