Being the Member of Parliament for Stalybridge, Hyde, Longdendale, Mossley and Dukinfield has been the greatest honour of my life. I am proud of this area and ambitious for its future. I warmly welcome the fact that the Prime Minister has finally called a General Election. The country needs change, and over the past four years, Keir Starmer has changed the Labour Party to provide just that – a party back in the service of working people.
Rishi’s rain soaked announcement sadly felt like a metaphor for the Conservative government. Can’t find a brolly, can’t build a railway, can’t get NHS waiting times in check. After 14 years, 5 prime ministers and an unbelievable 7 chancellors, very few local people tell me they feel better off. Sadly, after scandals, u-turns and broken promises, the Conservatives have also left trust in politics at an all time low.
Labour will get the NHS back on its feet, switch on Great British Energy, get Britain building again, take back our streets and break down barriers to opportunity. We will work really hard to rebuild British people’s faith in the people and processes there to represent you, and restore politics to public service once more.
As your local MP I have championed the Mottram Bypass, town centre regeneration, new housing and local schools, including additional places for children with additional needs.
And as Shadow Business Secretary I’ve developed a rigorous industrial strategy to support every singly sector in our sadly stagnating economy, and I’ve worked with my colleague Angela Rayner next door to publish our New Deal for Working People. This is our detailed plan to make work pay, boost wages and make jobs fair and secure. We want to be Government of good work, driving a thriving economy that supports workers and businesses alike.
Under Labour we’ll get Britain building again – homes, infrastructure and clean energy. We’ll invest in the NHS and state education. And we’ll be tough on crime and the causes of crime. Labour can be the change the country needs because we have had the courage and humility to listen to the country and change ourselves as a party.
It is time to get our future back. 4th July is actually my wedding anniversary; it’ll be 16 years since Claire and I were married in Mottram church. The best possible anniversary gift would be a Labour government which returns hope to areas like ours. It’s time for change. Be part of it.