Crises ignored amid Tories’ vicious feud
Following the Prime Minister’s longdrawn-out “resignation”, the vicious Conservative leadership contest is grabbing headlines while our nation struggles with multiple crises, from sky-high ambulance waiting times and the shortage of NHS dentists to the escalating cost of living crisis.
The recent record-breaking heatwave demonstrated how dramatically climate change is affecting us all.
Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss are ignoring these facts.
They helped make the decisions leading to the problems they claim they want to fix.
They backed the bungled Brexit deal causing chaos at our borders, they backed the Covid-19 response which has seen the death of 183,000 of our fellow citizens and they backed Boris Johnson as he lied and broke the law.
When Parliament returns in September, I will focus squarely on holding this Government to account no matter who lives at Number 10.
Wait times for ambulances are too often being measured in hours, not minutes. Every ambulance service in the country has declared critical incidents.
To push the Government to act, I secured a Westminster Hall debate. MPS from all parties and from constituencies across the country shared stories of constituents waiting up to 12 hours for emergency care. We discussed the factors that have led to this crisis and pressed for action.
Schools have broken up, people are eager to go on holiday yet the Passport Office is still seeing the unprecedented delays that began months ago.
The Home Office is missing its own extended deadline for passports with 35,000 people having to wait over ten weeks.
If you have a holiday coming up and are worried about getting a passport in time, please get in touch with my team as soon as possible at office@werahobhouse.co.uk or on 01225 307024 so we can try to speed up the process.
Recently I hosted a public discussion showcasing the partnership work underway in Bath to tackle violence against women and girls. Thanks to excellent joint work by B&NES Council, Avon and Somerset Police and Bath BID, our area has just won more than £300,000 of Home Office Safer Street funding.
Delivered in conjunction with Avon and Somerset Police and Bath BID, the work will focus on Bath city centre and the surrounding public spaces.
Interventions include improved lighting and CCTV provision as well as the launch of a ‘safe bus’, an initiative that will provide a safe space for vulnerable people late at night.
I have been out and about in our vibrant city, speaking with residents on the doorstep, joining an inspiring group of teens taking part in the National Citizen Service and touring the Roman Baths which are buzzing with visitors.
I hope you are able to make the most of the summer.