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JRF responds to General Election 2019

Claire Ainsley, Executive Director of the independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation said:

“This is a historic result. Low-income voters have made clear they want to see change. With trust in politicians at a low ebb, Boris Johnson’s government must deliver on their promises for places and people held back from opportunity, and for families locked in poverty.

“With a strong majority, he can afford to be much more ambitious about the domestic reform needed to drive the transformational change these places are crying out for. It is not right that so many people are struggling to stay afloat, with rising costs and flatlining incomes. Low-income voters want action on jobs, the cost of living, and levelling up the economy.

“If people cannot feel a positive change in their communities and households soon then trust in politicians, and the prospects for our country, will worsen. The Government must work quickly to reassure those struggling that they will act to make their lives better.”

On the result for Labour:

“This is a painful wake-up call for Labour. But the result is more than Corbyn and Brexit – Labour’s decline amongst working-class began two decades ago.

“After four successive defeats, it needs to look deeply at itself and understand the long-term forces that has dislocated low-income voters and former industrial towns from the party.

“Until Labour shows it understands the concerns and values of voters in the north and midlands again, and that is has a credible plan for creating prosperity, improving living standards and unlocking opportunity, it will find itself in the political wilderness.”