Four years on from the 2019 general election, Labour’s candidate for Chipping Barnet Dan Tomlinson says his party is ready to govern

A man stands in front of a hospital — Labour Candidate for Chipping Barnet Dan Tomlinson – (Credit – Dan for Chipping Barnet)

Four years ago this week the Conservative Party secured the trust of voters across the country, and here in Barnet. Yet, as we look around today, it is clear that the Conservatives have failed to deliver on the commitments they made to the British people.

In Chipping Barnet and beyond, the promises of a stronger NHS, a revitalised economy, and a brighter future now ring hollow. The Conservatives have presided over the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation, crashing the economy and sending mortgages and rents spiralling. Public services are at breaking point, police numbers have been slashed, and the Tories’ botched Brexit is holding businesses back. These are just some of the stark realities after 13 years of Conservative governments.

As Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Chipping Barnet I have spoken to over 1,000 local residents this year, many of whom voted Tory in 2019 and have resolved not to do so again. This in and of itself is a seismic decision for many lifelong Conservatives. It shows just how far the governing party has fallen.

But if Chipping Barnet is going to return its first ever Labour MP in 2024, we will need former Tory, Lib Dem and Green voters to put their trust in Labour – many for the very first time. Labour is taking nothing for granted but I hope that when people look closely at us next year they will see that, under the leadership of Keir Starmer, ours is a transformed political party.

Labour has changed for the better, emerging as a party that is once again in the service of working people. Keir has been steadfast in his commitment to rooting out the issues that once held us back. He has implemented a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism. He’s made economic growth our defining mission. And built a strong team so that Labour stands as a credible government-in-waiting, ready to steer our country towards a brighter future.

At the heart of our policies are the everyday lives of the people I meet in Barnet. We will hire 13,000 more police to take back our streets from criminals that get a free pass under the Tories. We are committed to getting the NHS back on its feet, investing in education, and building an economy where people are better off. We are determined to tackle the climate crisis with the urgency it demands, and to lowering energy bills at the same time. We will act with responsibility and integrity, turning the page on years of chaos.

As your Labour parliamentary candidate, I am dedicated to bringing about the change our community deserves. Building a fairer and more prosperous country is personal for me. I grew up in poverty and I was homeless for a time as a child. Along with a loving family, it was investment under the last Labour government that gave me the springboard I needed. I want the best start in life for every child, so everyone can achieve their dreams. Aspiration is a core part of my politics, and it drives Labour’s plans to break down the barriers to opportunity for every child.

The fourth anniversary of the 2019 General Election is not just a reminder of past promises unfulfilled — it is a call to action. A call to those who have been let down by over a decade of Conservative failings, to those who yearn for a government that listens, cares, and acts. It is a call to join us in unleashing the true potential of our nation.

The Labour Party is ready to lead that journey and, with an election on the horizon, I am ready to stand with you as we embark on this crucial mission to transform Chipping Barnet and Britain for the better.

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