So far, these include, in no particular order:
Ending the winter fuel allowance; pausing free speech protection in academia; legislating against Academy schools; imposing inheritance tax on farms and family businesses; the higher rate and lower starting threshold for employers’ National Insurance; greatly extended day-one employment rights; legislation which may compensate Gerry Adams for having been interned; imposing a state football regulator; giving away the Chagos Islands and paying Mauritius a bounty of £9 billion for taking them; cancelling new North Sea oil and gas exploration; bringing forward the death of petrol and diesel cars; more than doubling the fee for a shotgun licence; renationalising the railways; taxing the inheritance of private pensions; restricting council house right to buy; VAT on independent school fees; abolishing hereditary peers without any other reform of the Lords; axing the listed places of worship grant scheme; restricting arms exports to Israel; trying to kill the secondary market in tickets for sports and pop concerts; a renters’ Bill which will frighten off landlords; large pay increases to striking railway workers and striking junior doctors; steeply increasing the minimum wage; and remedying the Tory “black hole” in the public finances by creating an even bigger one.
On the basis of the above socialist, pressure-group based agenda, we are bound to conclude that employing anyone or seeking better education for one’s children or passing anything on to them or letting property are things of which Labour deeply disapproves, as are achieving food or energy security.
We also know, however, that Sir Keir and Rachel Reeves are mad keen on finding what he calls “the growth lever”. It is genuinely puzzling how they imagine that any measure detailed above could possibly contribute to that end.
FriedGreenTomatoes2
Even the Chagos island hiccup and the employers increase in N.I.? And the huge rise to train drivers?
Surely not.
🤔
Surely not indeed! Hard to believe that anyone of any political party could agree with all those things , a real stretch of the imagination too far.
There’s only a couple on that list that I do agree with.☹️
We who voted Labour just have to bite the bullet and say that there’s a reason that Labour generally and Starmer particularly are so low in the polls and have been for months.They must improve or they’ll sink completely in the public’s view.
A rapid shake up of the Cabinet is needed for starters.
If Reeves really wants growth she will have to do far more than all the cutting.The budget was disastrous.
Thanks for the link Casdon (06.36).
Trump likes winners and, even though some on GN can’t bear to face the fact, Keir Starmer is a winner.
Wow!
You heard it first on Gransnet courtesy of LD.
Not exactly a great achievement to be liked by Trump unless you’re a Trump supporter.I wonder if KS will mention it in Parliament.
Wouldn’t want to meet any losers if Starmer is a winner. He is the worst PM you have ever had.
Trump is probably keeping KS sweet. Bit of praise from him yesterday “he’s doing a good job. He’s a socialist. Bit different to me”. Trump will pull him away from striking too many EU deals. Make him aware that ‘closer enlinement’ could well jeopardise deals with America.
Be careful now Starmer…. Choose your friends very carefully.
FriedGreenTomatoes2
Trump is probably keeping KS sweet. Bit of praise from him yesterday “he’s doing a good job. He’s a socialist. Bit different to me”. Trump will pull him away from striking too many EU deals. Make him aware that ‘closer enlinement’ could well jeopardise deals with America.
Be careful now Starmer…. Choose your friends very carefully.
So true FGT2. What's the old saying - "keep your friends close, keep your enemies even closer". Be careful Starmer
Starmer has already been clear about where he stands.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy89x13xle5o
The polls are saying the same thing.
www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/25/move-closer-to-europe-not-trump-voters-tell-starmer-in-major-uk-poll
Trump is suspected of using the might of America to bend other countries to his will, e.g. by imposing huge import taxes even on commodities that America needs, in order to carry out what he wants.
FriedGreenTomatoes2
Trump is probably keeping KS sweet. Bit of praise from him yesterday “he’s doing a good job. He’s a socialist. Bit different to me”. Trump will pull him away from striking too many EU deals. Make him aware that ‘closer enlinement’ could well jeopardise deals with America.
Be careful now Starmer…. Choose your friends very carefully.
Damning with faint praise!
Of course, if Trump truly praised Starmer that could be more worrying.
Perhaps on a personal level Starmer is pleasant enough. Who knows ? I hope so and that he can get on with Trump. Fingers crossed. 🤞 He sure as heck isn’t a good leader.
nanna8
Perhaps on a personal level Starmer is pleasant enough. Who knows ? I hope so and that he can get on with Trump. Fingers crossed. 🤞 He sure as heck isn’t a good leader.
Who do you think is or has been a good leader?
Casdon
Starmer has already been clear about where he stands.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy89x13xle5o
The polls are saying the same thing.
www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/25/move-closer-to-europe-not-trump-voters-tell-starmer-in-major-uk-poll
For quite a long time now I’ve felt that, no matter what I feel about the referendum and the lies and misinformation that led to leave winning I was no longer supporting my friends who were campaigning to rejoin the EU. I thought that bird had flown. However, a day or so ago I had a sort of Damascene moment and realised I now felt that, because of Trump winning the election, we had to rejoin. Maybe I’d subconsciously tapped into the mood of the country.
And from a different perspective - one that is more from the centre and less from that of ... what shall we call it? The cutthroat capitalist; the deregulated capitalist or the dog-eat-dog capitalist the OP seems in favour of pushing ( no suprise as it is the Telegrah talking we have to thank for that piece). So, so far what has happened:
Social Equity Measures: Many of the proposed policies, such as extending day-one employment rights and steeply increasing the minimum wage, can foster greater social equity and support workers in achieving a decent standard of living. A focus on fair pay and rights can boost morale and productivity in the workforce.
Sustainability Initiatives: Cancelling new North Sea oil and gas exploration and pushing for the early adoption of electric vehicles demonstrate a commitment to combat climate change. Though these measures may seem challenging in the short term, they could foster long-term growth in renewable energy sectors and create green jobs.
Investment in Education: By rethinking funding structures for education, such as taxing independent school fees, the government could redirect those funds to improve public education. This can ensure all children have access to high-quality education, regardless of their background, potentially fostering a more skilled workforce in the future.
Regulation for Fair Competition: The proposal for a state football regulator and legislation affecting the secondary market for tickets could be seen as moves toward fairer competition and improved consumer protections. These measures could ensure that average fans have better access to events and participate more meaningfully in cultural activities.
Support for Local Businesses: While imposing inheritance tax on farms and family businesses may seem burdensome, it can incentivise local reinvestment and support community-focused economic growth by encouraging businesses to adapt and innovate rather than passively maintain existing structures.
Public Health and Safety: Increasing regulation and fees, such as those for shotgun licenses, reflect a commitment to public safety and responsible ownership. While these measures can be seen as restrictive, they also promote a safer society that prioritizes community well-being.
Affordable Housing and Renting Security: A renters' Bill that aims to provide more security for tenants addresses a growing concern in urban areas where housing costs are high. By ensuring that tenants are protected, the government can promote stability within communities and contribute to overall social morale.
Commitment to Civic Responsibility: Legislative actions that seek to remind individuals and organizations of their civic duties, such as limiting arms exports or moderating the financial windfalls from private pensions, can be framed as moves toward fostering a more responsible society that ensures broader societal welfare.
Redistribution for Public Investment: While measures like VAT on independent school fees may appear punitive, they are part of a broader strategy to redistribute wealth to fund public services and programs that benefit everyone, from healthcare to infrastructure.
Overall, a positioning of the current government’s agenda can focus on the ambition of fostering a fairer society, addressing climate change, improving public services, and ensuring that economic growth is inclusive. These policies emphasise the necessity of dialogue, measured adaptations, and potential for positive impacts, promoting the idea that they can lead to a more equitable and sustainable future while engaging various stakeholders in the process.
The OP view comes from those who believe in making the rich richer, in complete winners and complete losers while the agenda the government is actually working through comes from a belief in greater equality whatever part you play in society.
Thank you.
I was trying to think of a good leader in recent years and the only one I could think of was Angela Merkel.
Thank you PoliticsNerd. It's good to see a clear account of matters without bias.
I don’t know why I’m getting a feeling that AI is involved in your posts, PoliticsNerd. 
PoliticsNerd anyone who thinks that IHT on small family businesses is a good thing needs to give their head a wobble.
It will mean closures and unemployment.
At what level will IHT be levied on businesses and farms?
Chocolatelovinggran
Thank you PoliticsNerd. It's good to see a clear account of matters without bias.
I wouldn't claim it to be without bias Chocolatelovinggran. As I said at the beginning it's from my centrist viewpoint. At least you can the judge if that bias is affecting what I'm reporting though.
Wow! I look forward to seeing the additional 20% VAT I'm paying on school fees helping out the NHS and infrastructure. Of course, that's after paying for several thousand new teachers too.
Chocolatelovinggran
At what level will IHT be levied on businesses and farms?
20% over £1 million.
Oops,
I am waiting to hear from our accountant to see if we have £1 million per person, or it’s just £1 million in total.
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