LABOUR’s new candidate for the North Swindon Parliamentary seat has set out his priorities in the run- up to the general election.

Victor Agarwal was chosen last week as the Party’s successor to Michael Wills, who is stepping down at the election after 13 years as North Swindon MP.

Mr Agarwal, who is currently a councillor in Surrey, admitted he is still learning about the issues for his target constituency.

He said: “I will be getting a full briefing on the important issues and I will be out speaking to people and finding out what their priorities are.

“I’ve already had the chance to meet some people in North Swindon when I was invited by Coun Paul Baker to Penhill.

“The number one issue was the proposed cuts to the Dial A Ride service. I want to make sure there are no cuts in services for Swindon’s most vulnerable people in the future.

“People were also concerned about jobs. Employment is a big issue for people and I want to make sure that when the economy does recover North Swindon is in the best position possible to benefit from it.”

The 36-year-old, who is a British Airways chief executive, also expressed his opinion on Swindon Council’s wi-fi scheme. He has previously supported the introduction of free wi-fi access for all his constituents in Stanwell and Stanwell Moor.

“Technology is something we have to embrace,” he said.

“What I am worried about is how the council has tried to force this through without the appropriate level of transparency.

“There should have been a competitive tendering process and discussion with residents about the decision.”

He also highlighted the controversial restructure of pay grades for Swindon Council workers as an area of concern.

Mr Agarwal said he would use his experience as the only Labour councillor on Surrey County Council to form a good working relationship with Swindon Council’s Tory-run administration.

He said: “It is important to work together for the best interests of Swindon but I will be scrutinising what the council does.

“A Labour MP will be able to do that much more effectively than an MP who is from the same Party as the ruling group.

“I will work hard to get the best deal for Swindon, as I know Michael and Anne have done. I hope the council will work with me in that goal.”

Mr Agarwal became a governor of a primary school at the age of 18, before being elected chairman of governors at 19.

He has been a councillor since 1998.