Anticipating the outcome of the general election, the Sussex Bylines editorial team each selected a key issue close to their heart that they ask the new Prime Minister to address as a matter of urgency. The team consists of writers and editors from a range of left and progressive parties and their letters express their individual views.
The climate crisis
Dear Sir Keir,
I was dismayed when Labour slashed its £28 billion climate pledge in February, halving it to under £15 billion. This U-turn on the most pressing issue of our time sent a negative message to the electorate and our international partners and undermined Labour’s commitment to net zero.
Since then, I’ve been somewhat reassured by your renewed promise to invest in clean energy, warmer homes and nature protection, and am pleased to see this spelt out in the Labour manifesto.
However, I’m not convinced that creating Great British Energy is the way forward. It will be expensive and cumbersome to set up. Why not just re-nationalise energy industries? You will need to regulate private sector partners to prevent the kind of violations we’ve seen with water companies.
I’m also concerned about your continued commitment to nuclear power, which is unsafe, expensive and creates radioactive waste. Please reconsider.
There are now four Green MPs to help you keep climate policies at the heart of your government!
(Green Party member)
Economic renewal and green transformation
Dear Sir Keir,
Labour needs to urgently transform the investment climate and pull in tens of billions of pounds of public and private investment for a grand programme of national renewal. The scale of the task is humongous and we are already at 10 minutes to midnight. We have an ageing population and, with it, higher healthcare costs. We have to rapidly decarbonise and find a way through the growing likelihood of international conflict. We have to end our self-imposed exile from our nearest free-trade zone and the ongoing costs that has incurred.
We need a 10-year time horizon, at least, and then we need to set the conditions that will produce high value green jobs and a fundamental green transformation. We need to start this on day one of the new government.
I’m sure Ed Miliband and his team know all this only too well. The issue is whether they can muster the courage and the support to get on with it.
(Green tactical voter)
UK and EU relations
Dear Sir Keir,
You know we will be better off back in the EU. Break with the tradition of the Tories who divided us, lied to us and took us for fools. Communicate with us honestly about our future relationship with Europe. We now fully understand what being in the EU gave us, because we have experienced negative consequences on so many levels since leaving. A clear majority want the UK back in the EU.
You’ve said you want to renew ties with Europe and have discussed piecemeal arrangements to ease trade, yet you reject rejoining the customs union and single market. Why?
Explain your rejection of, and reconsider, the EU offer of free movement for young people and also their inclusion in the Erasmus student exchange scheme.
The rise of the right in recent European elections is ominous. Our moderating political influence will be greater round the table than outside the room.
Talk to us Keir. We’ve put you in number 10 despite deep reservations about your refusal to acknowledge the act of self-harm the previous Government committed on the British people. You owe us.
(Labour Party member)
Housing and homelessness
Dear Sir Keir,
It was so good to hear that you make every effort to spend Friday night with your family and it resonated with so many of us who, despite busy lives, love to chill out with our kids at the weekend, to eat pizza, watch a film together or just chat over dinner.
But I know that this is not so for so many families who are enduring the hardship of temporary accommodation. Over 140,000 children are technically homeless, living with their families often in one room, sharing beds with no private cooking or washing facilities.
This is the result of a lack of low cost decent accommodation either for rent or to buy (and not because they live chaotic lives or are in rent arrears). Many of these people have suffered from Section 21 no fault evictions. It is a housing catastrophe which should be unthinkable in one of the world’s richest economies. Every family should be able to enjoy the simple pleasure of relaxing together in a home of their own.
I urge you and your government to make housing your priority now you are in power.
Letters Editor
Inequality and poverty
Dear Sir Keir,
The Tory years have rewarded the already wealthy and created appalling poverty. Inequality is socially divisive and mentally corrosive. It removes hope, impacts on physical health and fosters increasing disengagement with politics.
‘Austerity’ has stolen billions from people who rely on welfare benefits. Housing and labour markets are dysfunctional, public services crumbling. The resulting poverty and inequality is a serious brake on economic growth.
A commitment to end poverty would involve:
- Ending the two-child benefit cap
- Increasing Universal Credit, Local Housing Allowance and the minimum wage
- Eliminating the need for food banks
- Re-opening Sure Start Centres and youth clubs
- Abolishing the right to buy and building social housing on a scale not seen since the post-war years
Many of these changes could be fast acting in terms of economic participation and improved health and educational outcomes. Perhaps they would also give people real hope that a Labour government will make a difference to their lives.
(Have supported Labour and Greens. Would like to see progressive parties collaborating to change our voting system).
Ukraine and European security
Dear Sir Keir,
The first major event that you are due to host after becoming Prime Minister is the meeting of the European Political Community on 18 July, at Blenheim Palace.
Over 50 leaders from across the region will come together to discuss the most pressing issues currently facing Europe – of which the Russian invasion of Ukraine must be the most urgent.
Given the current political turbulence in a number of European countries, the growth of populist right-wing parties across the continent, and the prospect of a Trump presidency in November, you have a unique opportunity to provide a different vision for the future of Europe. The Ukrainians are fighting on behalf of all Europeans who value freedom and abhor bullies, and you have a platform to demonstrate your whole-hearted commitment to their cause. A Russian victory would be disastrous for the future security of Europe. The Ming vase approach has no place in dealing with Putin.
Co-ordinating Editor
(Green, LibDem tactical voter)
Brexit – the elephant in the room
Dear Sir Keir,
You said recently: “Reopening the Brexit debate would bring ‘turmoil’.” Call me old-fashioned, but are you honestly not aware that we are currently well and truly in turmoil? Whilst you may argue it started before Brexit, the simple fact is that this turmoil ain’t going away any time soon, not while Brexit continues to erode and destroy everything in its catastrophic, idiotic, pointless path.
I understand that reversing Brexit is not straightforward, but economists have warned that your growth plan is ‘doomed’ without access to EU markets. You know that. The majority of the country knows that. You can’t just try to ‘improve’ UK’s post-Brexit trade deal with the EU, you must have the courage to confront the elephant in the room.
You must.
Production Editor (and team lynchpin)
Pollution and the environment
Dear Sir Keir,
I welcome your commitment to stop sewage destroying the environment and to put failing water companies under tough special measures to force them to clean up their mess and protect people’s health.
I’d like to see you work with and reward Feargal Sharkey, who has been a tireless campaigner on this issue.
I’d also like you to extend and facilitate the Good Law Project’s work in bringing a successful landmark judgement at the Supreme Court, removing the block on lawsuits over pollution, by fast-tracking others’ ability to bring cases against the water companies.
Finally, I’d like to see at least water brought back under public control – there is no excuse for putting profit before basic public services.
(Liberal Democrat voter)
