My name is Lizzi Collinge. I am a community activist, mum, and County Councillor. I have been chosen to represent Labour at the next general election in Morecambe and Lunesdale and I hope to one day become your MP. 

My Priorities

WARM AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR ALL

Everyone deserves a warm, affordable, home. Too many people in our communities face cold winters and we all know that damp homes increase illness. I want everyone in Morecambe and Lunesdale to be warm and not have to worry about paying bills and Labour have a plan to deliver that. As well as halting increases to the energy price cap, a Labour Government would insulate 19m homes over the next decade. If the government had started that when Labour proposed it in 2021, 2m homes could have been insulated in the first year, saving typical occupants £1,000 a year. Our planning system is currently skewed towards developers’ profits not building homes fit for families and for the future. We do need new homes to be built; these need to be affordable, low carbon and with infrastructure built around it from day 1, not tacked on later.

REBUILDING THE NHS

As Deputy Chair of Lancashire Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee, I am all too aware of the decimation of our health and care services by the Conservative Government. Huge waiting lists are leaving people scared and in pain, getting a GP appointment feels like a lottery, and safety has been compromised too. The Government has not planned for a changing workforce and increased demand; staff are leaving in droves, unable to deliver the high-quality services that they want to. I know that only the Labour Party can get the NHS back up to speed.

ZERO CARBON BY 2030

The climate emergency is at a critical stage; we have less than a decade to turn climate change around and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. I know that we can not only combat climate change but in doing so also make improvements in people’s standard of living. Insulating homes and investing in low-carbon energy, including nuclear, would mean tackling climate change and reducing your bills whilst reducing our reliance on external energy supplies. Increasing public transport and active travel options would help people and the planet be healthier. A low carbon life should be possible and easy for everyone, not just those with time and money to spare.

A GREAT START FOR OUR KIDS

Supporting local schools to continue delivering great education, with wrap around support services for all families, particularly those with additional needs. Schools in our area have seen a real-terms cut in per-pupil funding over the last decade and staff are dealing with an increased need from pupils struggling with poverty, deprivation, mental health and the effects of the pandemic.

PERSON-CENTRED SOCIAL CARE

I used to care for my Grandad, so I know how difficult it can be getting the right care. Every person, young or old, who needs social care should be able to expect swift assessment of their individual needs and services that meet those needs. People should be able to have care provided for them either free or at an affordable rate, with enough quality, well-paid, social care staff to deliver their support.

ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL

Too many artificial barriers are put in people’s way, with a disabling environment the norm. I want every street and building to be fully accessible, whether that’s quiet times to avoid sensory overload or proper dropped kerbs to enable wheelchair users to travel freely. I raise accessibility and inclusive design at every opportunity.

A HEALTHY LIFE FOR EVERYONE

We have to get serious about preventing ill health and enabling everyone to live a healthy life. I believe in doing this by changing and improving the wider determinants of health – poverty, housing, access to good food, access to quality outdoor space and a mental-health friendly society.