As the milestone of the first 100 days of the Labor government approaches, we asked Guardian readers for their thoughts on Keir Starmer’s government so far. Hundreds of people from all over Britain got in touch.
Among those who felt more positive about Labour’s start, many acknowledged that the government had hit some bumps, but praised the government for feeling like a breath of fresh air and for moving in the right direction on many issues, such as solving of strikes and scrapping the Tories’ Rwanda. plan, and preparations for the launch of GB Energy and the cancellation of no-fault evictions. Many in this group felt that the summer riots had been handled well.
However, others felt that Starmer’s government was focusing on the continued pursuit of a failing economic model and the country’s “managed decline”, rather than on more radical, actionable ideas aimed at social and economic progress and change. There was criticism that people living in poverty, people with disabilities and pensioners did not receive more support; that there was no credible plan to elevate the country; and that major problems in immigration, education and crime were not effectively addressed.
Many pointed to the donor donation scandal and complained about the new cabinet’s “lack of judgment,” “hypocrisy,” and at times “political incompetence.” Some felt Starmer and his chancellor, Rachel Reeves, had been unnecessarily ‘punitive’. Others, several of whom said they did not vote Labor at the last election, criticized Starmer for supporting and continuing to sell weapons to Israel.
‘PvdA is on the right track’
I believe, with all good intentions, that Labor is trying very hard to get the economy on track. It’s very unfortunate what happened with the expenses scandal.
As a retiree, I can afford to stop receiving the winter fuel allowance, but I feel sorry for those who need it and have lost it. In principle what Labor has done is a good thing as some of the people who received it don’t need it. However, it should be means tested and it should be easier for people to apply. Not everyone has family to help them, or can easily access the form online.
Rome wasn’t built in a day – they inherited a monster from the Tories, but Labor is on the right track. Anita Khulpateea, 73, retired nurse, Leicester
“There are a lot of opportunities if they can find some principles.”
The first few days, when Labor appointed competent, qualified people and seemed determined to achieve good things, were promising, but they have made many mistakes since then. Abolishing the winter fuel surcharge was not a ‘hard’ choice but an incredibly stupid choice as it may not save money if it leads to more pensioners seeking help from the NHS because they cannot afford to eat or clean their homes heating. . Difficult but reasonable choices would be standing up to the rich and corporate to fight rising inequality, i.e. taking money from those who can afford it.
They have done some good things, I look forward to seeing the details of the Workers’ Rights Bill, and they are helping us diplomatically restore some foreign policy credibility, rather than Britain being a joke .
I worry that Labor politicians think it’s okay to accept gifts, both as a sign of entitlement, but also because it implies they can be bought. I also worry that they have good intentions, such as providing more homes, but that they will pander to the corporate world so that we will have cheaper built, crappy homes, with green land development worsening our biodiversity crisis.
There are a lot of opportunities for Labor if they can find some principles and ethics and do what is right, rather than what they think will be popular or won’t upset rich people. I wish they could be braver and more honest, for example be clear about what the consequences of Brexit have been and not avoid talking about it. Claire, researcher, from the North West
‘They no longer have any idea how people live’
I’m 73 and run a collectibles store because I have to keep working. I thought the PvdA was meant for working people, but apparently they’ve forgotten that. They have to check people coming in illegally, which puts a huge burden on the NHS, schools and housing, and they keep saying we have no money. I don’t understand.
[Scrapping] the winter fuel [allowance] is a problem. I will have to compensate for the loss of these payments by working harder. Labour’s attacks on pension funds are another problem; these will cause them to lose value. If mine does, I’ll have trouble retiring. I still have a mortgage and was hoping to pay it off with my retirement. They no longer have any idea how people live, they are in a different world. Paul Piper, 73, from Gloucestershire
‘They have already achieved so much’
I am furious on their behalf; they have already achieved so much. They have resolved the medical assistants’ strikes and the machinists’ strikes, halted no-fault tenant evictions, scrapped the Rwanda plan, approved payment to victims of the contaminated blood scandal, created a poverty task force and provided free school breakfasts. for children. And yet they only receive criticism. Jane, Chichester
“They have introduced things that will make a difference.”
Considering that Parliament was in recess for about half of the 100 days of this government, they have made an encouraging start. If you look at what Starmer did early on, like dealing with the riots – he treated them exactly as they deserved and called out racism and the far right for what they were.
They’ve introduced some really important things like GB Energy, the nationalization of the railways and workers’ rights announcements – these are things that will make a difference to people’s lives.
As far as freebies go, I think there have been some big mistakes in the way they present themselves. Above all, they appear unprepared for the usual vitriolic opposition to a Labor government from the Tory press.
Labor has the potential to achieve a lot, despite the dire economic situation. But they also need to appoint the equivalent of Alastair Campbell – or even Alastair Campbell himself. Diana Page, 89, former teacher, Bath
‘What good is Labor if they can’t lift people out of poverty?’
I’m afraid Labor is a bit thick. It goes beyond political naivety. Couldn’t they see that most people love their grandmothers or aspire to grow old someday? That reducing the winter fuel surcharge for all but the very poorest would have a spectacularly counterproductive effect?
What good is Labor if they can’t lift people out of poverty? The IFS has calculated that (very ambitious) Labor plans to reach 80% employment (the highest in the OECD) will lift 200,000 children out of relative poverty, but that abolishing the two-child allowance will double this number. Yes, the cap is cruel, and Labor must show the courage of its convictions and do the right thing. If the first hundred days are anything to go by, I’m not sure there’s a political home for a middle-aged, vaguely left-of-center man like me. Ian Haskins, 55, an IT worker from Swindon
‘Setting low expectations is the right approach’
They are doing very well, given the conditions imposed on them by the previous manager. Their harsh economic message, which sets low expectations, is the right one, as it will take some time to be delivered to the people. Their tone on relations with the EU is about right, positive, but aware of the limited room for maneuver. Environmental measures meet with my approval.
Their apparently limited objectives may have disappointed some Labor members, but I think they have plenty to show for the 2029 election. They need to be much more aggressive with their media messaging, especially in relation to the Tory legacy. David Fell, 59, school laboratory technician and musician, Bristol
‘Far too right-wing on every subject’
Expected yet deeply disappointing. Far too right-wing in every area, which baffles me after fourteen years of Tory rule. Supporting Israel is a big mistake politically and morally, but also strange in an age when we are constantly told we have no money. Cutting government spending on the NHS, raising university fees when Starmer once promised to scrap them, banning puberty blockers and refusing to raise taxes on the rich and powerful make this feel like just another Conservative term. Izaac, 21, engineering student, Glasgow
“They have a pretty solid plan in place.”
I think in 100 days they accomplished about what I expected them to do, which so far doesn’t mean much. I do worry about the influence of Labour’s private donors on public policy. However, I think that despite all the reporting on so-called scandals like the donations and Sue Gray, they have put together a pretty solid plan for the next five years, especially in terms of increasing workers’ rights and increasing government investment in jobs . . This shows to me that while the government experiences inevitable teething problems, it has a broad focus on building up the average person. A student in his twenties from Aberystwyth
Some names have been changed.