Janice R. Andrews
In a startling turn of events, the political elite has abandoned Blackpool, a once-vibrant coastal town, leaving its citizens feeling let down and deceived.
A by-election in the Blackpool South, Lancashire, district has been called following the resignation of former Tory MP Scott Benton, who was involved in a scandalous sting operation. This news poses a threat to further damage Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s already troubled government.
Once a bastion of Brexit support, Blackpool South is currently suffering from neglect and deprivation. Up until now, governments have made empty promises about “levelling up,” leaving the region behind and showing no signs of the much needed improvements.
The predicament of Blackpool South brings to light the pervasive problems with regional inequality in the United Kingdom. This is a primarily white area, yet the high levels of hardship challenge the myth of ‘white privilege’ that identity politics routinely promotes.
The main political parties in Blackpool, Labour and Conservative, have not responded to the worries of the locals. Little comfort can be found in Reform UK‘s rise, as questions remain about how well it will be able to address the issues that impoverished communities like Blackpool face.
Blackpool South’s status as a symbol of disregard highlights the critical need for a renewed emphasis on meeting the needs of communities in the UK that are left behind. Blackpool residents deserve better, and their opinions can no longer be disregarded.
