LIVERPOOL, England — On Tuesday, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of making tough decisions now to usher in a new era for Britain. Addressing Labour Party delegates, Starmer asserted that these decisions would lead to national renewal and alleviate the current pessimism surrounding his nascent premiership.
“Change must mean nothing less than national renewal,” Starmer stated, highlighting the need for long-term, purposeful decisions to hasten Britain’s progress. He made these remarks during the closing of Labour’s annual party conference, the first since the party regained power after 15 years.
Starmer criticized the previous Conservative government for its detrimental impact on public services and the erosion of public trust. He urged that politics could still be a “force for good” and outlined Labour’s vision for Britain’s future. “We must build a new Britain. We must be a great reforming government,” he proclaimed.
The Prime Minister’s call for optimism comes in response to accusations of doom-mongering over the state of the U.K. economy and a perceived lack of detail on plans for improvement. Controversies have also arisen regarding the government’s decision to limit winter fuel payments for pensioners and issues surrounding ministers’ use of donations for personal expenses.
Defending the fuel cuts, Starmer noted, “If this path were popular or easy, we would have walked it already.” He highlighted several achievements already made by his government, such as resolving the NHS doctors’ strike, initiating new solar and offshore wind projects, reforming planning policies, halting no-fault evictions, creating a National Wealth Fund, and planning to renationalize railways.
“The work of change has begun. The patient, calm, determined era of government as service has begun,” Starmer said, adding that the government is “only just getting started” on various initiatives, including reducing knife crime, developing a new industrial strategy, and addressing benefit fraud.
Starmer reiterated his five priorities for national renewal: boosting economic growth, reforming the National Health Service, enhancing border security, improving education, and transitioning to clean energy. He also expressed satisfaction with shifting the Labour Party to a more centrist position, which he claimed was now better aligned with serving working people.
Finance Minister Rachel Reeves, in her keynote speech on Monday, echoed Starmer’s positivity while acknowledging the challenges ahead. She indicated that the upcoming autumn budget would include both tax rises and spending cuts to address a £22 billion deficit in public finances, yet promised it would be ambitious without returning to austerity.
Throughout the Labour Party’s three-day conference, this optimistic messaging was reinforced by various government ministers. Health and Social Care Minister Wes Streeting noted that improvements to the NHS would require time due to the enormity of the challenges. Economic Secretary to the Treasury Tulip Siddiq emphasized the long-term benefits of the tough economic decisions currently being made.
Recent Ipsos opinion polling indicated that public enthusiasm for the government is waning, with half of Britons, including a significant portion of Labour voters, expressing disappointment with the government’s achievements thus far. CNBC has reached out to the Conservative Party for their comments on these matters.
