What’s the most important concern you need Keir Starmer to deal with – vote in our ballot
Keir Starmer has promised to “reverse a decade of decline” in a major speech today, as he highlights the disastrous ruin left by the Tories – but what is the biggest issue that YOU want addressed?
Speaking from No10 this morning the PM has pledged to “get a grip” of the problems facing the UK and “root out 14 years of rot” under the Conservatives. He told nation: “Things are worse than we ever imagined.
“When there is rot deep in the heart of a structure, you can’t just cover it up. You can’t tinker with it or rely on quick fixes. You have to overhaul the entire thing. Tackle it at the root. Even if it’s harder work and takes more time.”
Mr Starmer referenced the “£22bn black hole” in the nation’s finances, that he said the Office for Budget Responsibility was unaware of, as he took aim at the Tories. Slamming the former government, he said: “We have done more in seven weeks than the last government has done in seven years.”
He also blamed the Conservatives for the far-right riots and the “shocking scenes” the country witnessed in recent weeks. The PM added that it “revealed the cracks in our society after decades of decline”.
It comes a month after Labour announced the decision to remove universal winter fuel payments for pensioners, as Mr Starmer said: “I won’t shy away from making unpopular decisions now if it’s the right thing for the country in the long term.”
Just a week before MPs return from the summer recess, we want to know which issue you’re most passionate about the Government tackling. For many people, immigration is paramount as the latest Home Office figures reveal there was an asylum backlog of nearly 119,000 at the end of June.
The small boats crisis has continued to exacerbate, with a staggering 5,720 people having made the dangerous journey across the Channel since Labour came to power in July. The Government has scrapped the costly Rwanda deal and launched a Border Security Command instead.
Mr Starmer has also vowed to create a new National Care Service to tackle pressure on the NHS by ensuring swifter discharges. It comes as alarming figures show that people are languishing in hospital for weeks because of delays providing the care they need.
A Government spokesman said: “Our broken NHS hospital discharge system is blocked by an inadequate and neglected social care system. This Government is committed to reforming the adult social care sector and building a National Care Service to deliver high-quality care across the country and ease pressure on the NHS so it is fit for the future.”
The Government will also address the escalating tensions in the Middle East and Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has made several visits to the Middle East amid intense diplomacy over the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Since entering government he has repeatedly demanded a ceasefire in Gaza. Just last week the number of Palestinians killed in the conflict topped the bloody milestone of 40,000.
From overcrowding in prisons to the university funding crisis, Labour has an abundance of issues to tackle – but which one do you consider as most important? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say. If we have missed any from the list, let us know in the comments section below.
