I don't think I am envious (bit.ly/2XWXT3j) of anybody else's life, I like the life I have, thank you.

I am a member of the labour party because I believe in a society where "by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we can alone, so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect."

I do believe that some things are better under state control, like the NHS, education, transport, utilities and the justice system.

This is about having a system which is fair and perceived as fair, about not living in a divided, broken society.

I don't want to ruin the rich but I would like them to pay their taxes properly, I don't want to live in a society where the strong exploit the weak, I have no problem with thrift, I think people should be paid a fair wage, and have decent working conditions, I don't believe in hate, I do believe in initiative and independence, but I can also see that we are all interdependent, I don't believe in doing things for people that they should and could do themselves.

Sometimes we all need a helping hand though.

Kate Taylor

Thornbury