Terence Bunch - Astronomy, Music, Science, Internationalism, Peace, Electronics, the Arts, Politics and Society.

Dear Terence,

Boldly, confidently, authentically Labour.

That is what I promised, and that is how we have been governing over the past two weeks.

In our first week, we focused on the cost of living and giving people the breathing space they need.

We cut VAT on electricity bills for millions of households and capped bus fares at £2.

Last week, we started to take on the difficult issues that have been ignored by Whitehall for too long:

We set out fundamental changes to the education system. Young people who want to help reindustrialise Britain will now be valued every bit as much as those who choose university.

We committed to building a National Care Service. Carers and vulnerable people long ignored by Westminster will finally get the respect they deserve.

And we announced the biggest devolution of power to mayors in modern English history. Local leaders will now have new controls over transport, housing, skills and public services – and, for the very first time, a share of the income tax generated in their areas.

These are Labour values in action.

Cutting bills. Rebuilding industry. Backing young people. Ending rough sleeping. Fixing social care. Shifting power.

Westminster hasn’t been working for people across Britain for a long time.

But in a fortnight, we’ve begun to change that.

And we’re just getting started.

Andy Burnham
Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party

Dear Terence,

What a fortnight.

Our new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has really hit the ground running delivering on people’s priorities and, after an extraordinary campaign, Bev Craig was elected Mayor of Greater Manchester.

Across Greater Manchester and the country, Labour members volunteered, travelled, called voters, donated and kept going until the end.

Thank you. Bev’s victory belongs to our whole movement.

After a bumper set of elections so far this year, I suspect many of you will be happy not to see another polling day for a little while. I wanted to say a huge thank you for everything you’ve done to help secure Labour victories so we can deliver on our values and change lives.

Andy has taken immediate action on bills, bus fares, rough sleeping and support for pubs and social clubs. There have been major announcements on social care, shifting power out of Westminster and very close to my own heart as Education Secretary, a new broader approach to education equipping young people for the modern world.

We’re starting as we mean to go on. Boldly, confidently, authentically Labour.

That is the difference Labour members make possible. Bev’s victory is another reminder that hopeful, positive Labour politics can bring people together and win.

There is much more to do.

After a really busy first half of the year, I hope you can take a moment to catch your breath and feel proud of everything your membership has helped us achieve.

Thank you for everything you have done for our party.

Lucy Powell
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party