K is for Good On Ya, Kid.
These words were shared with me on my visit to an elderly lady, aged 85 on Monday. I had gone to discuss the warden situation in her sheltered housing, but conversation quickly moved to politics and generated this extraordinary statement in relation to Theresa May. I suppose if you are in your 80s then the PM is a kid!
This delightful lady, who remembered the political landscape of North Northumberland before my predecessor's tenure like it was yesterday, was keen to impress upon me how right she thought Theresa was to tackle the demographic timebomb (2 million more over 75s in next decade) of social care. And that she must not shy away from the difficult but right principle that the older population should pay for their care rather than force general taxation for it on the young. All practical demonstrations of what Theresa calls intergenerational fairness.
There were similar, as well as divergent, views at the excellent Friends of the Earth debate on Monday evening where we covered everything from climate change to Brexit to road investment and wind farms, new energy sources and battery technology. The old fashioned hustings is a great way to have proper conversations about issues which concern voters and challenge all candidates on their plans should their party be elected to office.
It was only as I was driving home that the horror of the events unfolding in Manchester started to become clear.
Due to that horrific attack on our innocent children and young people in Manchester, the Prime Minister declared that the general election to be suspended until today. We are now gently resuming normal leafleting and canvassing duties as we all attempt to return to normality, because not to do so is giving in to those who wish to destroy democracy, freedom of choice, freedom of speech, and universal womens' rights and education for all. We will never let them win.
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If you have any issues you would like to discuss please don't hesitate to contact me anytime on 01665 478188 orĀ trevelyanoffice@gmail.com