There is a new buzzword in British politics, and it is not “Binface”. The word is “hope” and it has been brought to us by the new occupant of No 10, Andy Burnham.
With the start of a new era in politics brought by a new prime minister, we are seeing a change in the political narrative.
In recent times politics has seemed focused on division and on driving people apart. We have been losing trust in each other and in the future. This needs to change.
Burnham has promised to change politics: taking power out of Westminster and putting the care of people at the heart of everything the government does. He wants us to pull together so we can build a new national sense of unity, common purpose and positivity.
This is because he really believes that together we can make this the moment Britain starts to believe again – the moment we bring back hope.
That work has begun with some early policy pronouncements that will make a real difference to people’s lives.
These are:
- Ending rough sleeping at the first opportunity.
- Cutting taxes on electricity bills, giving people more breathing space and putting money back in their pockets.
- Capping bus fares at £2 for millions of people.
- Backing thousands of pubs, clubs and music venues at the heart of our communities by cutting business rates by 20%.
- Opening No 10 North because Britain does not need more decisions made in Whitehall. It needs more power in the hands of people and places that know their communities best.
- Overhauling our social care system, giving people the support and dignity that our older people need and deserve.
- Building an education system where young people will get the skills they need, and be given the respect they deserve.
So often when I’m out and about around Lynn and talking to residents, one thing that has struck me is the impression that hope has gone from people.
They feel that no one cares about them or their community and they have no hope that things can get better. This creates dissatisfaction with the so-called establishment.
Locally, I think our council could do more to show people that they matter. This doesn’t have to be big things.
Small things can make a big difference – improving how our town centre looks, helping people dispose of their waste responsibly or giving children better play equipment in our playgrounds.
Often the best thing is just to listen to residents and learn what their priorities are then act on this.
Nationally we have a prime minister with a can-do attitude who truly wants to make a difference in every postcode in the country.
He has started as he means to go on: governing boldly, confidently and authentically as Labour. I believe that is how we make this moment the circuit breaker our country needs. I hope people can get behind him, give him a chance and then maybe, just maybe, we can all have hope for a better future.