In her recent appearance on BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s show ‘The Hot Seat’, MP for Louth and Horncastle, Victoria Atkins, discussed the current Conservative leadership under Kemi Badenoch and its appeal to the voters who once supported Margaret Thatcher. Thatcher, who was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, was the UK’s first female prime minister. Atkins commented that Badenoch’s careful consideration of national predicaments would have been praised by Thatcher, encouraging Badenoch to exemplify her determination further.
Atkins acknowledged the resemblance of today’s problems, such as increased industrial action and the escalating cost of living, to the challenges faced in the 1970s. She accentuated Badenoch’s emphasis on ambition and aspiration, talking directly to those who voted for the Conservatives in 1979, with the belief in personal advancement through diligent effort. Addressing the Conservatives’ recent political adversity, Atkins conceded the difficulties their party is facing but underlined ongoing endeavours to reform and regain supporters.
Atkins shed light on her commitments to back local farming industries by planning a ‘food and farming crisis summit’, intending to alleviate community concerns and develop policies for government appraisal. She justified the prohibition on NHS doctor strikes on the grounds of its harmful consequences on public health. In addition to this, she committed to championing local businesses by proposing the abolition of business rates for small companies. Alongside these commitments, Atkins argued for greater police funding in Lincolnshire and conveyed her objections to the use of former military locations, such as RAF Woodhall, as accommodations for asylum seekers.
This article was adapted from the original report on the BBC website (source no longer linked following UK press complaint upheld).
