Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
The prime minister has recently sought to distinguish his party’s vision sharply from that of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, aiming to rejuvenate Labour’s standing as well as his own reputation going into the new year. Sir Keir Starmer addressed his political cabinet, emphasizing the importance of presenting a clear choice to voters: between Labour’s goal of “renewing the country” and Reform UK, which he accused of capitalizing on “grievance, decline and division.” This move comes amid declining poll numbers for both Labour and the prime minister since their significant victory in the 2024 general election.
Sir Keir’s political cabinet meeting, which was held without civil servants but included deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell, highlighted a determined focus on the cost of living crisis and the promise to deliver “change people can feel.” He framed the contest as a battle between a Labour government committed to renewal and Reform UK, which he claimed sought “a weaker state,” aimed to “inject bile into our communities,” and favored appeasement of Russian President Vladimir Putin. “This is the fight of our political lives and one that we must relish,” he stated. Reform UK responded by accusing the prime minister of being “obsessed” with them because they represented a significant threat to his “failing government.” Their spokesman criticized Labour’s handling of the cost of living, stating that promises made two years ago had failed amid soaring household bills, rising taxes, and stagnant economic growth.
In his remarks to ministers, Sir Keir acknowledged the difficulties ahead but expressed confidence in his team’s resilience. “Governments do not lose because polls go down. They lose when they lose belief or nerve. We will do neither,” he affirmed. Despite the turbulent political landscape and speculation about a potential leadership challenge if Labour performs poorly in the upcoming elections this May, the prime minister presented a determined front. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Labour for having “no plan, no agenda,” labeling the prime minister as “weak” and uncertain about his future. She stressed the nation’s need for a government prioritizing economic stability, commenting, “Right now, our economy is in freefall.”
This political session at Downing Street followed a brief official cabinet meeting where civil servants were present. During that meeting, Sir Keir set out the primary objective for 2026: demonstrating “hard work, focus and determination” to alleviate the financial strain on households. His renewed focus on the cost-of-living crisis coincides with his preparations to attend a gathering of Ukraine’s allies in Paris. Notably, his current strategy reset has been somewhat eclipsed in international news by President Trump’s recent capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and ongoing interest in Greenland.
Reflecting on his time as prime minister, Sir Keir expressed frustration in Parliament at the slow progress caused by layers of regulations and consultations that delay policy implementation. He called for a reduction in such regulatory barriers to speed up government action. At the cabinet meeting, he underscored the continuing uncertainties in the world but reaffirmed that addressing the cost of living must remain the government’s top priority. He further pointed out that voters would ultimately assess the government’s success based on tangible improvements in public services and the NHS. Despite challenges, Sir Keir asserted the effectiveness of current policies, citing rises in the minimum wage, the Bank of England’s interest rate cuts, and targeted support for household energy expenses
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.