These coming days offer a chance for reflection as we approach Remembrance Sunday. As we remember those who served and gave their lives in conflicts past, I think also of the conflicts we face today.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shown us the horrors of war; innocent people whose lives became unrecognisable overnight, children who have become all too familiar with the sounds of air raid sirens and families who have been split as they desperately try and flee from their homes.

I've seen first-hand how the people of Warwickshire have come together to support each other and causes that matter to us during times of change, difficulty or crisis.

When Ukraine was first invaded, local residents rallied round to raise funds for the people of Ukraine and opened their homes to those fleeing the war.

As the cost-of-living crisis affects so many across the constituency, I've seen first-hand the food banks which have supported local families during this time.

I never need reminding, but this community spirit reaffirms why I am so proud to represent the people of Warwick and Leamington.

As we continue to face the cost-of-living crisis, the Government spirals in its own disastrous crisis, only deepening the issues the nation is dealing with.

In the past three months, there have been three prime ministers and in the past five months, there have been four chancellors and five secretaries of state for education.

It is complete and utter chaos and the last thing the country needs as families and businesses are struggling to make ends meet.

Elsewhere, schools and educators want direction and stability from the Department for Education but they're not getting it. All this after 12 years of Conservatives in power.

A change is needed. As has been demonstrated in the past few months, this is not a change that can be brought about by a new Conservative prime minister, chancellor, or another cabinet reshuffle: this is a change that can only be brought about by a general election and a party winning a public mandate.

The country can simply not afford any more years of this economic and political chaos - it's costing us all too dearly.

There is too much energy going into the Conservatives preserving their ever-feeble grip on power and not enough on providing the social and economic security the people need.

In the next few weeks, we will have another budget - this time to pay for the kamikaze budget of Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng that has left a massive £40 billion black hole in the public finance.

You bet they will raise taxes on all of us - regressive taxes - where those on the lowest incomes pay disproportionately more to pay for this.

They will cut public services such as social support, real-terms support for the NHS, for our schools and for our local authorities.

Meanwhile, our teachers will see more children coming into school hungry as families cannot afford to feed themselves and in our NHS as people face huge waiting times and lists for GP appointments, referrals and surgeries.

Last weekend, I spoke with a constituent who shared her understandable concern over the four-year wait to get her children referred to children and young people's mental health services (CAMHS).

Four years to get your child the mental health support they need is four years too long. This is not acceptable.

This is why at least 63 per cent of the public want a General Election.

The country, now more than ever, must come first.

(Header image via parliament.uk)

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