Congratulations to Keir Starmer and the Labour Party on their victory in last week’s General Election.
A major factor for the result was the utter contempt the public had for the Conservatives. As such, the Labour government has a lot to prove in the coming months and years. The vote certainly shouldn’t be seen as an endorsement of their lacklustre manifesto. I fear Labour’s pledges will do little to solve the many crises the country faces, be that in the NHS, housing, poverty, the environment, transport, energy, or foreign policy. I hope for the country’s sake I am proved wrong.
I also want to congratulate Max Wilkinson. He had a resounding win in Cheltenham. The Lib Dems now have the MP, as well as the majority of the county and borough councillors for Cheltenham. They must deliver as there is no longer anyone else to blame.
We need to see the cyber park completed on time and on budget. We need to see our hospital services restored and we need to see our town’s needs being met on housing, jobs, the environment and nature. This rests on the Lib Dems’ shoulders now. The Cheltenham Green Party and I will offer our support but be assured we will also call them out when they are getting it wrong.
The Greens are coming…
The Green Party continues to win across the country. In 2019 we won just one seat, we now have four and have gained an additional 1m votes. Thank you to all the members, volunteers and the voters who supported me to stand at this election. We received a record vote share, which is particularly encouraging when we know many voted tactically in Cheltenham to bring down the Conservative Government. Just imagine what will be possible at the next result now the need to tactically vote is over…
Thank You, Alex Chalk.
Party politics to one side, I want to thank Alex Chalk for what he has done for Cheltenham over the past nine years. Having campaigned, won three general elections and served the town for that long is to be commended. He helped put Cheltenham on the map within Westminster and was the first local MP to become a Cabinet minister. I sincerely hope he will not be the last. Thank you for your efforts, Alex. You leave big shoes for Max to fill.