Your voice, your choice: Does growth matter?

Many political parties talked about economic growth during the election campaign.

Economic growth is often measured by a country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

And for some, more growth is a positive thing.

But Dr Jon Mulberg, who lives in Suffolk, doesn’t necessarily think so. He contacted the BBC as part of the Your Voice, Your Vote campaign and asked:

“Most political parties talk constantly about economic growth, but what exactly do they want to grow?

“What do you think we need more of that we don’t have now, given that there is no long-term relationship between jobs and GDP?”

We asked the candidates for the next MP position in South Suffolk for their opinion.

Tom Bartleet, Liberal Democrats

Mr Bartleet said growth depended on people wanting to live and work here.

“As this is a predominantly rural constituency and living standards and public services have been so severely impacted, it is vital that we improve business opportunities, community wellbeing and the health of our people,” he said.

“We would give local authorities the powers they need to restore bus routes and add new ones where there is local need.”

“We would set up a strategic small practice fund to support GP practices in rural areas and repair the broken NHS dental contract.

“Growth is all of these things. One leads to the other and benefits the other.”

Emma Bishton, Labour

Emma Bishton says growth in South Suffolk means “significant investment in public services, the private sector and agriculture, which together will create at least 4,000 secure new jobs here over the next five years.”

“We will repair the potholes on our roads across the constituency and improve bus services in the long term.

“In addition, local businesses will have better access to superfast internet as part of plans to accelerate broadband and 5G rollout.”

She added: “All of these plans are fully cost-effective and come with a guarantee that there will be no increase in income tax, social security or VAT.”

James Cartlidge, Conservative

James Cartlidge said that for a growing economy we need “stability so that businesses and consumers have the confidence to invest”.

“That’s why it’s such good news that inflation is within the target range at 2%.”

He added: “I believe MPs can play a key role in encouraging investment. For example, when the former Philips Avent plant in Glemsford closed, I worked with the national government to attract the largest single investment in the borough’s history.

“I fought hard to secure tens of millions in funding for a new school building at Ormiston Sudbury Academy and will continue to champion investment in education if re-elected.”

Beverley England, Reform Great Britain

Beverly England said the current state of infrastructure is “catastrophic” and she will advocate for road repairs.

It will ensure that free parking is maintained “near shopping areas, as local retailers are already struggling with rents, business tax and lower customer footfall due to the cost of living crisis.”

Ms England said she was against solar farms on agricultural land. “I will campaign against all of this with all my might – we need food security and high quality agricultural land is not the right place for solar when brownfields/industrial parks are more suitable areas.”

She said she was against plans to build miles of electricity pylons across Suffolk and would like to see the project realised off the coast.

Jessie Carter is also running for the Greens in South Suffolk.

The BBC attempted to contact the candidate but received no response.

Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay told the BBC last month that relying on gross domestic product (GDP) to assess the economic situation was a “blunt instrument”.

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