VOTED FOR EMPTY SLOGAN

ON Monday, January

11th, on BBC “Politics Live”, Rossendale & Darwen’s MP, Jake Berry, was asked about his Government’s plans for levelling up neglected regions such as the North of England. This Tory Government were elected on a pledge to level up those areas of the North and the Midlands which have been left behind.

Mr Berry’s response was quite surprising. Instead of outlining plans for investment in our Northern towns and cities, and plans for lifting people out of poverty and reducing the need for foodbanks, he simply said: “Levelling up can mean all things to all people, which is why it’s such a good political slogan.”

I’m astonished that Rossendale and Darwen’s MP would admit on live television that there is actually no substance behind his Government’s levelling up promises, although I have to admire his honesty. It would appear people have voted for an empty political slogan which can mean whatever they want it to mean. There seems to be no commitment from this Government to improve the lives of millions of people in the North and Mr Berry’s words have just confirmed that.

People in the North deserve better from our elected representatives.

I hope that at the next election, as we recover from the decimation of COVID, which has laid bare the inequalities in our society, that people are prepared to look for the substance behind the slogans before they cast their vote.

Liz McInnes

Former Labour MP, Heywood & Middleton