MIKE HILL: 'This crisis is never going to be cured with a meal deal and a round of applause'

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his government are under fire for handling of pandemic crisis.

Parliament has been in recess since July, which means valuable time to work in the constituency and reach out to our communities. However, with Parliament closed, we lose our valuable time to hold ministers to account for their actions. As we return from the parliamentary summer recess I’ve been reflecting on the Government’s record.

What I’ve seen is pure disappointment. I can’t count the number of letters I’ve written to the Government throughout recess, but I can count the responses. On one hand.

This Government are too slow to act and when they do finally act, it’s usually a disaster. Everything from A Levels to the newly announced armed forces review has been a litany of U-turns, lies and failures.

I’ve spoken to crying, angry teachers about exam results. NHS staff who have been refused pay rises while the sound of our applause is still ringing in their ears. Small-business owners who know that they’re going to go bust because the Government didn’t give them the help they needed.

Even as a write this, I’ve received a BBC notification announcing yet another U-turn on face masks in schools. Another policy that was cast iron on Friday, being cast out the next week. Some say the Government is doing its best; but what happens when their best just isn’t good enough?

Communities the length and breadth of this country are feeling the sting of the virus and the economic impact. This crisis is never going to be cured with a meal deal and a round of applause. This Government simply do not understand the real needs of people in this country.

I’ll be raising all this and more from next Tuesday as soon as we return to Westminster. The Government had too long a holiday; it’s time for Hartlepool to get some answers. Please get in touch if there’s a question you’d like me to ask on your behalf. It’s my duty to you.

The Tories have failed our children. They failed our NHS staff. They failed our local communities. They failed every business they left out of their support package. They are even now failing our armed forces.

We can never forget it.