My advice to the top team of Keir Starmer: prioritize children, quality jobs, and the NHS in your upcoming Budget presentation.
When Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveils the second Labour budget, it is expected that some taxes will be increased. In an ideal scenario, additional tax hikes would not be necessary, but the reality is far from perfect.
To stabilize public finances, lower mortgage rates, stimulate economic growth, and overhaul the NHS, tough decisions on tax adjustments are inevitable. The harsh reality is that years of Tory austerity, mishandled Brexit, and Liz Truss’s reckless behavior have severely impacted the economy, leaving working families in a worse financial state.
Labour ministers have no choice but to address the aftermath of Tory policies. However, the public is eager to hear a compelling narrative about the future of the country with prompt and bold actions from Labour officials. The patience of the people is wearing thin.
Citizens desire more affordable living conditions, quicker access to healthcare, well-paying jobs, assistance for the unemployed youth to secure employment or training, and a bright future for their children. Only a Labour government can bring about these necessary changes.
The Conservatives plan to slash public services like the NHS by £46 billion, while Nigel Farage advocates for charging individuals for medical treatment. The key to fostering prosperity, creating quality jobs, and improving living standards lies in investment, sound fiscal management, and modernized public services. Investing in our children, our most valuable asset, is crucial for securing the future of our nation.
Labour must address the concerning statistic of 4.5 million children living in poverty, as this represents real struggles faced by families across all communities and signifies missed opportunities and wasted potential for the country.
The implementation of Labour’s free breakfast clubs is vital and will have a significant positive impact. Moreover, Labour should consider going further, such as eliminating the two-child benefit limit, a harmful Tory policy that plunges children into poverty. By abolishing this limit, Rachel Reeves can lift children out of poverty and send a strong signal that Labour is supporting working families facing rising living costs.
For Labour, it is a matter of moral duty or nothing. Ensuring every child has equal opportunities in life must be a central aspect of Labour’s vision.
Having served as the shadow Health Secretary during the pandemic, I have closely examined the findings of the Covid Inquiry. The report confirms what was already known – the delayed actions and missteps of Boris Johnson in response to the pandemic, including insufficient sick pay for workers, premature school closures, and the failure to protect care homes.
It is imperative for Labour to address the social care crisis promptly and not postpone finding a solution. The elderly and vulnerable individuals who have contributed significantly to the country deserve dignified and secure care in their old age.
In Sudan, a brutal war has ravaged the nation for over two years, leading to genocidal atrocities, ethnic cleansing, violence, and famine. It is disheartening to witness the lack of attention given to this humanitarian crisis.
As an MP, I have advocated for humanitarian intervention in Sudan and support Labour’s efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire internationally. The global community must not turn a blind eye to these atrocities.
While Christmas tunes fill my home, the question of which song will top the charts on Christmas Day remains unanswered. Wham’s “Last Christmas” has been a favorite for the past two years and could potentially secure the number one spot again this year.