Our PM, Rishi Sunak, his take on the SMBN, and our public spat re. food banks and cost-of-living crisis

As news breaks that Conservative MP's have decided that Rishi is the right leader for the Country, I have to reflect and share my personal views, insight, and hopefully, some reassurance that we still have hope.

You are what you eat, and what you feed your brain is crucial to your wellbeing. Mental Health is triggered by our surroundings and as many in the UK will be feeling especially vulnerable right now, it is important that we do not feed this vulnerability, inducing fight or flight, when we could offer some reassurance and comfort, when it is needed more than ever.

When I met Rishi in the hustings in August I did not hold back in telling him that he was wrong to state that food bank users needed upskilling or incentivising to work, and that it was nurses, and our unsung heroes, shopkeepers, carers and public sector workers who carried us through the pandemic that had to turn to foodbanks in the current crisis. He couldn't believe it, he told me that I was wrong, but we each fought our corner and after his speech we talked, in great depth, about issues around childcare, barriers, and how enterprise is often the only way to make work work. He loved what the SMBN is about, he applauded members taking this route to support the economy instead of accepting that the economy would have to support them long-term. He applauded the fighting spirit of refusing to be trapped in the welfare system. He confirmed that childcare was very high on his agenda, and they were looking at ways to address the upfront cost, availability. barriers and flexible working.

He took the SMBN mag and promised to absorb the social impact review, which tackles barriers to homes, finance, decent employment, as well as modern slavery disguised as self-employment. He said that he wanted to support enterprise, and reward strong work ethic.

He also expressed his deep concern for online safety for our children, he is a father, and he is committed to tackling trafficking, abuse, and harmful internet content.

I gave him a really hard time, a strong letter, a few choice words, and we talked about the DWP approach and how that can be improved.

I do not know how Rishi will serve this Country as Prime Minister, but I do know that he some substance, and he has greater knowledge and understanding now than he did a few months ago. Plus, he did call Liz out on how interest rates and mortgages would be adversely affected by her tax cuts, so he obviously has some credibility there.

We can focus on all that is wrong, we can be toxic and fuel the fear, but that will not be helpful to millions of UK citizens who are vulnerable and scared right now. We can talk with our feet when the opportunity arises if he lets us down. But try to focus on what could go right, instead of what could go wrong. This is his chance to make history one way or another, and because of his own ego, I think he will try to do it right, for everybody.