Many Bristolians have written to me about the change of Prime Minister. 

Like you, I have been extremely worried about the chaos of the last few weeks and the impact on people’s lives across the country. The government has lurched from the disgraced, truth-averse Boris Johnson to incompetent trickle-down fundamentalist Truss. The plan to resurrect Boris Johnson’s failed leadership over the weekend was truly outrageous – he is still under investigation for lying to the House of Commons and shown no sign of taking responsibility for the consequences of his premiership. I am glad he’s gone.  

But we still don’t know what will come next. The Tories have crowned Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister without him saying a single word about how he would run the country and without anyone having the chance to vote. So, the chaos and uncertainty continue.  

This is the same Rishi Sunak who as Chancellor failed to grow the economy, failed to get a grip on inflation, and failed to help families with the Tory cost of living crisis. People are worried sick about how they will pay their rent or mortgage and whether their pension or pay packet will stretch to cover their bills. 

And let’s not forget, Rishi Sunak’s family avoided paying tax in this country before he put up taxes on everyone else.  

Rishi Sunak has no apparent plan to get us out of this mess. He has no idea what people are going through or need. And he has no mandate to govern.

By contrast, Keir Starmer understands what people are going through, does have a plan to fix the immediate crisis and for the longer term. He seeks a mandate to govern, along with my colleagues and I, the Labour government in waiting. The public must have a say on the future of the country. 

British people need a general election now.

After 12 years of Tory failure, only Labour can give Britain the fresh start it so desperately needs.