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Strathspey MP Graham Leadbitter ‘not holding my breath’ over Labour improving anything





GRAHAM LEADBITTER: The Labour government have simply followed the Tory flock on economic policy
GRAHAM LEADBITTER: The Labour government have simply followed the Tory flock on economic policy

As we approach the budget, I'm briefly reminded of the sense of relief that washed over the country on the night of the 4th July when it became clear the Tories were on their way out.

The night was undeniably a difficult night for my party, but to finally see an end to the 14 years of Tory rule that ushered in a new era of austerity, that hammered our public services, and left families worse off, was still a great feeling.

But that reminder fades quickly and I snap back to reality when I check the news, read emails from constituents, and take part in debates in the House of Commons where it’s clear we’re on the same path.

Labour has unfortunately failed to live up to the, fairly easy, expectation of being just slightly better than the Tories.

In just over 100 days they’ve maintained and adopted the Tory-introduced two-child cap, cut the Winter Fuel Payment for millions of people, and tens of thousands here in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey alone, they’ve presided over rising energy bills and have been too weak to properly combat the cost of living crisis.

In what should be a budget people are welcoming as a reset from the dire economic policies of the Tories, my constituents are instead bracing for impact.

The weeks before a budget should be for the government of the day to trail their game-changing policies, things that will have a positive impact on people and, ultimately, put more money in their pockets.

Instead we’re told, by the Prime Minister, things will get worse. Instead we’re shown that they can be just as sleazy and motivated by self-interest as their predecessors.

My colleagues and I in the SNP have spent recent weeks presenting our demands to the Chancellor.

They include action on the cost of living, action to bring down soaring car insurance costs, to bring down energy bills and maintain the Winter Fuel Payment.

These are things that would free up more cash for households after a seriously difficult few years for them.

Locally, my Moray SNP MP colleague, Seamus Logan and I have demanded the government live up to their promise to support the whisky industry by removing some of the tax and regulatory burdens the sector faces. That’s a move that could deliver serious investment and jobs to this area.

And I’ve personally joined the calls for this government to finally deliver the justice and compensation owed to the WASPI women.

But while I hope they’re listening, and working on implementing, all of those things, I unfortunately won’t hold my breath.

Because all we’ve seen from Labour is of a political party who have looked at the Tories and decided they are determined to follow suit in backing the policies - policies which have stifled growth, harmed public services, and negatively impacted families.

I could be wrong, and I hope I am, but regardless - my colleagues and I in the SNP will never stop standing up to this government, in support of the communities and people we represent.

Graham Leadbitter (SNP) is MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey .


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