Andrew George
Promoting the
Politics of Courage
I’m running a positive campaign to restore decency and honesty to our politics. To build a brighter future. To combat those who want us to become more inward-looking, backward-looking, more self-absorbed. I’ll build a campaign for an outward-looking, forward-looking and compassionate country.
We’ve been misled by a privileged clique who’ve irresponsibly played on fears to stoke prejudice. We must get beyond the Brexit chaos they’ve dragged our country into. We must restore the things that matter for the sake of our children’s future – our NHS, our schools and the very sustainability of our planet.
Come and join a growing campaign team. We’re determined to win this seat back this time, to make the difference, to build a brighter future.
Many people say “you politicians are all the same”. That statement has never been more untrue. The choice here is stark:
Andrew George - Standing up for Cornwall
National campaigner, local campaigner, former MP.
Andrew describes his role - "Seeking out the silent voices. Standing up to bullies. Fighting for justice”
Liberal Democrats - Building a brighter future
It might seem controversial to some, but I believe the future for the Liberal Democrats lies in prioritising the country over the party.
The temptation to chase populism and be swayed by PR experts is strong and has clearly influenced the larger parties.
The Liberal Democrats now have a chance to lead, stand by our values, and inspire hope. Our constitution dedicates us to creating a society where no one is constrained by poverty, ignorance, or conformity.
We must face down the rise of the far-right. If we don’t, I fear no one else will.
Labour has thrived by rebranding as the “Not-the-Conservative-Party” party, focusing on pragmatic, value-free strategies. This has led to electoral success, proving that parties often win not for their manifestos but because they are viewed as the lesser evil.
While Labour shows signs of improvement, their anxiety over red wall seats has led them to outdo the Tories on asylum policy, endorsing far-right narratives. Their decision to cut the winter fuel allowance for thousands of older people is disappointing.
The Liberal Democrats must occupy a space which champions our values – to combat widening inequality; to promote the politics of kindness, not suspicion and judgmentalism; to be determined to save and rebuild our NHS and public services; to promote social justice and a more equal society; to combat the climate emergency. Otherwise we will not just let ourselves down but fail our country.
As we celebrate our parliamentary successes, we must stay true to our values. Instead of following others with brand conformity and market-tested policies, we should remain bold and confident.
There will be those at our party conference who will understandably seek to use the occasion to inflate the self-reinforcing bubble that our priorities should be to promote electoral reform and to reverse Brexit. Though commendable objectives, they may underline a perception of political irrelevance.
We have a great opportunity ahead of us if we’re bold and stand up for our values.
29 CommentsComment on Facebook
Country before party absolutely. So many people feel disillusioned under our current system - and no wonder: it creates undemocratic safe seats and has gifted Labour a huge majority on just 1/3rd of the vote. A fair, representative, and accountable voting system is crucial for unlocking the change people actually want. It is empowering, so would stem disillusionment and curb the far-right. It would rebuild trust between the public and politicians. A fair democracy is closely attuned to our values and is more relevant than ever.
Neither a fair voting system nor rejoining the European Union are irrelevancies- both are vital to the country’s future and to re-engage the public.
I think putting Country before party involves rejoining the Single Market at the very least. There is a serious public finance deficit affecting almost every conceivable area of State provision and activity. The uplift in trade and economic outputs resulting from re-entry is the most powerful single lever that a Chancellor could pull to deliver the growth that the whole Reeves Recovery thesis is based on. It's also a Libdem manifesto commitment.
The Darzi report - a magnificent description of just how badly the Conservatives managed our NHS and Care services - worst in its 77-year history. But it's less clear how we put right this mess.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting told the House today, the primary cause was "a decade of underinvestment". But he didn't say where he would find the money to reinvest.
He agreed to meet the Liberal Democrats and acknowledged our constructive approach. I pressed him on the need for reinvestment and concerted workforce planning. Both matters were largely ignored by the Conservatives.
14 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you for these posts updating what you do and hearing something from your workplace. Much appreciated
Getting the government to excuse the ongoing millions in PFI interest might be a start. In Cornwall alone...Bodmin and Longreach were constructed 2002 and 2003 using the scheme (which keeps costs off the government's books and was widely used for public buildings during Labour's last incumbency even though using PFI is far more expensive). The CFT pays millions each year until the ever-increasing debt is paid off - currently some time away.
Thank you Andrew, back in the house championing for our NHS, as you did so previously. Just hope the remaining members of the parliamentry party adopt a far more critical and cerebral assessment of whatever the reform agenda is going to be coming down the line for the NHS and not make the mistakes of supporting an agenda as they did in 2010 vis-a-vis Lansley. You and John Pugh were right, sadly the rest got it wrong.
Housing Minister agrees to “give Cornwall the tools” to combat Housing Emergency -
I was honoured to lead a Commons debate on housing need in Cornwall and Scilly
Government Housing Minister, Matthew Pennycook, responded positively to a range of proposals I advanced in a Commons debate this week.
The Minister agreed the Government should “give local authorities the tools to shape development”, and “to get a grip on excessive concentrations of second homes and short-term lets”. He further announced his “officials are looking to convene a working group with other departments…to ensure the government can best support the residents on the Isles of Scilly”. And he was actively looking at measures “to better support an increase in affordable housing in rural areas”.
I’m pleased the Minister accepts that extreme housing problems call for bold measures. I furnished him with a dossier of material before the debate. So, he understood that, under the Conservatives, more than £500million of taxpayers' money was granted to holiday homeowners – through various tax loopholes and grants – in Cornwall. He was receptive and agrees that the priority should be to invest in affordable homes for locals.
I highlighted the risks to places like Cornwall if the government remains determined to stick with its obsession with ambitious housebuilding targets. Cornwall has been one of the fastest growing places in the United Kingdom - nearly trebled its housing stock in the last 60 years – yet the housing problems of locals have got significantly worse. I urged him to give Cornwall devolved power to direct planning policy to meet need rather than developers’ greed. Though he was not as receptive on this point as on the other 6 issues raised, I hope he retains an open mind and considers that large development targets benefit property developers and land value speculators. Not desperate local families in need. So, we have a battle ahead.
The Minister generously praised the ”forceful but thoughtful case“ I made, and my “considerable experience and expertise when it comes to housing policy and practice”.
The Minister concluded saying "there is clearly a fierce clarity of purpose on both sides of the House in respect of meeting housing need across the county, and I assure all members present that the Government are resolved to do what is necessary to ensure that that can happen.”
This was a success. It was very good to see all Cornwall’s MPs taking a close interest and enthusiasm. Working together, there’s much to do.
🔗 to the broadcast video link: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/cc8fbaa6-ac8e-467e-95c2-b14769057973?in=20:50:50
🔗 for the Hansard report: hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2024-09-09/debates/A122F646-8EBA-4F94-8FEE-41C80AB00936/HousingCorn...
28 CommentsComment on Facebook
Well done. Has empty or unused housing in Cornwall been considered as another option?
Thankyou Andrew George . I know that you are and always have been a passionate supporter of social housing.
If planning powers were to be devolved, would this mean Cornwall Council will have more of a say?
Minister agrees to work with Cornish MPs to restore our NHS
This afternoon I led a delegation of fellow Cornish MPs to meet Health Minister, Karin Smyth, to address the crisis we inherited from the previous government in Cornwall’s critically important health and care services.
This will be an ongoing conversation with the Minister; meeting regularly to review progress. Our initial priorities will include:
🔸 Secure a fair funding allocation for Cornwall.
🔸 Address the systemic issues causing prolonged ambulance queues and avoidable death in our emergency services.
🔸 Ensure delivery of the Women and Children’s unit at Treliske.
🔸 Resolve the severe under-resourcing of Cornwall's mental health services.
🔸 Combat the dentistry desert in Cornwall, especially for children.
We're beginning to agree a clear set of targets for the government and Cornwall’s health and care services, with achievable goals for this Parliament.
Cornwall’s NHS and care system is in its worst crisis in its 77 year history. Patients are dying unnecessarily in a gridlocked emergency system. The Urgent Treatment Centre at West Cornwall Hospital is closed at night. Severe shortages exist in primary, community, and mental health services, and dental care is almost non-existent, especially for children. This situation is unsustainable.
I'm delighted all of Cornwall's MPs are working well together and that the Minister is keen to support our efforts. I'm committed to work with others to turn things around, support frontline staff, and restore our NHS and care services. It's assuring the Minister has agreed to collaborate with us to do this. It won't be easy. Our NHS and care services were left in a dire state and with no plausible work done or workforce plan in place to turn things around.
17 CommentsComment on Facebook
As an NHS mental health worker I am happy to hear this. I am cautiously optimistic now you are back in parliament
Pharmacies have not been funded since June 20. Pharmacists are subsiding medication for people. 10 a week are closing, the national body is warning of pharmacy deserts in rural locations.
Sorry Andrew, the minister may eve mean what she says but until the mess which is adult care is sorted out the NHS is not going to improve significantly. That requires serious work and serious money. This will require raising tax in a way that Labour hasn’t the guts to do. It’s time to look at new taxes like bringing domestic property within the scope of capital gains tax but who dare do that? It would have two real benefits: 1. It would end the end of life lottery where all your assets are taken by the state to pay for social care; 2. It would remove the tax advantage which makes housing an investment target rather than providing homes for people. I think you might welcome that in Cornwall…
I am committed to keeping up the pressure on the Government after the failed attempt to block the withdrawal of the winter fuel allowance from millions of pensioners, including thousands in Cornwall.
The Liberal Democrats tabled a motion to prevent the removal of payments worth up to £300 from all but the poorest pensioners. Despite this effort, 348 Labour MPs backed the government, while only 228 supported the opposition.
Around 10 million pensioners are set to lose the allowance. While the government must address the public finance deficit left by the previous Conservative government, it should focus on reversing inequality, not extending it.
If the PM genuinely wishes to ensure “those with the broadest shoulders bear the greatest burden,” he could do so without hitting millions of struggling pensioners. The cut will leave thousands in Cornwall in significant fuel poverty. If the government targeted pensioners in the highest tax band or those living in higher council tax bands, we might have supported them. However, there are many other ways to address this issue without impacting low-income households.
According to Age UK, the government’s plan to cut the payments is likely to affect more than 122,000 pensioners in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, including 20,621 in the St Ives constituency.
26 CommentsComment on Facebook
Will you be not claiming your MP’s heating allowance? How can this be justified?
Energy company nationalisation or big taxes on their profits would make a big difference. I do not agree with what Labour has done on this (forms of austerity always have consequnces) but better off pensioners should not get it. The tax and benefits system needs major reform.
Thank you, Andrew. I was glad but not surprised to see your name on the list of MPs who voted against the cut. It is estimated that 800,000 pensioners are eligible for pension credit but haven’t claimed for various reasons and won’t because of the reported difficulty of the process. Hopefully they will be able to access help. If their applications are successful and 800,000 receive the credit and the fuel allowance, I wonder how much will be left, after the added cost of admin, of the saving Starmer & Reeves claim is going to plug the mythical “black hole” in the economy.
Common Platform for Cornwall
