What kind of country do we want to be?

This is a question voters will be asking themselves when a general election is finally called.

After 14 years, the Tories have a created an economy based around low wages and insecure work with stagnant productivity, chronic underinvestment and sluggish growth.

Households are struggling with rocketing supermarket prices, energy bills, rents and mortgages.

From conversations across my Weaver Vale patch, including Northwich, I know far too many people feel work doesn’t pay anymore.

A modernising Labour Government will aim to create a thriving economy from which everyone reaps their just reward. To that end, within the first 100 days our New Deal for Working People would:

● Ban zero hour contracts

● End fire and rehire

● Ensure a genuine living wage

● Guarantee basic rights from day one in a new job

● Strengthen sick pay and extend it to low paid workers

● Tackle the gender pay gap

Never again should we have a situation where a company like P&O Ferries is able to unlawfully dismiss its workers and replace them with an exploited workforce paid below the national minimum wage.

We want people to feel better off, secure and valued in the workplace and more positive about the future. Not only will that be good for themselves and their families, it will be good for business and UK plc too.

If employees are happier, healthier and more secure in the workplace, they will more productive. If they have more money to spend, it will benefit companies large and small, stimulating investment and helping to create a virtuous cycle of growth.

The Conservatives have knocked the confidence of the nation, drained the well of optimism, and tried to stop people believing change is possible.

But there is another way. As the party of working people, Labour believes everyone deserves a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. And to have enough spare at the end of the month to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Labour’s New Deal supports our core mission of returning Britain to growth by creating decent jobs and opportunities for all no matter what their background or where they live, lifting living standards in every part of the country.

With the general election on the horizon, it’s a year of choice and time for change.