Labour MPs hail year of progress as Tories say Government is in chaos
But opposition MPs have slammed a Government “in chaos” after a less-than-ideal week marking a year in power for Labour that saw its biggest Commons rebellion to date and the PM forced to deny Rachel Reeves’ days as Chancellor were numbered after she was seen crying at PMQs.
Deals to save Hitachi, the rollout of free school breakfast clubs and improved relations with Europe have all been hailed key successes by Labour representatives here.
A year ago today (July 4) Labour surged to power across the North East, with Sir Keir Starmer’s Party winning all but one seat across the region.
A Government spokesperson said it was “elected with a commitment to deliver change and security for working people” and that it is “getting on with the job”.
The region’s only Conservative MP, Matt Vickers, slammed Labour’s first year in power describing it “a government in chaos”, with Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen saying the Government has “left a lot to be desired” nationally.
Matt Vickers, MP for Stockton West, has been highly critical of Labour’s first year in power The past week has proven difficult for Labour as it faced its biggest rebellion to date over its welfare reforms. Rachel Reeves also received the backing of Sir Keir after being spotted crying in Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions.
Recent YouGov polling also puts the Party are second to Reform UK. Labour are currently sat at 24% in the polls behind Nigel Farage’s Reform at 26%. Durham County Council is now also controlled by Reform, after a crushing victory at the last local elections in May.
City of Durham Labour MP, Mary Kelly Foy, who has been a vocal opponent to her own party’s welfare plans, praised the Government’s progress but admitted it had not all been “plain sailing”.
She hailed improvements to workers rights, NHS investment to cut waiting lists, the rollout of breakfast clubs and moves to ban smoking and vaping for youngsters, and also praised the job the party has done on the world stage, saying the UK is considered a “serious country” again.
But Ms Foy told the Echo: “A lot has been achieved, but there is always more to do.
“Labour is delivering the biggest increase in workers’ rights in a generation; we have provided record investment in the NHS with waiting lists beginning to fall, ended the scandal of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme and have begun the process of returning trains and buses to public control.
“I did oppose the cuts to Winter Fuel Allowance, and have regularly spoken out against the Government’s proposed changes to the social security system,” she continued.
“While it is clear that the Government needs to get better at listening, there is much we can be pleased about, while acknowledging there is much still to do”.
Mary Kelly Foy praised work the Government has done, but said it is clear it needs to get better at listening (Image: MARY FOY)
The region’s only Tory MP, Stockton West’s Matt Vickers, claimed Labour “misled the British people to win power”.
He said: “They vowed not to raise taxes — then hiked National Insurance, targeted our family farms with punitive new taxes, and pushed up business rates, hammering local employers and costing jobs.
“And if that wasn’t enough, they also went for pensioners — snatching away Winter Fuel Payments from those who need them most. It’s not just a broken promise — it’s a calculated betrayal”.
He also claimed Labour is “out of touch with places like Teesside”.
Mr Vickers added: “They’ve waved through massive, inflation-busting pay deals for train drivers, while ordinary families struggle with soaring bills and stagnant wages. Unemployment is rising, growth is flatlining, and confidence is draining from our economy by the day.
“This is a government in chaos — lurching from u-turn to u-turn, clinging to slogans while delivering nothing.
“For all their talk of integrity, Labour have shown themselves to be dishonest, incompetent, and totally out of touch with places like Teesside. The people of the North won’t forget it”.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, part of the Government’s new Council of Nations and Regions, praised the Government for their cooperation locally, but said there is “still a lot to be desired” nationally.
Lord Houchen said: “On a personal level this Government have been true to their word and have worked incredibly positively with me, helping us unlock some potentially globally significant investment opportunities.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen praised the Government’s cooperation and work locally, but said there has been significant policy missteps nationally (Image: CHRIS BOOTH) “The Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minster, and their respective teams have been incredibly open with us, and I think it is fair to say they have treated me better than the last Government treated the Labour Mayors”.
The Tees Valley Mayor added: “I think they have made some significant policy missteps, not least the winter fuel payments, farmers’ tax, and the hike to businesses NI contributions which is killing hard working local firms.
“To grow the economy, they cannot continue to tax people and expect for things to change. We need to see a change of approach otherwise things are only going to get worse”.
Mr Houchen was also critical of the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, saying: “He has refused to engage with me about our plans to build a new hospital. Our region deserves a new hospital, and I will continue to push the Government to get this moving”.
Darlington MP Lola McEvoy added: “I’ve been lobbying ministers and working with the Government to deliver meaningful change that people can see and feel in our region. There is still much to be done but I hope people can see we’re heading in the right direction.”
Meanwhile North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said Labour had “made great progress” to bring investment into the region including working to secure the future of Hitachi.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness praised the Government’s work on securing a deal for Hitachi (Image: SARAH CALEDCOTT) A government spokesperson said: “This government was elected with a commitment to deliver change and security for working people – and we are getting on with the job.
Recommended Reading:
ADD LINKS
“We are delivering our Plan for Change – a cost-of-living boost with four interest rate cuts, wages are rising faster than prices and immigration coming down with 30,000 people with no right to be here removed.
“At the last election a year ago, we promised two million extra appointments in the NHS in the first year of this government and now have delivered four million extra appointments. That’s a promise made and a promise delivered.
“Progress has been made, but we know people are impatient for change – and we are too – so we will continue to govern in the national interest for British people and deliver a decade of national renewal”.