Wednesday's Budget confirms what many people across the Bridgwater constituency already feared. Labour has put taxes up by another £26 billion, hitting workers, pensioners, drivers, savers and even milkshakes, all to fund a sharp rise in welfare spending. Labour is ceasing to be the party of working people, it is becoming the party of welfare.
Ahead of the Budget I asked constituents for their views. More than 89 percent said they were worried about what Labour was planning. When asked about tax and spending choices 70 percent said they wanted lower taxes and less government spending. People in the constituency are clear about what matters and this Budget ignored them.
The vast majority backed Conservative policies that support work and local growth.
72 percent rated abolishing business rates for high street pubs and shops as important.
83 percent said scrapping the Family Farms Tax was important.
83 percent said keeping the two child benefit cap was important to protect taxpayers.
Labour did none of these things. Instead they lifted the two child benefit cap, increased welfare spending for over half a million families and chose to raise taxes on workers, pensioners and savers to pay for it.
People across the constituency want a government that backs those who work hard, save, run businesses, and contribute to our community. This Budget does the opposite. It raises taxes to expand welfare and offers nothing to support economic growth or strengthen our high streets, our farms or our local economy.
There is a better way. Conservatives have set out plans to cut wasteful spending, bring down energy costs, support business investment and get Britain working again. I will continue to stand up for the priorities that people across the constituency have been clear about.
