Socialism, Net Zero, and Social Care. You might think this title is too broad; allow me to elaborate.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Wheatley Hall Road in Doncaster was bustling with industry. It was home to everything from nylon spinners and tractor manufacturers to foundries and lighting manufacturers. Additionally, many villages had their coal mines, contributing to a vibrant local economy. It was typical of many northern towns. Although much of this work was physically demanding, it offered good wages, with shift allowances and overtime enabling working families in Doncaster to enjoy many comforts. Sadly, all of this is gone now.
Some of my more left-leaning friends might disagree with what I am about to state, but I will say it anyway. As is often the case in life, when one side has the ‘upper hand,’ they often begin to exploit it. And when they do, things can quickly unravel. These industries were labour-intensive. If an employee stopped working for even a moment—putting down a spanner or dropping a wheelbarrow—the entire operation would come to a halt. The unions recognised this power and relentlessly demanded higher wages and more time off, often using health and safety not as something worthwhile to protect employees but more as a lever to down tools and make even more demands on the employer. As a side note: I am concerned we are beginning to see the signs of similar tactics with our train drivers, who only this week refused to board trains because of snow!
The outcome? Strikes became a common occurrence, often happening every few weeks. Costs began to rise sharply, and product quality suffered as a result. Ultimately, many businesses either shut down or moved operations overseas—yes, to China. If you ever want to understand the real minimum wage, just ask someone who worked in one of these industries. Many spent decades on unemployment or sickness benefits, losing all their economic value and self-respect.
While some industries managed to survive, they soon found themselves at odds with the Net Zero zealots. Not only are wages significantly lower in China, but so are utility costs. I’m currently pursuing a new business venture and looking for a mould to be manufactured. The cost here in the UK is £24,000, while in China it’s just £16,000. It’s no surprise that we are continually losing our manufacturing capabilities. “We must think of the climate,” they scream. It is true we do; however, now, in addition to the energy used to make the mould being emitted in China rather than here, we now have the shipping carbon footprint too. Bizarre!
Moving on, why does this matter for social care? I make it a point to visit some elderly neighbours whenever I can (though I wish I could do so more frequently). While the people I visit are relatively well-off, their families are often far away. Their children may have never stayed local, but if we had the industry we once had, there would have been a chance they might have. Would their children have taken on all the caregiving responsibilities? Probably not. However, they might have been available for errands, a little cleaning, or simply spending time with their parents. Unfortunately, when your nearest relative is 100 miles away, it complicates things immensely.
I don’t intend to guilt-trip anyone; I’m no saint myself. However, unless the government makes a genuine investment in places like Doncaster, we’ll see more young people leaving for opportunities in the south or abroad. This trend will likely lead to higher taxes for increased social care, with more elderly individuals only ever visited by paid home help, spending much time on their own, feeling isolated, unloved, and burdensome. I digress, but this is why I so vehemently disagree with the Assisted Suicide Bill.
Boris Johnson had a vision for levelling up. Regrettably, this government appears to be on a trajectory of levelling down—not just for Doncaster, but for the entire country. To effectively address social care, we need a long-term, 20-year strategy. We must build on Boris’s attempts to level up. The Investment Zones are a start. Although that is just the start, we need specialist colleges too. Industry needs local talent, not just tax breaks, if it is to invest. We then need the infrastructure and housing. And we must also stop crippling our employers with ridiculous Net Zero goals while China continues to build its coal-fired power stations. If we don’t, the initial ‘tax breaks’ that Investment Zones bring will never outweigh the continual day-to-day struggle that SMEs face.
If we want to really deal with social care, we must stop with socialism and the ideologies it brings. Will it happen? Not under this government. One thing is for sure: if the Conservatives are to be trusted nationally again, they need to listen to the MPs who have lived the ‘northern working-class life,’ not just read about it at university. The elites of all parties will not like this read. They rarely like listening to someone outside their bubble. However, if they don’t, I am afraid taxes will only go higher, and the elderly will continue to feel lonely and neglected while our younger generation finds futures elsewhere.
I am running for Doncaster Mayor in May. I know there is much that could be done locally that quite simply isn’t. I do not have all the answers, but I do have some; having lived in Doncaster all my life, having been a local businessman for 30 years, done my stint as a Member of Parliament, and most importantly, possessing an attitude of "I can, and I will," I will do my best to level up my hometown. I hope the people of Doncaster will help me do just that and Make Doncaster Great Again.
And who knows, maybe in 2029, we can Make Britain Great Again too.
Nick Fletcher
Conservative Mayoral Candidate for Doncaster Mayor
