Bridget Phillipson MP: The values of Reform UK do not reflect those of our tolerant and diverse city
I know that people here in Sunderland want to feel meaningful change in their lives, after years of decline.
They want to feel safer on our streets, have pride in our communities and more money in their pockets.
I know it from speaking to people out and about in Sunderland, on the doorstep and at my regular community meetings.
And this month, they showed it at the ballot box.
But the values of Reform UK do not reflect those of our tolerant and diverse city. Reform is a party that when choosing candidates to represent our community, has turned a blind eye to racism, misogyny, homophobia and conspiracy theories.
So Labour has to be bolder to restore hope for people who feel change can’t come fast enough.
We have already delivered good, Labour things that are having a real impact here in our area.
From lifting a record number of children out of poverty, to rolling out free breakfast clubs to over 3,400 children in Sunderland.
From putting more police on our streets and giving them tougher powers, to investing £20million in neighbourhoods across Sunderland to restore pride in where we live.
And from the biggest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation, to giving renters real security and dignity in their homes.
But we can’t and we shouldn’t pretend the status quo is working.
To stop Reform, we have to be bolder and we have to deliver change faster.
The King’s Speech set out our plan to do just that.
We will keep working to bear down on the cost of living – protecting the UK’s vital industries, creating more high paid jobs with an apprenticeships plan to match, and adopting an economic plan that is driving down inflation and interest rates.
We will empower people, so that they are ready to seize opportunities to enjoy and improve their lives. We will fight for every child to have the chance to go as far as their talent and effort will take them.
And we will build back the sense of pride we’ve lost in our local communities, and return a sense of security and control to working people.
Labour is making these decisions with a clear aim: a fairer society that lifts living standards and widens opportunity for everyone.
We won’t promise quick fixes. There are no silver bullets, but decline is being reversed, opportunity and pride in Sunderland can be restored, the future can be better for your family, and politics can be a force for good.