The Labour Party in Harpenden & Berkhamsted is calling on local constituents to vote for change. On this Thursday, 4th July, voters (don’t forget your ID!) have the chance to end 14 years of Conservative chaos.

Here are just five of the many reasons why voters should kick out the Tories this Thursday:

The NHS – “On Its Knees”

The NHS is on its knees  – with increasing waiting times for cancer treatment, GP services at breaking point, record waiting lists and record vacancies for healthcare workers. The local NHS wait for cancer treatment is on average more than x3 higher than the national eight week (62 days) standard.

Skyrocketing housing costs

17% of all households in the constituency faced increasing mortgage costs in 2023 due to the disastrous Tory Truss/Kwarteng budget in September 2022 which saw an immediate jump in interest rates of between 1% and 2%. The Resolution Foundation estimated that the government also lost £30 billion as a result of this budget.

Devastated Schools cut to the bone

Since the 2010/11 academic year, schools in Hertfordshire have collectively faced £6.2 million in cuts, amounting to £412 less per pupil. Among the worst affected are schools where support is needed the most, with Special Educational Needs provision for children aged 7 to 16 being particularly devastated by Tory cuts.

A Broken Criminal Justice System

On average, it now takes nearly two years for a criminal case heard in crown court to go from offence to verdict. In 2020, the Conservatives pledged to provide 20,000 more prison places; they have delivered just 5,500. The latest Ministry of Justice figures, released on Friday, showed just over 1,000 available spaces in England and Wales.

A Chaotic Approach to Immigration

The Home Office’s failure to process asylum claims efficiently has led to unacceptable costs to the taxpayer. No credible plan exists to end the use of hotels to accommodate people waiting for a decision, at a cost of £2.3bn in 2022-23.  More than £320m has been wasted on the controversial scheme to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. 

Don’t forget your Voter ID !!!

The new Voter ID laws and Tory-led boundary changes are a clear attempt to suppress votes. Don’t let this deter you – bring an accepted form of ID to the polls and make your voice heard. Find your polling station on the Electoral Commission website.

The Conservatives have failed every generation in Harpenden & Berkhamsted. This week, let’s come together and vote to kick them out on Thursday 4th July. Make your voice heard. Vote for change.