DAVID Cameron says ‘we’re all in this together’ but many will feel this claim is wearing a bit thin. One estimate suggests that the wealth of the richest 1,000 people has doubled to over £500 billion during his government.

At the same time living standards for the average family are only just back to pre-crash levels, with cuts to essential services hitting the poorest hardest.

The Green Party believes austerity has failed and will make bold changes to national spending priorities to reverse cuts, increase investment in public services, improve housing and protect the environment.

Trident, HS2 and support for fracking are costing this country tens of billions and are unnecessary and environmentally unsound.

We will re-distribute wealth to the poorest – the 13.5m people living below the official poverty line. We will introduce a proper living wage and ask businesses to commit to a maximum salary ratio of 10:1 between top and bottom earners.

In the long run, investment in public services and the creation of good jobs will rebalance our economy better than inflicting unnecessary cuts affecting the most vulnerable. Let’s not forget that the NHS was created back in 1948 when national debt was far higher than it is now.

I work for a trade association in the pub and brewing sector and it’s clear Herefordshire doesn’t get its fair share of central government funding, crucial to support the small businesses that are the backbone of our rural economy.

As well as investment in public transport and high-speed broadband, the Green Party would reduce the National Insurance contribution for small businesses, improve access to finance through new community banks and cut VAT to five per cent for hospitality businesses.

We cannot fix everything overnight, but we do pledge to create a fairer economy for all.