The Times Series has asked each parliamentary candidate to list five reasons why they should become MP at the General Election on May 7.

Here Conservative candidate for Finchley and Golders Green Mike Freer explains why you should vote for him.

1. The economy - The number one issue for local people is undoubtedly the economy. Over the past year alone, unemployment in Finchley and Golders Green has fallen by more than 22 per cent. There are now more people in work than ever before with Britain growing at the fastest rate of any major economy.

2. The NHS - Due to our growing economy, there have been record levels of investment in our NHS – an NHS I and my family use. The new £28 million Finchley Memorial Hospital has been delivered, as well as 1,685 more hospital doctors, 3,641 more clinical staff and 1,500 more nurses in London alone. I will also continue to campaign for a permanent breast screening unit at Finchley Memorial Hospital and have secured agreement from NHS England to look in detail at this proposal.

3. A strong voice for the area - I live in the constituency and have been a strong voice for our area. Over the past five years I have been contacted by over 13,000 people, running one of the busiest offices of any MP. I will continue to campaign for local residents on issues that matter to them and ensure that their concerns are heard at the top of government.

4. Housing - We need more homes. We have had more than 6,200 new homes built in the borough since 2010, with many more planned. Of these, nearly 1,800 homes were for social rent or shared ownership. I will continue to work with the Government to support the delivery of new homes locally, including the regeneration of Brent Cross/Cricklewood.

5. More school places - I made a commitment to campaign for more school places. The number of pupils receiving their first choice secondary place has risen by 20 per cent since 2010 with a ten per cent increase in secondary places. Primary school places have also increased by 12 per cent since I was elected. I have been a vocal supporter of our three excellent new free schools, including the Archer Academy in East Finchley. Barnet’s population is set to increase further which is why local parents can be assured I will continue to make school places a priority.

For an overview of other candidates in Finchley and Golders Green, click here.