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Since Labour took office, Keir Starmer’s government has:
- Scrapped the two-child benefit limit, lifting hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty and putting money back into some of the hardest-pressed households in the country.
- Expanded free school meals, cutting costs for families and making sure more children get a proper meal during the school day.
- Expanded funded childcare, reducing one of the biggest monthly costs facing working parents and making it easier for people to stay in work.
- Raised the National Living Wage, increasing pay for millions of low-paid workers.
- Strengthened workers’ rights, giving people greater protection against insecure work and bad employers.
- Introduced statutory sick pay from the first day of illness, so workers are less likely to choose between their health and their wages.
- Ended no-fault evictions, giving renters more security in their homes.
- Brought rail operators back into public ownership, taking key services out of failed private hands and giving the public a stronger stake in how they are run.
- Cut NHS waiting lists from their post-pandemic peak, meaning more patients are being seen sooner.
- Raised the state pension through the triple lock, protecting pensioners’ incomes against rising costs.
- Scrapped the old non-dom tax regime, making some of the wealthiest people in the country pay more fairly.
- Added VAT to private school fees, raising money from those most able to contribute.
- Removed business rates relief from private schools, ending an unjustified tax break.
- Increased neighbourhood policing, putting more officers and PCSOs back into communities.
- Helped bring knife crime down, meaning fewer families face the devastation of serious violence.
- Recorded the lowest homicide rate since the 1970s, a material improvement in public safety.
- Created Great British Energy, giving Britain a publicly owned clean energy company.
- Created the National Wealth Fund, backing investment in industry, infrastructure and clean energy.
- Passed planning reforms aimed at getting homes and major projects built faster.
- Improved relations with the EU, reducing diplomatic hostility and rebuilding practical cooperation.
- Agreed a UK-EU security partnership, strengthening cooperation on defence and European security.
- Signed a long-term partnership with Ukraine, reinforcing Britain’s support against Putin’s invasion.
- Secured new trade agreements, opening up markets for British businesses.
- Helped restore seriousness to government after years of scandal, chaos and decline.
- Revived Sure Start under the guise of Best Start Hubs.
- Stood up to Trump and kept us out of Iran without the US/UK relationship falling apart.
- Restored international faith in the UK
And this is the man who has been hounded out for not being flashy enough and not courting the media.
One of Burnhams supporters interviewed by Emily Maitliss has said he doesn’t feel sorry for Starmer because he ‘f**cked up’. Can’t imagine Starmer supporting MP speaking like that. And Burnham is demanding that Starmer hands overstate information as if he’s PM already I believe.
It is to Labour! And to us all who don’t want to see the Conservatives back or Reform.
Oreo
Doodledog
That's a very impressive list.
There are some things on it I like better than others, but to describe KS as useless or ineffectual is nothing short of wilfully blind.
I hope that AB does as much - I think he will, and I think he'll be equally loathed by those who prefer an unequal society, but I hope he handles the media more effectively than Keir did, and makes his achievements more obvious.He’s become useless to the Labour Party, they would lose the next GE with him in place.
That's not the same thing, though.
I don’t believe AB will be loathed at all.
Doodledog
That's a very impressive list.
There are some things on it I like better than others, but to describe KS as useless or ineffectual is nothing short of wilfully blind.
I hope that AB does as much - I think he will, and I think he'll be equally loathed by those who prefer an unequal society, but I hope he handles the media more effectively than Keir did, and makes his achievements more obvious.
He’s become useless to the Labour Party, they would lose the next GE with him in place.
Inevitably there will be things on this list that individuals are not happy about .... that is the nature of government.... it is not posdible to please everyone and no government should try. Policies affect individuals in different ways.
But the litany of criticism of Starmer has failed to look at his achievements and his basic decency ... something that has been sadly lacking in UK government for a long time.
Mark Carney hits the nail on the head.
That's a very impressive list.
There are some things on it I like better than others, but to describe KS as useless or ineffectual is nothing short of wilfully blind.
I hope that AB does as much - I think he will, and I think he'll be equally loathed by those who prefer an unequal society, but I hope he handles the media more effectively than Keir did, and makes his achievements more obvious.
I’m glad to see some appreciation of the government’s achievements under Kier Starmer, Luckygirl. It doesn’t mean everything is/was perfect. I do feel for the families of SEND children if the VAT on private school fees has affected them. Currently, SEND provision is entirely inadequate and no-one should have to pay to provide their child with an education that meets their needs.
European leaders (not just EU), including Zelenskyy seem genuinely sorry to see Keir go.
I totally agree. Well said.
I liked KS because he seems decent and has integrity. The list of his government’s achievements is impressive. OK some things had a downside but you cannot please all the people all of the time. In the end, he was ousted because the right wing media had it in for him, as they do all PMs but especially Labour. I despair of the Labour MPs who did not support him. Not keen on Burnham; seems like a bit of a throwback and a whiner. But let’s hope if he gets the job he makes a good go of it!
Mark Carney on Starmer; "It has been a privilege to work alongside Sir Keir Starmer as he has led international efforts to support Ukraine through the Coalition of the Willing, strengthen NATO, improve Arctic cooperation, and deepen the historic partnership between Canada and the United Kingdom.
Throughout, and in the face of exceptional challenges, Keir has acted with principle, determination, and collaboration. The world is safer and allies are more united because of his efforts.
Keir, thank you for your lifetime of public service. I am grateful for your friendship, and I wish you all the best as you concentrate on your "most important job.”
Just put this on another thread but needs to be here too..
True that no European country got involved but the UK has the closest ties to the USA. (not to Trump, mind you).
Luckygir13 I think your point about KS not courting the media is particularly pertinent.
Unlike more ‘charismatic’ populist politicians, he didn’t present them with regular meaningless sound bites and witty quips. His interviews were more measured, calm and thoughtful - an approach the current chaos/drama loving media just can’t get their heads round.
So , they decided they didn’t like him from the start, and proceeded to systematically convince the public that no-one liked him. If the media repeats something enough times, some people will believe it’s the truth. This then filtered through into polls and the whole thing became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Job done😡
eazybee
Yes.
The Scroungers' Charter.
How do you live with yourself , really?
Maremia
Coms teams cannot force stories into MSM, and if the owners/editors oppose their plans, then no chance.
As much as I despise Alastair Campbell he was good at publicising Tony Blair’s accomplishments.
KS’s have been conspicuous by their absence.
Even the MP’s rolled out each morning for the daily rounds of interviews on MSM TV and Radio haven’t been on top of the daily political news. They have got progressively worse over the last few months.
Coms teams cannot force stories into MSM, and if the owners/editors oppose their plans, then no chance.
LizzieDrip
KS wasn’t hounded out for lack of charisma, that sounds like Daily Mirror talk.
Maremia
Strange how these achievements rarely made it into MSM.
That is totally down to Keir Starmer and his appointed coms (should be no coms) team.
Macaydia
Keeping the UK out of Iran was the most intelligent decision of all. Everyone of us can applaud that.
No European country got involved, nor were they or us ever likely to.
Macaydia
Keeping the UK out of Iran was the most intelligent decision of all. Everyone of us can applaud that.
On that I agree 👍
Luckgir13
Thank you so much for starting this thread. The list of Keir Starmer’s achievements as PM are truly impressive.
As you say, the media and his own MPs have hounded him out because of ‘charisma’ (whatever that is)🤷♀️
Johnson apparently had ‘charisma’ - that went didn’t it!
Farage apparently has ‘charisma’ - enough said!
IMO we have just got rid of the most decent PM we’ve had in decades. Shame on those who instigated this - I don’t know how they sleep at night.
Absolutely Macadia.
Other Leaders thought we should have followed Trump's lead.
Good point Sarnia
Strange how these achievements rarely made it into MSM.
Keeping the UK out of Iran was the most intelligent decision of all. Everyone of us can applaud that.
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