Stephen Morgan MP has responded to the Government’s proposals for the next parliamentary term outlined in the Kings Speech today, slamming Ministers for 13 years of decline and their failure to bring forward new ideas that provide solutions to the day-to-day challenges people in Portsmouth are facing.
The new legislative programme offered an opportunity for the Government to turn around its record and deliver promises made to the country. However, the King’s Speech failed to bring forward new legislation or policy on the Government’s legacy of stagnant growth, skyrocketing mortgages, crumbling schools and hospitals, nor the cost-of-living crisis for the next parliamentary session.
Labour has welcomed the Tory concession that the country needs a change but insisted that arguing that the solution is a fifth Tory term will not wash.
Mr Morgan said the Tories’ failure to deliver on their promises means that they’ve broken trust in politics and faith in Governments to deliver positive change.
One year ago, the Prime Minister promised to halve inflation, yet the UK is set to have the highest inflation of any G7 country this year. Mr Sunak also promised to grow the economy, yet the UK’s growth is set to be almost non-existent this year – the second lowest in the G7. Residents and small businesses in Portsmouth have been bearing the brunt of this economic crisis, with spiraling food and energy costs, soaring mortgage rates and skyrocketing interest.
The Prime Minister also promised to cut waiting lists, a commitment which would have benefitted patients in Portsmouth who are experiencing firsthand the GP and Dental desert and pressures on local hospitals. However last month they rose to a record high of 7.75 million, meaning that one in seven people in England are currently waiting for treatment.
Of the 29 bills announced in the 2022 Queens Speech, over a third have not been completed this session, with many abandoned or never even introduced. This includes the Mental Health Bill, Renters Reform Bill and Banning Conversion Therapy Bill.
Following the King’s Speech, commenting City MP Stephen Morgan said:
“Portsmouth people are rightly concerned about what the future holds. Unfortunately, they will not be comforted by the Tory solution which involves carrying on with the failures of the last 13 years.
“With no mention of action to address the cost of living crisis, improve access to GPs and dentists, tackle the crisis of shoplifting and antisocial behaviour on our city’s streets or finally end sewage pollution, the Conservatives have clearly given up on governing.
“Labour is now a government in waiting. This Tory Government has run out of road. Change is the question at the next election and the answer is Labour.”
At Labour Party conference in Liverpool Keir Starmer set out a mission for a decade of renewal focused on the interests of working people, with policies on economic growth, safer streets, cheaper homegrown British power, better opportunities and a rejuvenated NHS to get Britain its future back. You can read more about Keir’s speech here.
