By Elsie Blundell MP
Voters, here and across the UK, have been clear: if we are to build a future that is fairer, where they are not just ‘getting by’ but thriving instead, we need to do politics differently. It is no longer acceptable to suggest that someday, in the distant future, things might improve slightly. That approach will not suffice anymore. The local election results delivered a clear message, and I will ensure we listen.
Looking across towns like Heywood, Middleton, Spotland, Bamford, and Norden, we can see the consequences of deindustrialisation, the hollowing out of local economies, and the impacts of austerity. Fourteen years of careless governance by the Conservatives have tied one arm behind our backs as we strive to enhance the lives of ordinary people. Now, geopolitics on the other side of the world have tied the other arm behind our back.
People are now paying more than they ever should have to—at the pump, in energy bills, and in supermarkets. Whether you shop at Morrisons in Heywood or Tesco in Spotland, we are paying too much. The Government is doing what it can to lower costs. Holding back the previous government’s tax rise on fuel will slow down price increases. Pausing tariffs on food as it enters the country will make food ingredients cheaper. Cutting VAT on the holiday economy will make this summer more affordable for everyone. However, the Government needs to work better for all of us every day.
I took a rush hour bus into Manchester this week for a meeting with Transport for Greater Manchester to show them first-hand how long it takes to get to work. Investment in a better bus service would save money on parking and fuel for car drivers who, at the moment, have no other choice. A better option, of course, is creating more jobs locally. We have many local success stories to build on here in Heywood and Middleton North. I have been privileged to visit so many of them, meeting the owners and staff.
Energy prices are vital to their success. More than any other single factor, cheaper energy will create jobs and opportunities nearer to where we live and mean you pay less in household bills.
