A leading national politician has accused the Conservative government of chaos and decline while kicking off the general election campaign near Reading.
Rachel Reeves, the Labour Shadow Chancellor, visited Pangbourne in the new Reading West & Mid Berkshire constituency to launch the general election campaign.
It is a seat that Labour is targeting as a battleground, with the Conservatives traditionally being strong in the old Reading West constituency, where MP Sir Alok Sharma is standing down.
In a speech to Labour MP candidate for the area Olivia Bailey and other party activists, Mrs Reeves said it would be crucial to win the area.
Mrs Reeves said: "The road to Downing Street goes through this constituency. This is a seat we have to win if we are to form the next Labour government and I know everyone here is determined to do that.
"To win the next general election, we have changed the Labour Party.
"Under Sir Keir Starmer's leadership we have changed our party so that we might have the chance to change our country for the better.
"And it is time, after 14 years of chaos and decline it is time for change right across our country.
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"We will spend this election reminding people of the damage that the Conservatives, including on the economy, and we will fight this election on the economy because of the damage they have done.
"First of all, austerity, which has left our society, our public services and our economy poorer. Then the chaos and the decline set in, Brexit without a plan, and then Liz Truss's mini budget which put pensions in peril and sent mortgage rates spiralling, we will never forget, we will never let people forget the damage they have done.
"And now Rishi Sunak promises a £46 billion unfunded commitment on national insurance, exactly the same as what Tories have done in the past.
"With me as chancellor, we will make sure that everything is always fully costed, and fully funded because that is the way to ensure our country has the stability in our economy that is needed.
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"Alongside that stability must come investment. Investment through a modern industrial strategy and a national wealth fund to invest in the jobs and the industries of the future.
"And reform. Reform of our planning system so that we can get Britain building again. Reform of our pension system so that we can ensure that small and start-up businesses can access finance, and reform of our skills system that young people and businesses have the skills that they need.
"Alongside our first steps on the economy comes our first steps on other crucial areas so that we can turn the page on 14 years of chaos and decline.
"And our national health service, clearing the backlogs by ensuring that non-doms pay their fair share of tax and we crack down on tax avoidance that is the difference that a Labour government will make.
"And instead of gimmicks like Rwanda we will set up a national border security command so that we can take back control of our borders and smash the criminal gangs who are exploiting some of the most vulnerable people in the world. That is the difference that a Labour government will make.
"And we will set up Great British Energy, a wholly publicly owned energy company to invest in the jobs of the future, to ensure our energy security exists once again, and to bring down energy bills whilst meeting our climate commitments, that is the difference that a Labour government will make.
"And we will crack down on anti-social behaviour which blights so many communities, right across our country, that is the difference that a Labour government will make.
"And we will ensure that there are 6,500 teachers in our state schools by ensuring that private schools pay business rates and VAT to give all of our children the opportunity that they need to thrive and succeed, that is the difference that our Labour government will make.
"But we can only do any of these things if we win the next general election, if Liv Bailey wins in Reading West & Mid Berkshire, and other candidates right across our country.
"It is time for change, it is time for a government on the side of ordinary working people, that government is a Labour government and with all of your help I know that government is coming soon!"
Mrs Reeves is the Labour MP for Leeds West. Liv Bailey faces Ross Mackinnon, the Conservative candidate, Helen Belcher OBE for the Liberal Democrats, councillor Carolyne Culver who is standing for the Greens and Reform's Kate Bosley.
The event in Pangbourne was also attended by Liz Terry (Labour, Coley), the leader of Reading Borough Council, Matt Rodda MP, the party's candidate for Reading Central, and Yuan Yang, candidate for Earley and Woodley.
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