We could start with what was missing from the speech by the latest Prime Minister chosen by a select few; a genuine plan to bring energy bills down, a plan to help people with the cost-of-living crisis, a plan to combat the climate crisis, a plan to address the housing crisis, a plan for the NHS and social care, a sense of being in touch with reality, economic literacy, detail, leadership, an apology for serving in cabinets throughout 12 years of Tory ruin, an acknowledgement that she was selected by a small group of Tory members because her predecessor had lied repeatedly and tarnished the office, humility, a General Election date in order to give her premiership any sort of democratic legitimacy, reassurance for working families.

All of these things were missing from her speech. So what was in it? Bluster, praise for an outgoing Prime Minister who lied himself out of a job and let the country down, a wishy washy commitment to doing something about energy bills without revealing what or how, a call for tax cuts which will do nothing to help people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, and a healthy dose of meaningless platitudes.

Labour Councillors are deeply disappointed that PM Truss didn’t use the opportunity of her first speech on the steps of Downing Street to outline a plan to deal with the cost-of-living crisis, such as a commitment to Labour’s energy bill freeze, paid for by a windfall tax on oil and gas companies who are enjoying record profits. This is what a serious Prime Minister would have done.

This Prime Minister has thus far done nothing to reassure working families she is on their side, nothing to show she understands the frustration of voters with the toxicity, lies and scandals coming out of Number 10 in recent years, and nothing to assure our residents that she is equipped or has any plans whatsoever to face the crises of the day that we face as a country, following 12 years of Conservative mismanagement.

The first speech from the incoming Prime Minister was a disappointment for our residents, local businesses, workers and families up and down the country. Let’s hope, for our residents’ sake, that this poor showing was not a sign of things to come, because millions of households are on the brink right now, and they deserve better leadership and a better government.

Cllr Carmen Appich & Cllr John Allcock
Co-Leaders of the Labour Opposition
Brighton & Hove City Council

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Image: Creative Commons