Dear john,
Campaign Diary
So the election campaign continues. It has been great to have gotten round every ward and spoken with local residents – something I always do even when there is no election anyway! The conversations in the coffee shops and supermarkets is lively, and it is good to see people are engaged, and thinking about the future as well as the past.
I understand the frustrations some have – but I am increasingly hearing ‘you’re a good MP, and you deserve to be re-elected’. And there is certainly no love lost for Sir Keith Starmer – seen as someone without backbone who bends with the wind.
But over and above general impressions, what have we learnt so far?
- The Conservative policy on National Service has certainly become a talking point. For many years now, we have had National Citizens Service where 18 year olds have volunteered for work in areas such as the NHS, environmental projects, community work and so on. This idea builds on what we know works.
- We now see a younger generation whose prospects have been damaged by Covid, are less prepared as a consequence for the world of work, and who are far more disproportionately likely to be on out-of-work benefits due to poor mental health. We know also from covid the vast volunteer army which arose and the difference it made. I think the two combined are a powerful combination and force for good.
- At the same time, facing a genuine threat from Russia, some may wish to opt for military service – this isn’t about battlefields, but assisting with civil defence, disaster relief (flooding for example) or even manning planes bringing home holidaymakers when something goes wrong (which I saw as aviation Minister).
As pensions minister, I am pleased as a party we have come up with a solution to the problem that was bugging me which was that with another year of the triple lock, those reliant solely on the state pension would have ended up paying income tax. This does nothing for pensioner poverty, with the state giving with one hand, taking with the other. It also proves that when the party asks for manifesto ideas, I am sometimes listened to!
The UK has faced unprecedented challenges caused by Covid and Ukraine. This has made life more difficult for the British people, there is no point denying it, and we know that the vast sums spent on protecting livelihoods and living standards has to be paid back somehow.
By sticking with the plan, Rishi Sunak is making progress. The ship is steadier than it was before: Inflation down from 11.1 per cent to 2.3 per cent and returned to its normal level, the lowest since2021. The Rwanda Act has passed,and we are getting the planes ready. Economy growing, up 0.6 per cent and we have the joint fastest growth in the G7 in this quarter. That is why we have been able to cut NICs, the double tax on work, from 12 per cent to 8 per cent, saving the average worker £900 a year. By sticking to the plan we can go further, phasing out the unfair double tax on work altogether.
But the future is far from secure. War has returned to Europe. China is aggressively attempting to expand their influence. Iran and their affiliates are sowing unrest across the Middle East. In an uncertain world, we see an Opposition with too many convictions and too little courage, diminishing our role in the world.
And yes, since there is an election on, a bit of commentary on Labour too. I was really surprised over the weekend that the Labour answer on accommodating asylum seekers in hotels is to just grant leave to remain. I’ve been pushing for the Metropole to be decommissioned as a hostel for some time now – but this is certainly not the way to go about it.
Labour’s confirmation of its plans for rail will inevitably need to money being diverted from new lines to compensating rail companies. This will mean schemes such as Fleetwood-Poulton will disappear just as the last building blocks were falling into place. For all their talk of standing up for towns like Fleetwood, they never put their money where their mouth is. Marching round shouting through a loudhailer is not how you bring about change in that town.
Whilst I have never really agreed with any of Diane Abbott’s politics, I respect the contribution she has made to public life over so many years as a pioneering trailblazer. Which is why I simply couldn’t understand Starmer’s dithering over whether she should even be a candidate – it does make me wonder who he listens to, or who pulls his strings.
In summary …
I believe the choice people need to make is whether they want a government that has a plan that is slowly working in most but not all elements, or an opposition whose plan seems to consist in saying nothing at all in the hope they get elected without anyone noticing. It would not take long for Labour MPs to start to demand policies far to the left of where we are now – and which represents Sir Keir’s own instincts. It also continues to stick in my craw he is the only individual with his only parliamentary act to enhance his own pension: The Pensions Increase (Pension Scheme for Keir Starmer QC) Regulations 2013!
Yours sincerely,
Paul Maynard
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Blackpool North & Fleetwood
PS If you want me to continue as your MP, then lend a hand – stuffing leaflets, or delivering a few envelopes – just reply to this email and we will get in touch or click on the button below.
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