Election – week 3. Manifestos

There have been many important elections during my time in politics, but none have ever felt like this. As we get closer to polling day people’s minds are more focused on the choices available to them, and the tone of the conversations I’ve been having on the door are changing as people begin to make their final decision about who to vote for.

But what is coming through more than anything else is a sense of anger at 14 wasted years, with a sense that things are in decline. People have seen the sewage in our rivers, the crumbling hospitals and schools, have seen their children struggling to get on the housing ladder, the ever-rising number of foodbanks.

Meanwhile, they have also seen a Tory party that has enriched its friends, trashed the economy and presided over a series of scandals that have eroded trust in politics. A former Tory advisor described it as the worst period of government in British history.

The Tory manifesto offers nothing to deal with the significant challenges facing the UK, instead offering nothing but business as usual with a sprinkling of madcap policies designed to stave off electoral oblivion. There is no indication that the Tory party has any interest in dealing with the huge challenges that face the UK such as climate change.

Yesterday Labour launched its manifesto, and the difference couldn’t be more stark. It is a full-costed manifesto, with five national missions aimed at restoring the country and reigniting a sense of hope and optimism about the future.

Labour promises to build a country where there is opportunity for everyone, irrespective of their economic background, a country that is a clean energy superpower, with new jobs and a strong economy.

It’s a manifesto that embraces the idea that Britain cannot be successful unless the government works with people and communities and that building a positive future is a common endeavour.

David Cameron spoke of the ‘big society’ but it never felt like it was something he truly believed in. For the last 14 years charities and community groups have worked tirelessly to fill the gaps left by austerity and cuts to services, with the Tories often seeing them as nuisances rather than partners.

I have been lucky enough to work with so many wonderful local charities and organisations as an MP, and I know the struggles that too many of them have faced. We cannot have the prosperous future we want without a Labour government working together with communities and charities to build this prosperity.

Labour recognises that this is a country that is proud of its diversity, but with shared values we can all build on. I hope I am re-elected so I can work as part of a Labour government to deliver on these promises and deliver the change we badly need.

As part of this, I want to hear your views about the upcoming elections, your concerns and your hopes for a new Government. Please fill in my survey here:

https://www.andyslaughter.co.uk/survey

Hustings

As always, hustings are being organised in the constituency ahead of the election.

The first is on Monday 17 June at 7pm. It will take place at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Centre, Commonwealth Avenue, White City, W12 7QR. Questions can be submitted in advance to hildamccafferty@msn.com.

The second is taking place on Sunday 23 June at the George IV pub on Chiswick High Road. It has been organised by the Chiswick Calendar, and tickets can be obtained here.

The third is on Monday 24 June and is being held at Saint Paul’s Church Grove Park. The doors will open at 7.00 pm and the hustings will begin promptly at 7.30pm. If possible, please reserve you place online so the organisers have a rough idea of how many people are attending. Questions may be submitted in advance via email to sam.hearn@intinternet.com.

These prove to be lively events especially as there are eight candidates standing in Hammersmith & Chiswick. However, this seat is a straight fight between Labour and the Tories, with smaller parties focusing their efforts elsewhere in the country.

It’s a constituency that will either elect a Labour MP or a Conservative MP, depending on how the votes fall on the day.

Charing Cross update

More news on Labour’s plans to fund the complete upgrade of Charing Cross hospital should they form a government.

Funding for rebuilding was withdrawn by the Tories last year after their promise that the much-needed renovation would form part of their ‘40 new hospitals’ programme.

Despite the funding being pulled local Tory candidate Greg Hands continued with his line that the hospital was to be rebuilt ‘floor by floor’ but with no indication as to how this was being paid for.

This lack of honesty is something local hospital campaigns have been dealing with for years, and gives you some idea of what we would look forward to should the Tories be re-elected into Government.

Local update

Yesterday I visited the foodbank at St Simon’s Church on Rockley Road. Demand for the foodbank has doubled over the last year and it provides 2500 food parcels a month to local residents, or which 800 are sadly children. They are reliant on donations but are now having to buy 80% of the food they give out. You can find out more about donating food here.

On Sunday I volunteered with Chiswick Canoe Club to help clean the part of the Thames they use as part of the 2024 Big Paddle Clean-up. This is funded by PaddleUK ‘Go Green’ members, who have provided 1000 clean up kits that are  being issued to voluntary groups across England so they can clean their local waterways. My visit really highlighted the poor state of our waterways and the need for more work on the part of government to clean up the Thames.

I held a street stall on Chiswick High Road, and it was a great opportunity to meet with local residents and learn more about the issues affecting Chiswick that I’ll be dealing with should I be re-elected.

We then spent the afternoon at Green Days on Acton Green, a highlight of the Bedford Park Festival.  As well as a wonderful weekend of arts and entertainment it raises money for local charities like the Upper Room.

Coming up

Another plug for Artists at Home, the biggest annual art event in West London. Local artists from Hammersmith and Chiswick will be exhibiting and selling their work and as always it will be an event not to be missed.

It is Eid al-Adha this weekend, the second of the major Islamic festivals alongside Eid al-Fitr. I send my good wishes to all who will be celebrating, especially in Shepherds Bush, White City, Hammersmith and Chiswick.

Finally, back to the election. There is still a lot of confusion about the changes to constituency boundaries. Parts of Hammersmith & Fulham join the Ealing Central and Acton seat. Chelsea & Fulham gains West Ken and Fulham Reach – and comes within Labour’s reach for the first time. Kensington and Westminster also look winnable for Labour, and of course I‘m standing for Hammersmith & Chiswick, while outgoing Chiswick MP Ruth Cadbury is aiming to be returned for a revised Brentford & Isleworth seat.

I am proud of both my current and prospective west London Labour neighbours and heartily recommend a vote for each of them. But none more than Ben Coleman, hoping to become MP for Chelsea & Fulham who will bring honesty and integrity to that role.