I grew up in South Yorkshire in the heart of the then coal industry.
Fifty per cent of the local housing was owned and rented by the local council, including the home I lived in from the age of six to 18. Both sets of my grandparents rented their homes.
None of us were poor but we were careful.
My parents valued education for myself and my siblings. Money was found for school trips, including to London and Stratford on Avon. Teachers had the time and energy to organise them and they valued the broader cultural benefits they offered.
I was the first in my family to go to University, a common story among my peers.
Living ‘down south’ and working in London and overseas for most of my career has been rewarding and educational. I’ve been privileged not from birthright but from being given opportunities to grow without having to worry about how to survive day to day.
Reflecting on my life chances I wonder about the choices available to young people today and whether the current government believes that life chances are pre-determined and limited opportunities baked in.
Some current policies seem to me to be governed by a philosophy that you are on a limited path and have little agency to break away. Sloganizing like ‘every child matters,’ ‘no child left behind’, ‘levelling up’ are meaningless if they don’t address underlying issues such as poor air pollution and environmental degradation, ultra-processed foods and child obesity, mental health, substandard living accommodation, unaffordable housing, and overstretched state educational and NHS institutions.
We have examples of politicians in government who came from ‘humble’ origins but who don’t seem able to translate that into policies that genuinely give every child a chance.
We need more joined-up thinking of the sort that for a short period of time seemed to offer some grown-up approaches in Westminster and Whitehall.
I am fed up with hearing how hard various ministers are working and what money they are spending or just pouring away. I, and others, want to know what can and will be achieved.
In the run-up to a general election, politicians will chase votes. We have seen that in the recent political party conferences. Who is offering grown-up solutions? Who do we trust to break the pattern of austerity and start to fix things for ordinary people?
When will we have a government that does not decry the value of experts, who will work across boundaries listening to public health and educational expertise in the same room, as didn’t happen in the Covid-19 pandemic.
When will reports that shine a light on the health implications of pollution, poor diet and child obesity and poor housing be implemented?
When will expensive stupidity masquerading as policy finally stop.
A year ago many of us were worried about families who had to choose between heating and eating. I don’t see this situation being any better in the coming winter.
I want hope and optimism that a new government will invest in clean fuel, in green industry, in the arts and will care about the young, about families and the elderly in offering better value for all of us.
Cllr Sheena Matthews is the Labour ward member for Whitegates at Earley Town Council
