Back in 2015, David Cameron logged into Twitter and wrote the following: “Britain faces a simple and inescapable choice – stability and strong Government with me, or chaos with Ed Miliband”.
Fast forward 7 years later, and I don’t think a pint of milk would have aged worse. Since Cameron’s tweet, we’ve had 4 different Prime Ministers in office. Perhaps more staggeringly, we’ve had 7 different Chancellors in that time too.
The Tories have overseen the most unstable political period of the post-war era, one that has had a disastrous impact on communities across the country and here in Tameside. You only need to flick on the news to see the consequence of 12 years of Tory rule. Soaring hospital waiting lists, stagnant economic growth, mortgage rates skyrocketing, the cost-of-living reaching astronomical levels. The Tories have failed to improve the country on almost every available metric.
Now we seem to be reaching the end of the road. On Friday, Truss humiliatingly sacked her Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng. On Monday, the new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt junked her entire mini-budget (the policy she was elected on by Tory members) and left Truss a Prime Minister in name only. Her exit is pretty much guaranteed. At some point – maybe this week, maybe next month – the Tory Party will remove her from office.
And what then? Do the Tory party subject the country to another unelected PM? Do they put us through another bitter leadership contest? Do they give us another government of the familiar faces, with just the job titles switched around?
The answer to all of these questions should be a resounding no. The only way to bring about a proper reset and get this country moving again is via a General Election. I want to see a Tameside that thrives; one that is supported by central government to sort out the things that matter to working people. I’m talking about things like delivering well paid jobs, tackling NHS backlogs, providing sustainable, affordable energy and efficient public transport.
I’m tired of seemingly endless Tory psychodrama. Let’s be honest, we all are. It’s time to give the public a say. Labour stands ready and waiting to fight for working people, and to build a Britain that is not only fit for the future but leads the way to it.