Policy Priorities

Nancy writes:

My main policy interests are, without question, tackling disadvantage and creating a fairer and more equal society. Whether it is better public transport with access for people with disabilities, cheaper fares for those on low incomes, a living wage, affordable childcare so parents can go back to work or tackling energy providers and others who make huge profits at the expense of ordinary people – these are all things on which I have campaigned in my professional life and will continue to do so if elected to Parliament.

There are Government policies where my views differ, but I still passionately believe in the Labour Party as the vehicle for progressive social change in this country. However, going into Parliament will not stop me from standing up for what I believe in and on the issues that are important to the people of Brighton.

Three things I think should be in the next Labour manifesto are:

Affordable Housing: Housing is a critical issue for Brighton, like in cities all over the country. I want to see more investment in affordable housing and we need to be clearer about what we mean - affordable housing should actually be affordable to those who live and work in the local area. Too often even ‘affordable’ housing is out of reach for people on low and average incomes.

Older people should receive greater priority. With the public finances suffering from the recession I believe we should reconsider how we plan to spend our money. I would like to see substantial investment in care for older people; this could be funded by completely abandoning Trident and ID cards.

Greater investment in renewable energies is critical if the Government is to deliver the reduced carbon emissions reductions which it wrote into the world leading Climate Change Act.