Wiltshire MP’s comments on ‘normal’ families out of touch with public

Devizes MP, Danny Kruger is out of touch with most of his Constituents.

Last week, at a meeting for the right-wing of the Conservative Party, which he attended, Danny Kruger made a speech in which he said: “The truth is that the normative family – held together by marriage, by mother and father sticking together for the sake of the children and the sake of their own parents and for the sake of themselves – this is the only possible basis for a safe and successful society.”

We do not agree with his premise. Children thrive in loving families, whether “normative” or not, and not in families where there are constant battles and stress caused by not having enough money to live on.

Danny, by his statements shows that he does not understand the realities of life experienced by many of his constituents right now!

We would further argue that a “safe and successful society” can only be created when there is investment in the whole population, and investment in our infrastructure.

And before anybody replies, “the country has not got enough money,” it is the Conservatives who have caused the sorry state our country is in now by mismanagement.

When the Cameron Government chose austerity, we all suffered, there was less Government investment in our public services, fewer police, fewer nurses. Austerity was a political choice! Weakened public services were then overwhelmed by the Covid pandemic.

Since then, things have got worse, Liz Truss, in her short time wreaked havoc with the economy, causing peoples mortgages to shoot up.

In addition, we are now seeing the results of Johnson’s “Oven -ready” Brexit deal, which is having a negative effect on our economy, whilst companies struggle to find ways to trade with Europe, without the red tape and increased costs.

Sue Buxton

Devizes Constituency Labour Party

Bears auctioned to aid our Gurkha veterans

In 2022 The Gurkha Welfare Trust’s supporters took to their sewing kits, knitting needles and crochet yarn to create beautifully dressed teddy bears for the Trust’s inaugural Teddy Bear Auction. The auction raised over £4,000 to support the Gurkha veterans and their communities in rural Nepal.

After huge demand, the GWT is launching their second auction this year – starting on Monday 22nd May.

It has been very difficult in the last few years to raise money for our work in Nepal. We are always looking for new ways to raise funds, and at the same time encourage our supporters to have a bit of fun! We are so grateful to the amazing people who have decorated these adorable bears and I am sure that there will be some friendly competition when the bidding starts!

There are a variety of bears on offer, each meticulously decorated, from female bears in beautiful saris to bears in traditional Nepali dress with matching Topi hat.

Many of the bears wear Gurkha uniforms and, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first Everest ascent, we have Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary bears!

There are 29 bears up for auction in total and you can bid until Monday May 29 at jumblebee.co.uk/GWTteddyauction23.

All the money raised will help support Gurkha veterans, families, and communities in Nepal.

Helen Souch

Community Fundraising Officer

Gurkha Welfare Trust