South Dorset Labour Party’s Parliamentary candidate, Simon Bowkett, has welcomed Labour leader Ed Miliband’s speech at the Party’s annual conference, saying that the themes “absolutely resonated with what people on the doorsteps in South Dorset are saying.”
In a speech called “Labour’s Plan for Britain’s Future”, Ed Miliband set out six policy priorities should Labour form a government in May 2015:
1. GIVING ALL YOUNG PEOPLE A SHOT IN LIFE: Ensure as many school-leavers go on to apprenticeships as go to university.
2. TACKLING THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS: Help working families share fairly in the wealth of our country so, when the economy grows, the wages of everyday working people grow at the same rate.
3. RESTORING THE DREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP: Meet demand for new homes for the first time in half a century – doubling the number of first-time buyers getting on to the housing ladder a year.
4. TACKLING LOW WAGES: Halve the number of people on low pay in our country, changing the lives of over two million people.
5. SECURING THE FUTURE: Create one million more high-tech jobs by securing the UK’s position as is a world leader in green industries.
6. SAVING OUR NHS: Build a world-class, 21st century health and care service
Talking about the plans, Simon Bowkett said,
“This was an excellent speech – measured, thoughtful and setting out in clear terms how Labour will stand up for the many, not the few. Under this government we very nearly saw the fragmentation of the United Kingdom, and we are certainly seeing the fragmentation of our communities. We believe, as we go into the General Election that our communities, our nation will achieve more together.
“On the doorsteps of Dorset people are telling me that the economy is not working for them, the local jobs market is not working for them, the local housing market is not working for them, and local health services –despite the hard work of local NHS staff – is not working for them.
“Ed’s speech shows that Labour has a clear, cohesive strategy to stand up for the many – not the privileged few; and here in South Dorset my team and I look forward to campaigning on these same themes to create an economy and a community that works for all working people here. More jobs, and better jobs; more homes, and affordable homes; and a stronger, better and more accessible local health and social care service – from community services, to GPs, to hospitals.”
