Throwing money at issue will not work

Democracy depends on politicians and their parties telling the truth. We read their election manifestos, listen to the speeches made at hustings and answers to questions posed by the public and media interviewers and then make an informed choice when we vote at the ballot box.

Can we make an informed choice if politicians make statements and promises they fail to honour? The promise to resolve all health and social care problems without raising taxes was a foolish one and a hostage to fortune. Aged 74, I cannot see it being reasonable for young workers to pay more tax so that I can pass on property to my children.

In our family we take care of each other and to date no one has spent time in a care home and I’m sure that if I become infirm in old age my children will look after me. To forestall that I work hard to stay fit and healthy as I get older. The mantra of not smoking, drinking responsibly, eating sensibly and taking some exercise rings every day in my ears. The crisis in social care is complex and throwing money at it is easy but will not resolve the problem. The elderly should be supported by a full annual health check to include dietary and exercise advice and those who care for them within a family should be well paid for so doing. An approach supporting social care within the family combined with targeted preventative medicine would go a long way to solving the problem and may well save the NHS money.

Though a lifelong Tory, I doubt if I would vote Conservative under the present leadership. ‘Tax and spend’ has never been attractive to Tories and to do so under the smokescreen of Covid necessity is

just plain wrong. Having a PM who struggles with the truth, looks unkempt at best and more usually scruffy, is congenial but cannot react on his feet, whose prepared speeches are peppered with classical Greek and Latin quotes taken largely out of context and whose private life makes him a figure of fun, is hardly encouraging of loyalty. That said, with the Libdems in retreat and socialists in disarray, the only alternative may be not to vote.

Brian Seage

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