The Tory implosion continues. They wrecked the economy with a ‘mini-Budget’ leaving everyone with higher bills plus people paying hundreds extra per month for their mortgage.
Now Johnson and some of his cronies abscond, crying ‘witch-hunt’ like pathetic mini-Trumps.
The truth is that Johnson has now seen the findings of the inquiry into the extent of his deceit during covid lockdowns and has fled like an utter coward.
The report from the Tory-dominated committee is out soon so we will all see the extent of his lies, but not before the current Tory Prime Minister has approved Johnson’s ‘honours’ list which bizarrely even includes a gong for his hairdresser.
The sooner the country is shot of his grubbiness the better.
In stark contrast to Johnson, there are people I meet in Southwark who offer nothing but selflessness and desire no more than the chance to improve their community.
Today is the funeral of one such person: Coral Newall. I met her through volunteering at the Christmas dinner at Guy’s and through her work at the Beormund Community Centre. Coral was one of life’s givers: always there for others and always looking out for our community. She will be missed greatly.
Our community needs more champions like Coral as we struggle through the cost-of-living crisis. Last week, I met with ‘End Child Poverty’ campaigners who highlighted child poverty rates have risen to 4.2 million over the past decade, largely as a direct result of Government policies, including cuts to Universal Credit.
Labour in Government legislated to abolish child poverty but the work towards that goal has been eradicated by Tories since 2010 (aided by Lib Dems in the Clegg-Cameron Coalition). As a result, almost 10,000 children across Bermondsey and Old Southwark now live in poverty.
We also see record foodbank demand as the Government ignores Labour calls for a proper windfall tax on excess energy profits to help anyone struggling.
Citizen’s Advice told Parliament last week that the country is facing its bleakest situation in their entire 80 year history.
The stark warning about people’s debt and finances comes as Citizens Advice close their Bermondsey Bureau.
I am seeking alternative means for local people to access support in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe after the closure of the bureau at The Blue.
Closure of Citizens Advice on the Blue shows ‘services are draining out of Bermondsey’
I hope using alternative facilities, like the council office on Tooley Street, my own office on Jamaica Road or community halls will help ensure no one loses the means to see an advisor face-to-face.
As people struggle with finances, we also see the explosion in mental ill-health related to anxiety and stress.
We have additional online and in-person help in Southwark, including through services like the Hub and the NEST pioneered by the Labour council. But our local NHS mental health services provided by South London and the Maudsley are having to cut £45 million from services this year in a cruel twist from a Tory Government that pretended it was building 40 new hospitals.
Just one further example of Johnson’s dislocated relationship with the truth.
