What I believe in
I believe it is important for members choosing a prospective Labour Party candidate for Stockton North and effectively the area’s next MP should know what their candidate believes and stands for. I hope these headlines will help you understand me and what I’ll work for.
Communities and Housing - top -
- Social housing must be built on a massive scale – we can be ashamed of what we haven’t achieved in 10 years
- We need to dig deep into our communities to reach the most vulnerable and give them purpose in life
- Community policing is starting to work but resources need better targeting to our most difficult areas
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence - top -
- Our Government was conned on Iraq but we need to do even more for peace in the Middle East
- The £15 billion to replace Trident can be better utilised – starting by looking after those who’ve suffered in our wars
- We can be proud of our lead on Africa but we’ve only just started
- Trade with the USA is critical to us but they shouldn’t own us
- China and other emerging nations are important too but human rights are paramount
- We must do more to help refugees and asylum seekers
- Clarity is needed on immigration with recognition of the benefits others bring to our economy and community
- Its time we acted on repealing Thatcher’s legislation
- The Labour Party/Trade Union partnership needs restoring
- Local MPs need to do more to work with trades unionists on jobs, investment and rights
- Privatised services must be halted and standards raised
- There should be no lottery on prescription drugs – they should be properly and fairly targeted
- Its time Stockton had its new hospital like all the other areas
Jobs, training and investment - top -
- The switch to low paid, low skilled jobs in lamentable and we need more high skilled jobs
- Our traditional industries like fabrication work can be developed but more young people need proper training
- Investment is flowing but we need a strong champion to help accelerate it
Education and Social Care - top -
- We still have much more to do to get the best for our most needy elderly, children and communities
- Standards in education and care are rising fast, investment is promised and we must build on our progress
Taxation and Minimum Wage - top -
- There are plenty of people who can afford more and we should be collecting it
- The minimum wage must be grown well beyond inflation
House of Lords - top -
- A fully elected second chamber is the only proper solution