Sunak will spend the next six months treading water

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It’s likely that Sunak’s disunited party will stage a culture war, all while we wait for a general election (PA)

So what exactly is the “plan to deliver on the priorities of the people” of which Rishi Sunak speaks? His party has mismanaged its years in power with a succession of threadbare plans over austerity, our exit from the EU, social care, NHS waiting lists, immigration and housing. All that has done nothing for the majority while prioritising the interests of a wealthy minority.

It is clear that Labour does have credible plans for addressing the nation’s economic, social and international problems. The impediment to their successful implementation will be a further running down of resources and time by a government that continues to prioritise its own survival over any action that is in the national interest.

I fear that we are in for six months of treading water as Sunak and his disunited party stage a culture war based on misinformation and innuendo, all while we wait for a general election. It is to be hoped, eventually, that Labour will be given the substantial majority that it needs and that it can make the changes that the electorate so desperately needs.

Graham Powell

Cirencester

Voter apathy is no longer an excuse

In the wake of the local elections, I find it incredulous that neither of the two main parties has understood the contempt in which they are held.

This is shown by how many people choose not to vote in the recent local elections. No longer can this be put down to voter apathy. Our politicians must realise voters are completely disillusioned, with nothing ever changing in regard to the UK’s current inequality.

It is long overdue that both main parties started seeing themselves as public servants as opposed to political celebrities. It is also high time we had some MPs with imagination, creativity and innovative ideas, instead of those constantly reverting to past policies that weren’t successful in their time.

Richard Whiteside

Halifax

Embracing opportunity

Housing stands as a pivotal issue in the election fray, given its correlation with economic stability. Recent upticks in house prices and mortgage approvals hint at recovery, yet the persistent housing shortage threatens a prolonged recession. The UK faces a crisis of affordability due to insufficient homes for rent and sale, negatively impacting GDP.

Decades of social strain persist with little resolution in sight. We need each party to present a radical yet credible long-term plan to assuage market concerns.

Four primary factors underpin our current crisis: over-reliance on major housebuilders, politicised planning discouraging development, net loss of social housing, and post-Brexit labour shortages.

Addressing these root problems is imperative to alleviate the affordability crisis.

Boosting skilled labour domestically and reforming the planning system is crucial. Independent decision making and private-sector assistance can expedite approvals and reduce costs, while prioritising social housing and incentivising brownfield developments are essential steps toward sustainable growth.

Despite potential temporary unpopularity, a steadfast commitment to a pro-growth agenda is necessary. The unique challenges facing the UK demand decisive action, and politicians should embrace this opportunity to steer us toward a better future.

Daniel Austin

London

When does the silliness stop?

It’s hard to tell which is worse, gender-reveal parties or an attempt to ban them. Strangely for such a modern approach, there seem to only be pink or blue versions, whereas nowadays we know there are a number of other ways people identify themselves.

In saner times, a doctor or nurse would say what the baby was and word would spread swiftly amongst the community. Now, as YouTube will verify, there are numerous approaches, seemingly for social media views. Not all of them are safe, much less sensible.

The ever-informative internet tells of numerous fires and even a few deaths from gender reveal parties.

Surely just telling granny would be a faster, more effective, and less dangerous method? But banning people from doing stupid things, especially if they get likes, is virtually impossible.

Dennis Fitzgerald

Melbourne

Who’s really cashing in?

Millions of people get cancer without receiving all the fuss, sympathy, and media attention. What are those millions? Inferior, or just not born with a silver spoon?

Apart from no media attention, do they get equal medical attention?

If the monarchy doesn’t want to be under media scrutiny, they can always abdicate. They might then find life just as tough as the majority of people. I wonder if they have ever struggled to pay their fuel bills.

At least Harry and Meghan have the gumption to give it a go and break away from relying on the taxpayer.

Graham Cooper

Address Supplied