If we all had a vote in the election for the Leader of the Tory and our next Prime Minister, it would be an exceptionally challenging and almost impossible decision. Who do you choose? A woman who wants to put more money in everyone’s pocket including millions who don’t need any financial support, or one who has a more targeted approach? The latter is definitely the better choice in my view. However, there are still serious flaws in electing either contender – not least in the current cost-of-living crisis, with increasing levels of child poverty, especially in the north.
Rishi Sunak is the man who has steered badly the much-needed levelling up funds from poorer areas to rich areas. So, in short, his credentials may be just as bad as Truss. In a way, many of us are lucky we don’t have a vote. However, it’s interesting despite the many scandals, many Tory members would still prefer Johnson back over Truss or Sunak. No wonder our country is in such a serious economic predicament with the gap widening rapidly between the rich and the poor and between north and south
Child poverty in the North East
It was encouraging to see local protestors deliver a message directly to the Tories and the media at the Tory leadership hustings in Darlington. One of the placards at the event read:
“Darlington’s child poverty is 37.7% and rising”.
This was a reference to a recent report showing a terrifying number of children living in poverty in the North East. If some of the Tories saw that report, then it seems they chose to ignore it.
You can see the full report here with links to data tables etc.
Royal Tunbridge Wells
It’s important to reflect on areas in which levelling funds are desperately needed because it appears that poverty deprivation and lack of infrastructure and opportunities are not the criteria that Rishi Sunak used in deciding on how to allocate levelling up funds.
Kent deserves more funds, doesn’t it? Of course, it does as hundreds of Tory members donors and voters live there. This sounds closer to the actual criteria.
Strikes
The train strikes have been and will continue to be a great inconvenience for all of us but I see so many other groups like health workers BT staff, post office workers and many more ready to take industrial action. All of these workers are essential. All of these workers deserve a proper pay rise. And a bit of inconvenience for all of us is a small sacrifice so someone else can pay their bills and avoid having to visit a food bank.
Enough is enough: tackling the cost of living crisis
Enough is enough is a new campaign founded by Labour MPs, trade unions, and community groups. The group aims to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
Enough is enough has five key aims:
- A real pay rise
- Slash energy bills
- End food poverty
- Decent homes for all
- Tax the rich
Inflation, poverty and destitution are all on the rise and it’s not only the war in Ukraine that’s causing it. Much of it is down to appalling Conservative policies over 12 long years. Examples are the closure of the rough gas storage field off the Humber coastline, Brexit and of course the blatant discrimination in the handing out of levelling up funds. All caused by those who feel totally entitled to every possible political advantage no matter who suffers.
I have in my mind that placard sign on child poverty in Darlington but of course its replicated all over the country but perhaps less so in Tory areas like Royal Tunbridge Wells.
What can we do? We must do something.
Returning for a moment to the placard in Darlington – what will you do to end child poverty in the North East?
The Enough is Enough campaign is well worth our support.
You can join the campaign here.
