\n\t\t\tI knocked on hundreds of doors across Smith\u2019s Wood and Castle Bromwich during the local elections. The results were bad for Labour \u2013 and I won\u2019t pretend otherwise. People voted for change in 2024 and simply do not think the right change has arrived fast enough. People are worried by the rising cost of living, fearful about the future and the prospects for the next generation.<\/p>\n
But while I\u2019ve been out listening, I\u2019ve also been doing a lot of thinking. About what\u2019s really going on in Britain right now. And about what needs to be said \u2013 honestly. Because the truth is most politicians are still too nervous to say this out loud.\n<\/p>\n
The world has changed fundamentally since 2024. We face war in Europe, instability across the Middle East, intensifying US-China rivalry, a fraying of the international order that kept us safe for decades. Britain has to respond \u2013 not just with words, but with money, with investment, with a serious national plan.<\/p>\n
Crucially, it means defence spending has to rise. Significantly. We can no longer rely of the Americans in the way we once did. By 2035 we\u2019ve pledged around \u00a3225billion on defence and national security. That\u2019s an extra \u00a340billion a year. It\u2019s the right call. But it has to be paid for honestly. We cannot pretend we rearm Britain, rebuild the NHS, fix our crumbling infrastructure, hit net zero targets, help with the cost of living without changes to tax \u2013 because we have to stop trying to borrow our way out of issues today in order to fund tomorrow.<\/p>\n
That means we need political leaders with the courage to level with people. Our manifesto was written before the world changed. The grown-up thing to do is to say so \u2013and set out a new plan together.<\/p>\n
That plan should do several things at once. Slash business rates, which are hammering high streets. Take the cost of net zero off household energy bills, because our industrial electricity prices are already the highest in the developed world. Find smarter ways to invest in the infrastructure this country desperately needs \u2013 the tram extension, the Heartlands Hospital rebuild, the jobs and homes Solihull and East Birmingham are waiting for. Raise the personal allowance for pensioners with small private pensions.<\/p>\n
This means having an adult conversation about tax \u2013 a proper \u201call-in-it-together\u201d approach \u2013 windfall taxes on energy companies; a small wealth tax on the richest 22,000 estates worth over \u00a310million; including looking at wealth and income fairly, and yes, welfare reform.<\/p>\n
None of this is comfortable. But the days of false promises have to end. I\u2019d rather be honest with you on the doorstep than pretend these choices don\u2019t exist.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m proud of what we\u2019ve fought for and won in this community. And I\u2019m determined to keep fighting.<\/p>\n
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