A parliamentary hopeful has vowed to help crack down on antisocial behaviour and NHS waiting times.

Tom Rutland has kicked off his campaign to become the first Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham.

In a speech to local activists, the 32-year-old set out his first steps for the area, which include cutting NHS waiting times with more appointments in the area, tackling antisocial behaviour across the constituency with more neighbourhood police and putting water companies in special measures.

He said Labour’s campaign to win East Worthing and Shoreham from the Tories will centre on Labour’s plan to deliver a “decade of national renewal following 14 years of decline under the Conservative Party”.

 “I am proud to launch my campaign to be the next Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham. I know that our community deserves better than the past 14 years of Tory decline,” said Mr Rutland, who lives in Lancing.

 “Over the next few weeks, I will be going door to door to set out my plans to change East Worthing and Shoreham: cutting NHS waiting times, cracking down on antisocial behaviour and making the water companies clean up their filth.

“I’m incredibly excited for the campaign ahead and I know that together we can change East Worthing and Shoreham.”

Read more: Longstanding Conservative MP will not stand at next general election

Mr Rutland, who currently works at Prospect union, said full-time workers are £76 worse off per week since 2010 in the area, there are 139 fewer local Police Community Support Officers and GP numbers have fallen by 27 since 2016. 

Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, said: “This is a chance to change East Worthing and Shoreham with Labour.

 “Over the course of the last four years we have changed the Labour Party and returned it once more to the service of working people.

 “All we ask now, humbly, is to do exactly the same for our country. And return Britain to the service of working people. A vote for Labour is a vote for economic and political stability, an end to Conservative chaos, and a long-term plan to rebuild Britain.”

Also standing in the constituency is David Batchelor for the Liberal Democrats. The Conservatives have not yet revealed who they will be putting forward following the announcement from incumbent MP Tim Loughton that he would not be standing for election.