Chris Took supports campaign to make voices of people with a learning disability heard in general election

Today, Woking Liberal Democrat's Chris Took has signed up to show his support for Mencap's Hear my voice campaign.

The newcampaign is about empowering people with a learning disability and their families to have their voices heard by their local MPs and candidates in the lead up to the May 2015 General Election.

There are 1.4 million people with a learning disability in the UK but many feel they are not listened to by those in power and the issues they that are important to them - like hate crime, better healthcare and education - are often not talked about.

Chris Took said: "People with a learning disability and their families are as much a part of our society as anyone else and deserve to have their voices heard on the issues that matter to them. I am listening and I hope that many more MPs and candidates will do the same by getting on board with Mencap's Hear my voice campaign."

Chris Took is the first candidate in Woking to confirm his support for the campaign and joins a host of other MPs and future candidates who have signed-up to say they are listening to the voices of people with a learning disability on the new Hear my voice website: www.hear-my-voice-org-uk

Through the website, people with a learning disability and their families have a space to share their experiences with their local MP and, in return, MPs and candidates can show their support by signing-up to say they are listening. Chris' entry can be found at https://www.hear-my-voice.org.uk/listening/mr-chris-took

Jan Tregelles, Mencap's chief executive, said:

"It is encouraging to see so many MPs and candidates listening to people with a learning disability and their families about the problems they face and the change they want to see in the next Parliament. They are the experts in what matters to them, so prospective candidates should be listening to what they have to say when they are out on the campaign trail."