Emma Lewell MP: Resetting governance so it is the people of our country the state works for
Parliament returned from summer recess this week. We also have a new Prime Minister, who has promised a break from the politics of old and who is determined to do things differently – resetting our governance so that, at long last, it is the people of our country that the state works for.
Governments should always be sharply focused on improving the lives of the people in this country. Since 2024, after 14 years of decline and austerity, the Labour Government has made steps in that direction.
In just two years we have delivered two million extra NHS appointments, cut waiting lists, cut small boat arrivals to their lowest number since 2021, introduced stronger workers rights, expanded free school meals and school breakfast clubs and nationalised our railways. But we can, should and will do so much more. People are fed up with struggling, just to get by, and with feeling ‘ripped off’.
Our new Prime Minister has rightfully made tackling the cost of living crisis a key priority. Over the summer, he also made a series of welcome announcements on ending rough sleeping, cutting VAT on electricity bills, a £2 cap on bus fares in England, free bus travel for disabled people, a 20% Business Rate cut for pubs, clubs and live music venues, a crackdown on fly tipping and tackling the water industry.
At a time when public finances are so stretched and people need to see more money in their pockets, when people want less political interference in their lives and fewer layers of bureaucracy, there should be caution regarding any plans for further devolution. Funding more politicians in the form of mayors, with the cost of more expensive offices and associated staff is money that could instead be given to local councils to spend directly on their communities and the core services that many of them are desperately struggling to deliver.
I will continue, as always, to do all I can – to keep pushing for what is right for South Shields and to support the Prime Minister’s aim to make sure this country starts to properly work for all of us.