In 2024, the residents of Portsmouth voted for Change - electing two Labour MPs - but the Labour government have repeated failed to deliver on the change that they promised you.
While we keep delivering for you in Portsmouth, we're dedicated to holding the Labour government to account.
Labour's 2024 manifesto promised to slash winter fuel poverty, but instead they plunged over a million impoverished pensioners into a freezing winter - making them choose between heating and eating.
“Among them were 320,000 people living in absolute poverty – whereby an individuals lack the means to buy basic necessities.” - The i, March 2025
“In the poll of around 6,000 retirees, 63 per cent said that they had felt cold more often this winter compared to previous years, with 16 per cent saying they have even had to cut back on meals.” - The Independent, January 2025
“Far too many older people on low incomes will fall through the cracks and could now be living in freezing cold homes, which can be damaging to your health, and in some cases, life threatening.” - Morgan Vine, Director of Policy, Independent Age
Government Minister Stephen Morgan used the WASPI campaign in a bid to win your vote, but his government refused to consider the results of an independent investigation.
“Labour tells people who have to wait longer for state pension to ‘go to the job centre’” - The Express, April 2025
“In effect, they’re merely putting sticking plasters on the broken legs of our pension system” - The Canary, April 2025
“What we don't expect is for an acknowledgment to be made by a public body that it’s got it wrong but then refuse to make it right for those affected” - Rebecca Hilsenrath, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, December 2024
In the run up to the 2024 election, Labour told you they would ‘support business through a stable policy environment’, but their job tax is stifling investment and costing jobs.
“Employers in certain sectors, such as retail, have already stated that consumer prices will need to increase and job losses will be inevitable.” - The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
"Nearly all (96% of 728) nurseries surveyed by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said they will have no choice but to put up fees because of the NIC rise, leaving parents to pick up the shortfall." - Sky News, April 2025
"If the government wants to invest in the future, then lightening the burden that the Budget loaded onto the retail sector should be at the top of its immediate action list." - Stuart Machin, Chief Executive, M&S
‘Labour will develop an ambitious strategy to reduce child poverty' was a rallying cry from Labour in 2024, but now they're silent on lifting children out of poverty here in Portsmouth.
“An extra 30,000 children have been pulled into poverty by the controversial ‘two-child limit’ on benefits since Labour came to power, according to new research ahead of the eight anniversary of the policy.” - The Independent, April 2025
“I have found myself relying on credit cards and ‘buy now, pay later’ for essential items like bills and fresh food, fruit and vegetables to feed three growing children. During lockdown my children did not have access to many learning resources as I was not able to afford educational technology such as laptops and tablets. My son cannot keep up with his peers." - The Big Issue, April 2025
“Scrapping the two-child limit is by far the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. It would lift 350,000 children out of poverty overnight and result in 700,000 children living in less deep poverty. If it is not scrapped, the stark reality is that child poverty will be significantly higher at the end of this parliament than when the government took office making this the first time a Labour government would leave such a legacy, and the number of children living in poverty will be at its highest since records began.” - The Child Poverty Action Group, April 2025
The Labour Government claims to be committed to championing the rights of disabled people, all while threatening the systems that have been put in place to protect them.
“Ombudsman’s ruling linked a constituent’s suicide with the flawed personal independence payment (PIP) system, just as Rachel Reeves announced £4.5 billion cuts to PIP spending." - Disability News Service, April 2025
"New data shows cabinet ministers among MPs at risk as campaign to pressure government over proposed benefit cuts to step up." - The Guardian, April 2025
"These reforms will only transfer costs and pressure to other government departments including already stretched mental health services by exacerbating poverty and worsening the nation’s physical and mental health. Behind every statistic is a real person struggling with their mental health and terrified by the government’s plans. We need urgent action to protect and improve support, not take it away. We are calling on the government to stop these planned cuts and instead commit to meaningful involvement of disabled people in shaping future benefit reforms.” - Nil Guzelgun, Policy and Campaigns Manager, Mind
We've heard from hundreds of people across Portsmouth who feel Let Down By Labour.
Some of those have voted Labour for their whole lives, while others put their support behind Labour to end a decade of Tory decline. Labour's 2024 voters come from all walks of life, but now traditional Labour voters and new Labour voters are united in disappointment, disillusionment, and a feeling of betrayal. Instead of standing up for Labour values, Keir Starmer and this Labour government have turned their backs on families, farmers, and the most vulnerable in society.
The Liberal Democrats believe in doing politics differently.
We have a track record of delivering high quality services for local residents here in Portsmouth, and our 72 MPs are holding the government to account in Westminster. While our local Labour MPs vote through Labour's damaging and destructive policies without hesitation, we're continuing to work hard for you everyday.
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