News

These two headlines show how quickly it took Theresa May to abandon her promises

Picture:
Picture:
(Left) The Daily Telegraph (Right) The Independent

These two headlines show how quickly it took Theresa May to abandon her promises.

She stood on the steps of Downing Street, and addressed the nation as prime minister just 15 weeks ago.]

In her short speech, May outlined the problems facing many in Britain, and went on to promise the following.

But the mission to make Britain a country that works for everyone means more than fighting these injustices. If you’re from an ordinary working class family, life is much harder than many people in Westminster realise...

If you’re one of those families, if you’re just managing, I want to address you directly.

I know you’re working around the clock, I know you’re doing your best, and I know that sometimes life can be a struggle. The government I lead will be driven not by the interests of the privileged few, but by yours.

The theme from the four and a half minute speech was a promise to be a prime minister for everyone not just the rich - an unsubtle jibe at the Etonian who had just walked off the stage.

Picture: Picture: i

Picture:Picture: The Daily Mail

Picture: Picture: The Daily Telegraph

Picture: Picture: The Sun

Less than four months down the line, May's government has announced plans that reports claim will make the poorest families £1,000 worse off every year.

Picture: Picture: The Independent

The stark contrast was identified by Will Davies, a senior lecturer in politics at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Having previously promised not to continue austerity, the work and pensions secretary Damien Green has said the government 'will not reverse' any cuts planned before May took office in July.

The cuts to in-work benefits, taking £3.4 billion from the Universal Credit, is said to equal roughly £1000 per year from three million families on benefits by 2022.

Green has denied that the cuts will make working families worse off, and said they would receive more money under the new system.

The minister did not rule out a change to the policy for the Autumn Statement.

'A country that works for everyone' is fast becoming the new 'We're all in this together'.

More: Having periods 'makes women smarter'

More: Donald Trump is encouraging his supporters to fill out two voting ballots​

The Conversation (0)
x