Miriam Cates is the Conservative candidate and former MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge.
Over the last five weeks, like hundreds of other general election candidates across the United Kingdom, I’ve been knocking on doors and speaking to voters come rain or – belatedly – shine.
Election campaigns can be stressful and exhausting, and the uncertainty of the result weighs heavily both in terms of the national and personal outcomes. But it’s also hugely enjoyable and refreshing to have so many conversations with such a wide range of different people, each with their unique views and insights on the state of affairs.
I’ve been fortunate to have the support of dozens of volunteers who have travelled up from London and the South to help with the campaign.Many of them seem to have never been so far north before and they have all made the same two observations: that Penistone and Stocksbridge is a beautiful place, and that the people here are invariably friendly and keen to talk.
I wholeheartedly agree with both statements. To the west, much of the Penistone and Stocksbridge constituency falls within the boundaries of the stunning Peak District National Park. To the east, the rolling hills and sprawling farms of Penistone and its surrounds show Yorkshire at its very best. And yes, most people here are polite, friendly, and generous with their time and conversation.
This is certainly in stark contrast from London where it seems all but illegal to make eye contact with passers-by. When I was first elected and made my way to Westminster, I used to try and strike up conversations with other passengers on the Tube. I soon learned my lesson.
But while my constituents might be happy to talk, it doesn’t mean they’re happy about the state of politics. Nigel Farage is right – this is the immigration election. It doesn’t matter which town or village I visit, immigration is the issue that comes up on almost every doorstep. The disappointment – and sense of betrayal – that people feel is palpable.
Time and again, we voted to reduce immigration, but instead we’ve seen huge rises with record numbers over the last three years. Some voters mention the impact of this on public services and housing, but for most people, it is the sense of dismay – even grief – over the loss of a cohesive culture, common heritage, and national identity that may never be recovered.
It’s easy for liberal Westminster ‘Anywheres’ to make utilitarian arguments about how foreign workers are needed for GDP ‘growth’ and the labour market. But the seismic impact of mass immigration on the ‘Somewheres’ in areas like rural South Yorkshire – and indeed all across Europe – is putting unbearable strain on the post-war liberal democratic settlement.
I’m finding very few Conservative to Labour ‘switchers’. Voters understand that while the Conservatives may have accidentally allowed immigration levels to spiral, the Labour Party will likely do it on purpose. But lots of small ‘c’ conservatives are considering voting Reform, or not voting at all.
My job as the Conservative candidate in a marginal seat is to persuade people that their choice is to re-elect me – someone who has consistently represented their views on immigration – or vote Reform and end up with a Labour MP. I understand why people are tempted to vote in anger. My task is to convince them they may live to regret it.
But it’s not all small boats and Nigel Farage. Plenty of local issues come up too. Like all constituency MPs, I’ve done my best to persuade the local authorities to improve bus services and fix potholes, with various degrees of success. Some constituents fully understand that MPs don’t have control over these matters; others hold their MP fully responsible. One gentleman told me he regretted that he could no longer vote for me because of the state of the hedges.
Economics feature too, and I’ve had fascinating conversations about our balance of trade, interest rates, the national debt, and pension security. The British public has far more capacity to understand economics than politicians give them credit for. But we must do better at explaining.
During the pandemic, policies like furlough, business grants, and cash injections into the NHS were wildly popular. So were the billions of pounds spent subsidising household energy bills during the gas price crisis. But we failed to warn people of the inevitable consequences of such eye-watering levels of borrowing and spending, namely higher taxes, higher inflation, and higher interest rates.
The Government has done a very good job bringing stability so soon after such serious economic shocks. But many voters give us little to no credit for this because we haven’t effectively communicated the link between COVID policies and cost of living pressures.
At least canvassing is much more straightforward during an election period. Voters are more likely to have politics on their mind and it’s easy to cut to the chase, asking people who they intend to vote for. Sometimes you get unexpected answers, like the lady who told me with a twinkle in her eye that she’d be voting for Donald Trump. I couldn’t find a code for that on my canvassing app.
What’s so surprising is how many people have yet to decide how to cast their vote. I’m relatively new to this game (2019 was my first general election campaign), but last time most people seemed to make up their minds almost the moment the election was called. I’m not saying the polls are wrong, but I think there will be plenty of interesting data to keep the psephologists busy on July 5th.
When politics is your life it’s easy to forget that many people don’t give it a second thought. Of course, democracy is precious and important, and we need dedicated and able legislators in Parliament. But those who put their faith in politics or politicians to save us will be sorely disappointed. There is no perfect government and there never will be; politicians are as much the product of our times and culture as they are its leaders.
I prefer to put my faith in someone altogether more eternal, and as I make my way around the glorious hills and lanes of Penistone and Stocksbridge I am reminded of the reassuring words of one of my favourite Psalms. “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
In just over a week, those of us with conservative convictions may need all the help we can get.
The post Miriam Cates: Voters are unhappy with politics. But many are still making up their minds. appeared first on Conservative Home.
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Author: Miriam Cates MP
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