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Badenoch and Strathspey MP: The UK state is failing





SNP MP Drew Hendry has issued a scathing assessment of the state of the UK government ahead of either Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss being appointed Prime Minister.

Mr Hendry highlighted the ‘extraordinarily long’ response times from government departments and claimed that his constituents are growing increasingly frustrated with the matter, with many having to wait months for basic items such as driving licences and passports to be issued.

Warning: Drew Hendry MP
Warning: Drew Hendry MP

The Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MP wrote a letter to 10 Downing St addressed “To Whom It May Concern” in early July highlighting these issues and demanding action from the incumbent prime minister and secretaries of state.

Commenting today, Mr Hendry said: “This matter goes far beyond party politics. The UK as a state is beginning to fail, and it seems impossible to get answers from any official UK government source on what is being done to fix it.

“Every day, I hear from folk asking for help with getting their driving licence after waiting for months without hearing any updates from the DVLA.

"Likewise, most people will be aware of the unacceptable delays in getting a passport.

"These are basic functions of a state, and they simply aren’t working as they should. It’s just not good enough.

“My team spend hours on hold waiting to get through to government departments such as the Home Office. Not to mention the difficulties local CAB offices are having. They are doing their best to help families and individuals who come forward asking for help, some in the direst of circumstances, yet it is nigh on impossible to get through to anyone who can make a difference.

“Folk in the Highlands know where the problem lies and with whom the blame rests.

"Last time I checked, Boris Johnson remains prime minister, but it appears to be in name only – I am still yet to receive a response to my letter from nearly three months ago. Needless to say, I’m not holding my breath.

“He has cemented his legacy as one of the worst prime ministers the UK has ever had, presiding over one of the most ineffective governments we’ve ever seen.

"Whether it’s Ms Truss or Mr Sunak who is appointed next week, they need to urgently get a grip of the government machine before it grinds to a halt completely to the detriment of all we are elected to serve.”


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