There’s absolutely no doubt that this country is going in the wrong direction in the way that it is governed.  Tory politicians like Rishi Sunak nationally and Henry Smith locally simply don’t have what is needed to make this country the success it should be.

In the past few days, Keir Starmer set out some of what a future Labour government will look like and I must say that I find this thinking fresh and exciting – and, most importantly, deliverable.  He set out new national missions for national renewal – for change, for a new Britain, and for hope.

Labour will grow and deliver an economy for everyone, that the British people deserve.

For too long our economy, our public services and our communities have suffered from the sticking plaster politics that has epitomised the past twelve years of Conservative governments.  The short-term mind-set that has dominated the Conservatives’ time in government has infected all the institutions which try and fail to run Britain from the centre.

Labour will deliver a new way of governing that will build a fairer, greener, more dynamic Britain with power closer to people.  No more Westminster hoarding power, no more holding back this country’s economic potential.   Labour will modernise central government. It will be driven by clear, measurable objectives focused on the needs of the people of this country.

A future Labour government will also introduce legislation that will give local communities like Crawley’s the ability to take on and do all the things that we know are so keenly needed, in its plans to oversee the biggest transfer of power from Westminster in British political history.

The Act will give English towns and cities the tools they need to develop credible, long-term growth plans, with packages of powers tailored to the individual areas’ particular circumstances to support prosperity and growth.

So this year, in place of sticking plaster politics, Labour will set out the case for change. The case for hope. That politics can be a force for good. I hope to do what I can to help in making that happen.

Cllr Michael Jones

Leader, Crawley Borough Council