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, MP.
Andrew describes his role - "Seeking out the silent voices. Standing up to bullies. Fighting for justice”
Liberal Democrats - Building a brighter future
It’s been nearly 6 months since the devastating Storm Goretti.
I’m still pressing Ministers to make sure we learn lessons and improve preparation, coordination and resilience.
And to especially review the current timetable for the January 2027 digital switchover.
I’ll hold a storm resilience summit this autumn. I’ll announce the date and details soon.
Stephen would be so proud of everyone who continue to make Golowan and Mazey Day so special.
Sorry I couldn’t join all those who came together today to celebrate his life and the amazing contribution he made and the impact he had on all of us.
Proper job Pard. 🥲😊
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
Transport, housing and post-16 education dominated much of my time during my all-too brief recent visit to the Isles of Scilly.
Arriving on the Scillonian ferry in the same swirling mist which had wreathed Cornwall and the Scillies all week, at least the smiles on most people’s faces relieved the funereal weather.
The new Menawethan freight ship was in Penzance, being prepared for its maiden voyage to St Mary’s the following day. Steamship Co. CEO, Stuart Reid, and colleagues could barely contain their pleasure and excitement when they met me on the quay. Plans were coming together well, I was told. The new Passenger vessel – Scillonian IV – will arrive in time to start service next year.
The cost and resilience of transport to the islands remains a hotly debated and disputed matter, nevertheless. With strong feelings expressed. I held a parliamentary debate on this and the equally challenging problems of inter-island transport a couple of months ago and am following up with questions to Transport Ministers.
As well as meetings with Councillors, Duchy Steward, hospitality industry representatives, post-16 campaigners and a long and full street surgery outside the closed Lloyds Bank in Hughtown, I also visited the currently under construction 10 new homes for islanders by the Duchy on Duchy land at the Telegraph. Pictured in this video with Duchy Steward, Diane Mompoloki and Spencer Quick of Quicks Construction of Canonstown. These rental homes will be protected for permanent occupancy, have a lower than market rent and very high energy efficiency (EPC A).
The work I’m doing to improve the offer for post-16 students, with Council backing, is making progress.
As well as these matters, communications (mail, telecoms etc), housing justice, climate change, South West Water services, wildlife protection and international conflict (especially concern about Gaza) and other matters were raised with me while I was there.
Thank you to everyone who met me. I’m sorry I couldn’t meet everyone who wanted to. I will be back again in a few months, and can be contacted by email, phone or post and i do have online casework surgery slots.
01736 339526
andrew.george.mp@parliament.uk
PO Box 371, Penzance, TR18 9GN
I viewed the Brexit referendum as a test of UK self-confidence. In the event that our choice demonstrated a lack of confidence in ourselves. That we weren’t leaders in Europe, but rule-takers and a nation that felt we were being taken advantage of.
That’s not to say that I believed there could be NO benefits for the UK from leaving the EU. For example, I acknowledged there was “potential” the UK could indeed “take back control” of the management of its fish stock and better protect our marine environment. However, even that hasn’t really materialised. Indeed, it’s worse. Now we’re outside the rooms where decisions are made and have less influence.
However, I’ve looked hard for benefits. Clearly, all authoritative sources agree that the UK economy has suffered; it is 6-8% smaller than it would have been. Brexit has been a drag on UK trade and growth. It’s pushed up food prices, cut investment and therefore reduced job opportunities, especially for younger people, slowed wage growth, and made key markets, including for our fish exporters, harder to reach with significantly more red tape and regulation to traverse. All of this was spelled out at the time of the referendum, but it was spelled out by authoritative figures, and Brexit campaigners derided “experts” at the time.
In looking for positives, I acknowledge we have got rid of the EU passport and can proudly use our new blue passports. There’s also more jingoism, many more Union Jacks adorning all manner of government press conferences and ministerial photo opportunities. It’s also stimulated “small boats” migration. Which ironically is something those who campaigned for Brexit now complain most bitterly about!
Along with others, I successfully campaigned in the 1990s for Cornwall and Scilly to receive the highest level of EU aid, as we were amongst the poorest regions in the EU, and consistently ignored by Westminster. By 2000, we succeeded and were eligible for what was then known as Objective 1 funding and which resulted in key investments, including the Cornwall University and at Falmouth harbour. Brexit brought decades of support for Cornwall to a close. Promises by both the Conservatives and Labour that we’d receive the equivalent have proven to be hollow. We’re left cut adrift from those crucial investment funds, even though our relative poverty remains.
Though I respect that Brexit was a decision taken with the heart rather than the head, I still cannot see how any of the promised benefits have materialised. It’s left us poorer and looking much weaker and less influential in the world.
I don’t blame those who voted to leave. I respect their choice, their hopes and their desires. But I do blame those who led the Brexit campaign. Their lies, dog-whistling and divisive campaign techniques and their exploitation of a fear narrative have damaged the UK, from which it will take decades to recover, if indeed we ever do.
If the Burnham coronation goes to plan, he’ll have to use his brief honeymoon well. Because he won’t get long…
I’ve previously warned about the consequences of the feverish, rolling-news environment in which the upper tier of politics is managed. Prime Ministerial shelf-life is speculated about like premiership football managers, and seems to begin as soon as they take office. Though I don’t share his politics, and have strongly disagreed with many of his and his Chancellor’s policy choices, I respect Keir Starmer’s integrity when compared with his predecessors over the past decade.
He has generally called the international challenges right and handled his international duties with skill, including his careful child-minding of the UK’s relationship with the US President.
I know it can be a brutal business, but he deserved better treatment from his fellow Labour parliamentarians. I suspect history will be kinder to him than they have been.