Stephen Barrett's Plan for Hertsmere
Liberal Democrat candidate for Hertsmere, Stephen Barrett, has a positive plan to build a brighter future for Hertsmere. Stephen offers Hertsmere voters a credible alternative to the divisive policies of Conservatives and Labour:
1. Stop Brexit
Electing a Liberal Democrat government is the only way to get the Brexit process over. The national humiliation of Brexit puts so much at risk - the NHS, public services, jobs across the country, scientific collaboration, peace in Northern Ireland, the unity of the UK, our ability to tackle global crises such as climate change and our global reputation as a country that is confident and outward-facing. By keeping the UK in the EU, we can get on with tackling the real issues facing our country, using the Remain Bonus of £50 billion to invest in public services and tackle inequality.
2. Fight the Climate Crisis with Ambition and Urgency
The UK should be leading the world in tackling the climate emergency. We are the first generation to know we are destroying the environment, and the last generation with a chance to do something about it before it is too late. There is no Planet B. If we fail to act, millions of people - at home and abroad - will suffer the impacts of floods, storms and heatwaves, rising food prices and the spread of diseases; the global financial system will be destabilised, poor countries could collapse and the number of refugees will soar.
As Hertsmere's Liberal Democrat MP he would support tackling the climate crisis by cutting today's emissions in half by 2030 (falling by 75% compared to 1990 levels), and achieving net-zero emissions by 2045 at the latest. In addition, the Lib Dems would ensure that by 2030 all British homes are properly insulated, that 80% of the nation's power is generated from renewables and that all new cars sold are electric.
3. Invest in Our Schools
Helping children get the best start in life is an issue close to Stephen's heart. He's a School Business Leader in a large state secondary school responsible for managing its multi-million pound budget. The opportunity to improve the life chances of young people across the country is why he wants to be involved in politics and why he is campaigning to implement the investments and reforms that the Liberal Democrat's have planned for education.
Liberal Democrats have a plan to boost quality at every stage of education. We will start with a bold offer of free childcare from the of age nine months (the end of paid parental leave), transforming the opportunities for early years education and helping parents who want to combine caring and working. We will reverse school cuts with an immediate emergency cash injection so that pupils have the resources they need to learn, and let teachers get on with the job of raising standards rather than having to worry about budgeting for the basics.
4. Increase GP Numbers
Under the Conservatives our NHS and social care services are in a state of crisis. The average wait for patients for a routine GP appointment is now more than two weeks and waiting times are rising in A&E and for operations. Health inequalities are widening and life expectancy stalling, and we have one of the worst rates of depression in the EU.
Liberal Democrats are the only party which is forward-thinking and committed to pursuing the preventative measures that will secure the future of the NHS and Social Care. We recognise that a well-trained and well-funded workforce lies at the heart of making sure that people can receive the care they need. Stephen is committed to policies that would raise £7 billion a year in additional revenue from a 1p rise in income tax ring-fenced to be spent only on NHS and social care services. This cash will be used to relieve the crisis in social care, tackle urgent workforce shortages, and to invest in mental health and prevention services.
5. Credible Economics
In its assessment of the major parties' manifestos for this general election, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said it all: The Liberal Democrats "are now the only major party committed to reduce the national debt as a fraction of national income." A good government should responsibly manage the nation's finances: taking advantage of opportunities to borrow to invest in key infrastructure while making sure that day-to-day spending does not exceed the amount of money raised in taxes. The Liberal Democrats are the only party who will manage the country's finances prudently.
The Conservatives are pursuing a Brexit that will wreck the economy for a generation, making it impossible to sustainably invest in public services. Labour will waste billions nationalising utilities - spending money that could be used to improve them just to bring them under state control. Our plan for the future is built on responsible management of the country's finances: stopping Brexit and using the increased revenue from a bigger economy to invest in services and using the money that Labour would waste to tackle the climate emergency and invest in transport and energy infrastructure.