To wonder what could Starmer do, to turn things around?

I thought it sounded familiar!

CanadianJohn · Today 17:13
Some posters have said "rejoin the EU" but I don't think it would be that simple. UK would be considered a "new country

Would there have to be another referendum in UK?

Not to mention that the membership fee would be £15 - £25 billion a year.

@Tryingtokeepgoing

"I make no judgement on the proposed reforms, but do think postponing elections sends a very bad signal indeed about our democratic process at a time when trust is at an all time low"

I completely agree that it sounds a very bad signal about our democratic process even if the intentions behind it are logical.

Increased NHS spending

That article ignores the government's announcement that an extra £2.5 billion a year of funding will be diverted to the private sector;

Critics decry Keir Starmer’s plan as ‘feeding the parasite’ rather than investing in the public health service.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/06/private-sector-cutting-nhs-waiting-lists-england-keir-starmer

Improved international relations

Hopefully Starmer and Trump will be 'besties' very soon.

The government has committed to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP

Have they? When by?

https://fullfact.org/government-tracker/defence-spending-percent/

Fast-tracked legislation to improve workers' rights

The Government has published its much-anticipated Employment Rights Bill. The Bill, which encompasses 28 individual employment reforms, is set to be implemented by mid-2025 or 2026. However, the path to legislation may see significant alterations, with key reforms potentially diluted or subjected to further consultation.

https://uk.markel.com/about-us/news-and-insights/governments-employment-rights-bill-major-reform-or-minor-tweaks

@eekwhatnow

"In my opinion the vast majority of the country’s economic issues are due to Brexit now reaping its consequences (and we know who to blame for that)"

Whilst I don't disagree that Brexit has been incredibly economically damaging to the UK, other (especially European countries) are also suffering from economic decline and the one common factor is high levels of Government debt.

Some posters have said "rejoin the EU" but I don't think it would be that simple. UK would be considered a "new country", and would have to meet the financial requirements, for example, a functioning and resilient market economy.

Not to mention, some EU members might object.

Oh I agree that they should. And said the same about Labout in opposition. But that's not what oppoistion parties do.

Fortunately (!!) councils / the government want to postpone local elections until after the proposed reform to local govenment that Labout want to make. I make no judgement on the proposed reforms, but do think postponing elections sends a very bad signal indeed about our democratic process at a time when trust is at an all time low

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgrg989j9jo

This. What they're doing makes sense to me.

but again, no matter what someone will be unhappy with a decision that is impacting their wallet. People can want all these things but without funding them, they can't be done and most aren't willing to see any effect on their own finances it seems.

There are too many factors at play to say any 1 person can completely overhaul economic decline that is global and is caused by so many different things. If it was as easy a fix as that, any of the previous Governments would also have chosen to do that.

Whoever talked about targeting Amazon for tax contributions. I don't understand economics well enough but to me going after the large organisations like this seems sensible to.

Im sure they would if they could - there must be a good reason why they can’t.
Also, with the cost of living being so high I think there would be an outcry if shopping became even more expensive - which it would as Amazon would pass on the extra costs to the customers.

@Alwaystired94

"Truth is, half the ideas people have put on here have been in complete opposition to the other half. There will never be universal support because no matter what, someone will want more."

I don't disagree but what we are left with in the meantime is slow managed economic decline.

It's a Reform policy, except their proposal is 4% tax for online shopping.

@Tryingtokeepgoing

"Why would either party say anything about their proposals yet? For the Torys under a new leader they probably haven't had time to develop any new policies. And why would they rush anyway? There's probably 4 years before they need to say anything from an election point of view."

Because even though the election is not until 2029 both Kemi Badenoch and Ed Davey need to at least say /do something if they are going to keep their jobs as leaders of their respective parties.

Plus there are local elections coming up in May and if Reform do well then they could credibly argue that they are the true opposition party and it will be harder for the Conservatives to play catch up.

In a functioning the leader of the opposition needs to do a bit more than " yeah we screwed up last time but things are going to be different next time (without any vague indication of what might be different),"

All the young people would leave probably!

That's your opinion, there are many of us with realistic expectations who weren't expecting more in the last 7 months than we've had.

We want actual change don't we? I do. Not quick jobs that only last 5 minutes and cause more problems down the line. 7 months is not much at all, let alone in comparison to the last 10-14 years.

Truth is, half the ideas people have put on here have been in complete opposition to the other half. There will never be universal support because no matter what, someone will want more.

Why would either party say anything about their proposals yet? For the Torys under a new leader they probably haven't had time to develop any new policies. And why would they rush anyway? There's probably 4 years before they need to say anything from an election point of view.

We can all recall the mantra of the Labour opposition when challenged under the last government to so say what they'd do differently. They refused, stonewalled and ignored all such lines of questioning. The main repsonse was to wait for the manifesto (which, as it turned out was anothe lie...!) Politcians will be politicans - in opposition there is nothing to be gained from showing your hand this early in a term.

Probably less than the parking in the numerous places I would need to go. And the day off a week I would need from work, or close down the kids sports club I run.

I don't think anyone who mostly shops online would switch to traipsing around the high street in order to save £1 in every £100, anyway.

Plus if Reeves announced something like that, she'd be shredded by the press.

That is absolutely missing the point. Why do posters persist in deflecting any criticism by saying Labour are not as bad as the Tories, Starmer isn't as bad as Kemi etc etc. It's so childish.

So those that struggle going to high streets should be penalised for shopping online? Really don't understand that one.

He needs to do a few fluffy things that people can get behind.

Someone suggested he do away with the subsidised food and alcohol at Westminster - simple, easy, wouldn't raise much money but the optics would be great

Sack Reeves, his Immediate resignation and call for a general election 🙏

He needs to speed up the reforms. Labour had over a decade in opposition, so they should have some proper ideas about the changes needed. All he's done is set up a huge number of reviews which are going to take 2/3/4 years to come to conclusions about what reforms are needed. Far too late. We need change NOW. Before the election when people were challenging Labour as to what changes they were going to make, their apologists kept saying that they couldn't publicise their changes in case the opposition copied them - now we know they didn't actually have any policy change ideas!

1% online shopping tax, excluding groceries. That'd raise money and give the high streets a chance.

5p takeaway tax and then spend it on cleaning up the roads. The litter is getting out of control.

And dear God please reform social care now.