On Saturday, Labour reached their first 100 days in government – often seen as an important period for new governments to showcase their agenda in a ‘honeymoon’ period.
Whilst the Conservative Party explore who they want as their new leader, and the Liberal Democrats come to terms with their surprise sixfold increase in MPs, Labour may have expected to face a tranquil 100 days. But whilst relatively low levels of opposition and momentum behind them post-General Election might have hinted at smooth sailing, a number of events have thrown spanners in the works.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Within two weeks of the General Election being held, Starmer enjoyed an 18 per cent approval rating (Opinium). Bouncing off the historic Labour landslide, and with a number of leading Conservative figures losing their seats, Labour began on the front foot.
A strong legislative proposal covering planning reform, workers’ rights, healthcare reform and devolution, among other things, and appointments of senior figures like the former Chief Scientific Office for the Government, Sir Patrick Vallance, in the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, all gave ambitions of hope for the future.
Later, good news continued, with the European Political Committee forum giving Starmer a chance to display his diplomatic credentials. A flurry of bills on Renters’ Rights, Nationalising the Railways, and abandoning the Rwanda Bill all gained popularity for the new Governing Party.
Ain’t No Valley Low Enough
But even in the face of these successes, Starmer’s Government has faced negative press that has led to plummeting approval ratings, with recent polling suggesting Starmer is more unpopular than former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (Opinium).
Deep internal communication issues within the Labour Government have been recently exposed. This came to light when Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh publicly condemned P&O Ferries for dismissing nearly 800 workers, urging a “boycott” of the company. Her stance conflicted with Labour’s broader efforts to attract foreign investment, particularly from DP World, P&O’s parent company and received a public rebuke by the Prime Minister.
Although DP World initially withdrew from an investment summit in response, they later agreed to participate following intervention by Downing Street. Nonetheless, the incident highlighted the lack of coordination within the Government and raised concerns about Sir Keir Starmer’s authority and the overall unity of his Cabinet, especially as they attempt to balance improving workers’ rights with economic strategy in these early days.
On policy, the tight fiscal rules stuck to by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the Treasury team (which already created tensions in the build-up to the 5th of July), have led to heavily scrutinised announcements on means-testing the Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners, and not reversing the Two-Child Benefit Cap.
Whilst the full fiscal plan presented by Reeves will come on October 30th, the feeding of these specific policies has caused division among political strategists. Is this a strategy to manage expectations ahead of a tough Autumn Statement? Or simply a political mistake that will cost the Party down the line?
On political conduct, the build-up to the Labour Party Conference was dominated by news of Lord Waheed Alli, longstanding Labour Peer, donating large sums to senior Labour elected politicians, and receiving a No. 10 pass at the same time.
At this time, rumours of discontent between Starmer’s Chief of Staff, Sue Gray, and the wider No.10 machine emerged. The allegations included senior official leaking information about Gray, scrutinising the difference in salaries between the Prime Minister and his Chief of staff (the latter being greater), and wider rumours of Gray’s disproportionate influence on the government. This led to her resignation and the appointment of Morgan McSweeney.
What may be useful for context is a brief comparison to the Government of Boris Johnson, where the public learned (particularly as a result of the transparency involved in the COVID-19 inquiry) that Johnson was ‘not in charge’, with Cummings running the Government.
Even Chief Mouser, Larry the Cat, couldn’t escape the political drama, with both Starmer’s Prince the Kitten, and new MP Steve Darling’s now-famous guide dog, Jennie (often called the Liberal Democrats’ 73rd MP), vying for the lobby’s attention.
Where Now for Labour?
In the face of crumbling public support, scandals piling up, and splits in their Party, the Conservative Leader called a General Election that his Party was, statistically, never going to win. After 14 years of sitting on the opposition benches, expect nothing of the kind from Labour.
They now have five years to impress the electorate, with Starmer talking of a ‘decade of renewal’, and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones MP, going further by calling for 25 years of Labour Government. And this may partially answer questions about their decision-making. Any government seeking re-election would be justified in making tough decisions early on, and then reaping the fruits before an election.
On the other hand, difficulties might reasonably be chalked up to fresh faces – a majority of the Cabinet (including Starmer) and new Labour Parliamentary Party have little experience in government and Parliament.
As politicians become familiar with their new positions, we may well see more stability in the news cycles. In reassuring news for Starmer, the two longest-serving Prime Ministers since 1997, Tony Blair and David Cameron, both ascended to No. 10 with no previous ministerial experience (whilst all other Prime Ministers in that period did… and lasted shorter amounts of time).
Final Thought
If anyone expected smooth sailing for Labour, they were destined for disappointment. With difficulties facing communities across the UK, international and regional instability, and public finances stretched, the Labour Government have a monumental task on their hands. But whilst some may look at the 100 days and applaud the positive steps taken, others may look at the same 100 days and consider Labour to be ‘more of the same’ – remember, things can change quickly in politics.
Within two months in 2022, the mantle of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom went from Boris Johnson to Liz Truss to Rishi Sunak, coupled with the passing of a monarch and a disastrous Mini Budget. Who can predict what will happen within the next five years of Labour Government? If the first 100 days are anything to go by, the answer to that question is “no one”.
This is just one of the articles that features in the next edition of the Chamber UK Journal. This journal focuses on Labour’s first 100 days government, which explores their legislative agenda and poses the question as to whether they are on the right tracks?
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