You cannot trust Labour
You cannot trust Labour is the statement ringing around the country and echoed by the Independent Newcastle candidate Yvonne Ridley.
Renowned British journalist, author and politician Yvonne Ridley has announced she intends to stand as an independent candidate in Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West in the upcoming general election.
In a new series – In Conversation With Yvonne Ridley: Confessions of a Candidate – Ridley shares her first-hand experiences, challenges and insights on what it takes to launch a successful campaign outside the traditional party system.
Episode 2 – coming live tonight Friday 31st May 2024 – Follow & subscribe to get notified
Independent Newcastle candidate Yvonne Ridley
While Sir Keir Starmer’s supporters try to convince us that he is the most working-class politician Labour has ever had, his critics argue he is simply a ‘tory in a red tie.’ There doesn’t seem to be much difference between the two parties or their leaders and experts say the fact that the two main parties are so similar, there will likely be a low turnout.
Ridley’s take that ‘ Labour can’t be trusted ‘ will be widely felt by many Brits. Sir Keir Starmer has rolled back on many key policies that would have provided him and his party a clearer identity. It could have served as a clear dividing line between Labour and Conservatives. Key policies such as ditching of charitable status for private schools and scrapping tuition fees have been ditched and its not unfair to say many aren’t sure what this Labour Party stands for.
‘You can’t trust Labour, and you can’t trust the Tories’
During her Candid Confessions, Ridley discusses how at PMQs the similarities between Labour and Conservatives are clear, she compares the weekly debates to George Orwell’s Animal Farm.
‘In George Orwell’s book, Animal Farm, he was saying from man to pig, from pig to man, you can’t tell the difference, they blend in one to another … its the same with the Tories and Labour.
‘They’ve all got their snouts in the same trough … vote Labour you get Tory, vote Tory and you get Labour … there’s no difference.’
With the two main parties blurring their lines, with no distinctive features, it’s time to turn to independent candidates.
Voting for an independent is the only answer
The general election takes place on 4 July. You must have Photo ID to vote.