British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during this week’s Labour party conference, promised that his government would seize “control,” in a statement reminiscent of the Conservatives’ Brexiteers’ rallying cry. He implied that the Tories had completely lost control of an economy that Liz Truss’s government nearly wrecked, culminating in a ballooning national debt and a glaring £22 billion void in public finances that Labour identified.
Labour’s astonishing triumph in the July elections has barely had time to sink in, with the initial fervour giving way to a more sober contemplation of the task of governance. The conference was held amidst various controversies, from heated disputes over the retraction of winter fuel payments for the elderly, public disclosure of clothing gifts to leadership figures, to signs of internal conflict within the confines of 10 Downing Street, let alone the summer upheaval over immigration policies.
Starmer intended to focus attention on the prospect of a more affluent, prosperous Britain, fostering hope but also cautioning members that the road to continuous improvement includes tough, potentially unpopular decisions. According to him, the construction of new houses may necessitate drastic changes to planning policies and potentially contentious housing developments in some constituents’ localities.
He appealed to the conference attendants to trust in his leadership and assured them that things will improve. He recognized the citizens’ desire for a reprieve and strongly encouraged his party to follow his reform strategy: “We’ll reach our goal faster if we stick to the plan – a Britain that truly represents you.”
However, the urgent task he now faces is to restore confidence in a disillusioned populace whose trust in the political establishment has been profoundly compromised. The saying goes that actions speak louder than words, and the upcoming release of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ eagerly awaited first budget next month is the initial critical hurdle. Reeves’ ability to show a readiness, as signaled this week, to adjust the UK’s strict fiscal regulations to authorize greater capital expenditure that may fuel the economic growth Starmer is relying on, in addition to taking the tough measures Starmer suggested, will be crucial.