Former shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth has written that Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting must be key players in Labour's future, describing them as 'two hugely talented politicians with big ideas on the changes we need to bring about to create a fairer, more equal society'.
Labour's achievements so far
Ashworth noted that Keir Starmer finally got to celebrate Arsenal winning the Premier League after twenty-two years. Labour ministers also celebrated better economic performance than doomsters predicted, with NHS waiting lists dropping to their lowest in three years. Rachel Reeves announced new measures to help families with children through the summer, including a VAT cut on attractions during school holidays.
The Labour government has increased the national minimum wage by £1,500 a year, opened 1,250 free breakfast clubs for hungry school children, and scrapped the 'heinous Tory two child rule' that plunged many children into deep poverty. Ashworth emphasised these are tangible examples of Labour delivering changes readers want, lifting thousands of children out of poverty.
Need for more action
However, with opinion polls showing Labour losing about 21 per cent of its vote to the Greens and Lib Dems, and about 14 per cent to the Tories and Reform, Ashworth stressed Labour must do much more to deliver well-paid jobs and end rip-offs and profiteering that make life unaffordable.
He praised the return of Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, should he win the parliamentary battle in Makerfield, noting that when Ashworth was shadow Welfare chief, he looked carefully at Burnham's 'Working Well' service that helped people move off benefits into work across Manchester. Ashworth also endorsed former health secretary Wes Streeting's ideas on helping young people with student debt, lack of decent jobs, and housing difficulties.
Ashworth's NEC candidacy
Ashworth is running for Labour's National Executive Committee, a body he says must be fully behind Labour's top team to campaign for winning the next general election. He concluded that regardless of machinations among Labour bigwigs, both Andy and Wes must be key star players in Labour's future.
Stroke Awareness Month plea
Ashworth shared his personal experience of suffering a stroke on New Year's Day at age 47, despite never smoking and having run marathons. He urged everyone to get their blood pressure checked at local chemists, noting that stroke is a leading cause of death and more testing would save lives.
Call for tougher sanctions on Israel
Ashworth expressed he wanted Labour to call for a ceasefire in Gaza earlier. He condemned recent comments from Israeli ministers taunting flotilla activists attempting to deliver humanitarian aid, calling for clearer condemnation and tougher sanctions.
Panini sticker appeal
Ashworth shared his struggle to find a Jude Bellingham sticker for his Panini album, jokingly offering to swap if anyone has a spare.
