YORK Outer Labour parliamentary candidate Luke Charters-Reid says fracking and congestion are putting the city’s outer villages at risk.

I grew up in York Outer. I studied at Huntington School where I worked hard to get the grades to study at Oxford University. Now I’m back home, helping to run the local family business

I think anyone who lives in York Outer acknowledges how lucky we are to be encircled by stunning countryside. I’m appalled that the Tories are putting this countryside at risk from fracking. This is not some sensationalist claim: licences have already been granted in York Outer. I totally object to this industrialisation of our countryside – once it’s gone, it’s gone.

I feel passionately that we should move away from non-renewables, which have potentially disastrous environmental consequences. There is a risk that fracking will start later this year in York Outer. I will call for a total ban on fracking in our area. If elected, a Labour Government would issue an immediate ban on fracking.

I’m increasingly frustrated by our long-standing Tory MP. How much time have you wasted sitting in traffic on the outer ring road, or near the A64? It’s a total mess and it’s having a serious impact on York’s outer villages.

Julian Sturdy even sat on the Transport Select Committee but what’s changed? Nothing. I would fight for York’s fair share of funding so that congestion no longer chokes our local economy.

It’s also clear that our Strensall Barracks are not safe in the hands of the Tories. I will fight to protect them, as they are a core part of Strensall’s community and history, and a crucial source of jobs in the area.

Housing prices are out of control in York Outer. We urgently need a Labour Government, which will build a million good-quality affordable homes to solve our housing crisis.

There are so many challenges that that the younger generation faces which are of concern to everyone. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent or young person, you’ll understand the difficulty of trying to buy your first home or finding a skilled job in the city where you were born.

We desperately need a Parliament that represents everyone in this country; I will be the voice of all generations.

Labour came second in York Outer just two years ago with more than double the number of votes than the Lib Dems, so I urge you to both vote with your heart and your head and support me on June 8.