imon Thorley is the Lib Dem candidate for Darlington.
North East Bylines asked candidates for our 27 constituencies ten questions on a range of subjects. We will be publishing their answers over the next few weeks.
1. What is your plan for economic revival in the North East?
We will champion investment in human capital (education and training), via the reintroduction of maintenance grants for students and additional Pupil Premiums for younger students, as well as providing every citizen with a £5000 fund to invest in their own education throughout their adult lives. We will also boost small businesses and empower them to create new local jobs, including by abolishing business rates and replacing them with a Commercial Landowner Levy to help our high streets. Additional devolution to both NEMCA and TVCA will place key economic decision-making powers in the hands of local leaders, ensuring that regional priorities are addressed effectively.
2. How will you help to meet the UK’s Net Zero targets?
We will make homes warmer and cheaper to heat with a ten-year emergency upgrade programme, starting with free insulation and heat pumps for those on low incomes, and ensure that all new homes are zero-carbon. We will also invest in renewable power so that 90% of the UK’s energy is generated from renewables by 2030, while also investing in nuclear power as an essential additional source of clean energy. Furthermore, we will restore the UK’s role as a global leader on climate change, by returning international development spending to 0.7% of national income, with tackling climate change a key priority for development spending.
3. How will you work to end chid poverty in the North East?
Child poverty in the North East, especially the Tees Valley, is at scandalously high levels. As reported in the North East Child Poverty Commission report, the two-child cap on child benefit payments is a major contributor to child poverty in the region. We will remove the two-child limit and the benefit cap. We will also set a target of ending deep poverty within a decade, and establish an independent commission to recommend further annual increases in Universal Credit to ensure that support covers life’s essentials, such as food and bills.
4. What is your view of the war on Gaza and how would you resolve it?
The war in Gaza is a human tragedy, and we have called on both sides to agree to a comprehensive ceasefire since the early days of the conflict. It is essential that human rights are prioritised, respected and protected by all. A true resolution of the conflict requires long-term mediation and conciliation, with a viable Palestinian state being established alongside a secure Israel, and a rejection of violence by all parties. We recognise that this is not achievable in the short term, which is why our focus should be on bringing the current assault on Gaza to an immediate end, releasing the Israeli hostages and ensuring that all necessary aid is able to reach the Palestinian people.
5. How can the curriculum be widened to make it more useful and inclusive for our pupils?
We believe that this is a question best left to the education experts – teachers themselves. We will urgently establish a standing commission to build a long-term consensus across parties and teachers to broaden the curriculum and make qualifications at 16 and 18 fit for the 21st century. This will draw on best practice such as the International Baccalaureate and ensure children learn core skills such as critical thinking, verbal reasoning and creativity.
6. How do you propose to protect our waterways from contamination with sewage?
We will end the sewage scandal by transforming water companies into public benefit companies, banning bonuses for water bosses until discharges and leaks end, and replacing Ofwat with a tough new regulator with new powers to prevent sewage dumps.
7. What do you see are the main benefits of Brexit?
There are no practical benefits of Brexit – only considerable downsides. The Conservatives have damaged our economy and given away our freedoms in pursuit of false promises. We will work to repair our damaged relationship with the rest of Europe, and work towards undoing the worst harms of Brexit by rejoining the Single Market and Customs Union in due course.
8. What will you do to fight for fair pay for all NHS staff?
We will establish a properly independent pay review body and retain more staff across the NHS through a specific ten-year retention plan. In addition, we will end the false economy of spending money on agency workers and encourage the use of flexible staff banks.
9. Which historical figure would you go to for advice?
I fancy Thomas Cromwell would have some good pointers for an aspiring politician in 2024 (and luckily the risk of having my head chopped off by the King is pretty much zero these days!)
10. How would you ensure that you represent all constituents, including the ones who didn’t vote for you?
The most important part of an MP’s job is to be a voice for their constituents, speaking up for them whenever required and dealing effectively with whatever local issues arise. I am a passionate believer in representative democracy, and believe that MPs should place constituency matters ahead of party politics whenever there is a conflict between the two.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO OUR CROWDFUNDER
HELP US BECOME STRONGER SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO DELIVER POWERFUL CITIZEN JOURNALISM!
