From cutting taxes and changing the retirement age to improving animal welfare and banning hotel cushions, Harrow residents have shared what they would do if they were Prime Minister for a day.
Harrow Online asked followers on Facebook and Instagram what their first priority would be, prompting a wide range of political, serious and light-hearted responses.
Immigration, taxation, welfare, policing and the cost of living were among the most common subjects raised.
Taxes, pensions and the cost of living
Alison Francis said: “I would bring inheritance tax down to 0%.”
Eduard Beqiri said he would: “Cut a lot of pointless jobs and use that to lower taxes a bit.”
James Newton said: “Abolish all Universal Credit, abolish all taxes on stocks and shares ISAs, increase the tax-free threshold to £20,000, abolish all taxes on pensions and lower the pension age to 55 years old.”
Andrea Rice said: “Bring down the retirement age. People are having to work longer, hence there are no jobs for school leavers to go into.”
Alexia Indie added: “Raise the minimum wage and lower rent. Rent in London is becoming ridiculous.”
One Instagram follower said: “Universal Basic Income. Give every citizen a basic monthly income to cover basic needs and take it out of the welfare budget. No exceptions, no means testing.”
Another said: “Make financial education compulsory in school. Give young people more information and knowledge to give them the best start in life when managing their finances.”
Concerns were also raised about roads, pavements and public safety.
One follower said: “I would make it illegal to have really old fire and security alarm systems, especially in public buildings.
“I would also make sodium street lighting banned and make it the law that all UK streetlights must be LED, so road users can see the roads more clearly at night.
“Then I’d get local councils to resurface the pavements and roads for safer walking and driving, and I’d get councils to pressure-wash road signs and repaint road markings.”
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Politics, immigration and unusual suggestions
Immigration and border controls featured heavily in the responses.
Anjali Short said: “Stop illegal immigration and close our borders for five years while we sort out our own nation.”
Agnes Ennis said: “Block all illegal migration.”
Jan Steele said: “Close all our borders.”
Heather Roberts and Frances Croucher both simply said: “Immigration.”
William Smith said: “Leave the ECHR and get the Royal Navy to turn back the boats.”
Another Instagram follower said: “Change our welfare system to stop us being such a soft touch for people who have no intention of ever contributing to it.”
Ron Kalian suggested: “Mandatory general election on change of Prime Minister.”
Steve Cansdale said: “Get rid of the monarchy.”
Jackie Sharpe said she would get rid of: “The whole Government and monarchy.”
Harvey-Liam Marshall said: “Allow the Senedd to call an independence referendum.”
Rory Hill said: “Give the six counties back to where they belong.”
Kunal Gandhi suggested: “Introduce and pass a bill not to elect anyone over 50.”
One resident said they would make “animal and bird welfare one of the top five national emergency priorities, along with the environment.”
Others had more unusual ideas.
Judy Lustigman said: “Ban hotels from putting those manky fabric cushions on beds in hotel bedrooms. I know it’s a frivolous comment, but I have said I’d do it when it’s my turn to be PM. Just think what parts of other people’s bodies have been on them.”
Ken Adams said: “Larry needs more treats. The utter rubbish he’s had to endure. He deserves them.”
One Instagram follower said: “I’m changing speed limits: 20mph back to 30mph and increasing 70mph to 100mph.”
Others questioned whether anything meaningful could be achieved in a single day.
One follower said: “Nothing you could do in one day. It is not America; you have a process.”
What would you do if you were Prime Minister for the day? Let us know in the comments on our socials.
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Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
