SVP leader writes to Prime Minister Johnson

Helen O'Shea

On Friday 13th December, Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party won the General Election with a substantial majority. The SVP's National President, Helen O'Shea immediately sent the Prime Minister the following letter calling on him to help those on the margins of society and make Britain a fairer place:

Dear Prime Minister

I am the National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), a charity dedicated to helping those on the margins of society and to fighting poverty in all its forms.

Our 10,000 volunteer members and many staff dedicate themselves to helping people who are suffering from the effects of poverty. This means taking food to families who are struggling to put food on the table or heat their homes; befriending people suffering from depression and other mental health issues or just loneliness; helping people to pay rent when benefit sanctions or universal credit delays have left them with nothing.

Many of the people we help voted for you yesterday, some perhaps voting Conservative for the first time. Please do not let them down. I urge you to make good your promises to them on making Britain a fairer place. People find themselves on the margins of society for many reasons. A nation will be judged on how it looks after its weakest citizens. Britain is failing very badly in this regard at present.

You are in a position to bring change and hope to those that have trusted in you, a better life for all, not just the few. I urge you to set an agenda that brings about that change.

Yours in hope

Helen O'Shea

SVP National President