Will Labour Deliver for Coastal Communities? New Costal Group Pushes for Action

South East Cornwall’s MP Joins Labour’s Fight for Coastal Investment

Anna Gelderd, Labour MP for South East Cornwall, has joined a newly formed group of Labour MPs dedicated to championing coastal communities in Parliament. The Labour Coastal Group, chaired by Polly Billington MP, is pushing the government to act on long-standing issues affecting coastal towns, from struggling public services to economic stagnation.

A Stronger Voice for South East Cornwall

Anna said she was joining the group to ensure that communities like South East Cornwall are no longer overlooked. She highlighted the urgent need for investment in public services and infrastructure, saying:

“I’m proud to represent South East Cornwall, a beautiful rural and coastal constituency. For far too long, people here and across the South West have felt forgotten, left behind by a Conservative government that slashed funding and left our communities struggling.

“With Labour’s strong presence in coastal seats and this new group of dedicated MPs, we will ensure our communities finally have a strong voice in Westminster, fighting for improvements to the issues that matter to them.”

Labour now has 66 MPs representing coastal areas, many of whom won seats from the Conservatives in the 2024 general election. With strong representation across the South West, the group is expected to play a key role in shaping government decisions that affect coastal communities.

The Challenges Facing Coastal Areas

After 14 years of Conservative rule, many coastal areas continue to suffer from high levels of deprivation, as well as lower-than-average health and education outcomes. The group argues that these factors, combined with deteriorating public services, were key reasons why voters turned away from the Conservatives in 2024.

Their priority now is ensuring the government delivers on its promises, particularly in areas such as:

• Fixing the NHS crisis
• Improving public transport
• Tackling crime and antisocial behaviour
• Boosting local economies and putting more money in people’s pockets

Pushing Back Against Health Insurance Proposals

The group has also expressed concern over proposals suggested by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, including a system that would require people to pay for health insurance to access NHS services. They argue such policies would hit coastal communities particularly hard, given existing health inequalities.

Holding the Government to Account

The Labour Coastal Group plans to meet regularly with government ministers to ensure the concerns of coastal communities remain a priority. Chair of the group, Polly Billington, said the next few years will be crucial in proving that Labour can deliver on its promises:

“Voters in seats like mine rejected the Conservatives last year because Labour promised renewal, after fourteen years of Tory indifference to the unique challenges facing coastal towns. Now that we’re in government we’ve got to prove to people that we can deliver on key issues like the NHS, tackling crime, and building a stronger economy.

“That is why I am pleased to be chairing this new coastal grouping of Labour MPs, who will make sure that the voices of coastal areas across the country have their voices heard in government.”

With a strong Labour presence in coastal seats, the group’s influence in Westminster is expected to grow. The key question now is whether the new government can deliver real change for communities that have long felt left behind.