Today is polling Day and here in Loughborough there is a straight fight between Labour and the Tories.

You are electing the person you want to represent the constituecy in Parliament - a Parliament that looks like it will be hung if the polls are right.

It is a clear chocie - a hard working local MP who is highly regarded even by his opponents. The Tory candidate describes him as a good MP as does the Lib Dem candidate - so why change? Why risk losing a good local MP willing to speak up and represent us in Westminster?

That is the choice today. A proven track record of hard work and integrity v a Tory Solicitor fromLondon who only came to Loughborough after fighting other seats because she only wants to be an MP & nothing else. Loughborough is being used as her ticket to Westminster. It won't be her main place to live she will continue to 'visit' our constituency. Don't let it happen. It is in your hands today.

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The Richard Engelgardt Trust received cheques for around £9000 at the Birstall RFC President Day on Bank Holiday Sunday.

The annual Birstall Charity game was held in aid of Birstall player Richard Engelgardt - who suffered a spinal injury at the start of the 2009/10 season. A Trust has been set up to help Richard.

Andy Reed President of Birstall Rugby Club said "It is important that we look after Richard and his needs, not just for one or two years but for the rest of his life. That is what the rugby community is like - we rally round. I have ben proud of the reponse of everybody at the club, across the County and in fact all over the country"

The fundraising activities included a 'Beard-off', a Lions fundraising evening with Hatt Hampson, Ventnor RFC donation and the Parliamentary Team making a donation.

More activities are planned throughout the year. A website and news will be launched soon.

Andy Reed will lead out his President XV rugby side at Birstall again this year on Sunday. This year the funds raised from the charity game will go to the injured player Richard Engelgardt's Trust.

Andy said "This is a long standing commitment. There is no way I could let down Rich and the fund raising we need to do. I am now a Trustee of the Fund we have set up to look after Richard. I am proud to be here and involved.

"As President of the club I am proud of the way this club and the wider rugby community have helped raise funds to look after Richard and his needs after the accident. "

"Last year we won again with the help of two Tuilagi brothers! This year I have kept it so that we have a closer game!! But I am still expecting my team to play some attractive rugby. We will certainly be throwing it around on Sunday."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Olympic Minister Tessa Jowell visited Loughborough University with Labour candidate Andy Reed today.

The Prime Minister met Olympic hopefuls and toured the facilities at the University - which will be home to Team GB in the lead up to the 2012 games.

Andy Said "We have made investment in our sport infrastructure over the last decade - as Gordon saw today. We have also invested in our elite athletes and the infrastructure that surrounds them - with Loughborough benefiting of course. The news that Team GB will be based here confirms our status as THE leading sports University in the UK and worldwide!

"But what we also wanted to show Gordon was the work the University is doing in health and physical activity as well.

"We didn't come 4th in the medal table in Bejing by accident. It was down to the hard work of athletes and coaches backed up by a system of total support. "

Andy Reed was at STEPS in Shepshed yesterday to meet with parents and users of the centre. Andy Reed is a Trustee of the Shepshed based charity.

Steps is a registered charity which provides specialist nursery services and support to children with motor disorders and their families, enabling them to lead fuller, more active lives. They provide a unique service that depends upon the financial support of our funders, sponsors and donors.

"I have been happy to be associated with STEPS for a number of years and they do go from strength to strength. But their work does rely so heavily on support from the local community and fundraising. I am therefore, always happy to raise the profile of the excellent work they are doing.

"It was also useful to talk to parents about what more can be done to create social opportunities as well as the more formal classes!"

http://www.stepscentre.org.uk/

Candidates for the Loughborough constituency were on Radio Leiecster Quesiton time today - after recording in Loughborough Town Hall last night.

Questions from floating voters included AstraZeneca, The Tory County Council disasterous handing of the schools rebuilding programme, health service targets, freedom of speech and connecintg with first time voters. Ben Jackson also asked about Mrs Duffy and if we felt it was important to be a genuinely local representative.

You can listen to the answers on BBC iPlayer: Tony Wadsworth Programme Thursday 29th April 2010!

To listen 'as live' follow the link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/leicester/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8631000/8631718.stm

The former Lib Dem general election candidate for Loughborough Graeme Smith is backing Andy Reed this time round.

Graeme Smith, who stood for the Lib Dems in 2005, is urging people to back Andy on May 6th. Graeme is writing to thousands of people across the constituency and appearing in a YouTube video to explain why he is personally now backing Andy Reed as the local choice.

Graeme said "During the last election I started to realise that I agreed more and more with the things Andy was saying and the values he holds. He has ben a brilliant local MP - and I mean local! He gets involved in all levels of the community - he is so open and approachable.

I would urge all those of you who voted for me in 2005 or who are thinking about voting Lib Dem this time to consider casting your vote for Andy Reed on May 6th. I know him – he stands for liberal values in the same way that I did and do. He knows Loughborough, and will continue to work hard for you. I am not alone. Many people considering voting for the Liberal Democrats realise Andy is too good to lose as our MP and will be joining me in voting for him.

Nick Clegg is finally confirming what we have long suspected. The Lib Dem leadership will support David Cameron’s Tories in a hung parliament. His comments in newspaper articles show that he is clearly signalling he wants a deal with the Tory leader.

Under the leadership of Nick Clegg it has been obvious for some time that he wanted to do a deal with Cameron and the Tories.

Former Lib Dem candidate in 2005 for Loughborough Graeme Smith said

“ A vote for the lib Dems in Loughborough now almost guarantees a Tory government and Cameron in Downing Street. I know there will be many Lib Dem members and supporters horrified at that prospect. It is clear now that here in Loughborough there is only one progressive choice – Andy Reed.

Andy Reed took part in a charity football game in Quorn yesterday afternoon in aid of injured rugby players Matt Hampson and Richard Engelgardt. Andy lined up for the Quorn Royals against the Leicester Legends side.

Andy Reed is President of Birstall Rugby Club and a Trustee of the Trust Fund set up to help injured Birstall player Richard Engelgardt.

He said “I want to thank all of the players for taking time out to take part in this charity game. They are all very busy and could easily have been doing something else on a Sunday afternoon. But for people like Martin Johnson , Austin Healey and Freddie Tuilagi from the rugby world and Muzzy Izzet, Matt Elliott, Gerry Taggart Scott Oakes and many others to give their time was wonderful. I enjoyed putting on my boots in the middle of a busy election day for these lads.

It was a 2-2 all draw at the Quorn Ground – an improvement after the Quorn Royals had lost 10-2 the previous year.