As someone who has spent decades campaigning for autistic people and their families, and as a parent to autistic adults myself, I don’t want another leader who simply talks about inclusion.
I want a leader who understands what life is really like for families across this country.
I want a Prime Minister who listens.
A leader who understands that behind every policy decision are real people waiting for support, struggling to access services, fighting for education, healthcare, housing and a future with dignity.
For too long, autism has been treated as an afterthought.
Families I speak to are exhausted. Parents are constantly battling systems that should be helping them.
Autistic adults are still facing barriers to employment, independent living and being fully included in society.
The next leader must recognise that investing in autistic people is not a cost ,it is an investment in people’s lives, talents and potential.
I want a leader with compassion, but also courage.
Someone prepared to challenge outdated thinking, tackle long waiting lists, improve mental health support, and ensure autistic people and those with learning disabilities are seen, heard and valued.
As a northern woman living in Greater London, a charity leader and a lifelong campaigner, I know that communities thrive when people work together.
The next Prime Minister must bring people together, rebuild trust and remember that leadership is about service, not status.
Most importantly, I want a leader who leaves no family feeling forgotten.
Because every autistic person deserves the opportunity to live a good life, and every family deserves to know that their government is on their side.
Anna Kennedy OBE
