Local MP remains determined to defend Basildon and Thurrock’s economic progress
As Parliament sits again for the New Year, Stephen Metcalfe MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock has spoken of his determination to protect the recent economic successes of his constituency.
Stephen Metcalfe’s comments follow recent claims made by Labour which have accused Conservative plans of taking public spending ‘back to the levels of the 1930s’.
Stephen Metcalfe commented: “This is simply not true, and is typical Labour scaremongering. As confirmed by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility, our plans would mean that spending on public services would be at the level that it was in 2002/2003 – when Labour were in power!”
“In truth, when the Conservatives came into office in 2010, the UK was on the brink of bankruptcy. Jobs were in jeopardy and the British people were rightly concerned about the futures of their families.”
“But now, here we are at the start of 2015, and our economy has grown faster than any other major advanced nation! More people are in work than ever before and the deficit has been halved. We have provided more security during people’s retirement and income tax has been cut for over 24 million hardworking people”.
“I urge my constituents not to believe Labour when they say that the Conservatives think that our economic difficulties are over. We all know this not to be true – tough decisions still need to be made.”
“But we have made real gains in the last 5 years, and now is NOT the time to be putting our economic recovery at risk. That is why I will be fighting hard to ensure we have a Conservative Government and we continue on the road to economic security and avoid Labours reckless plans for more tax, more borrowing and more spending .”
