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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to want this government to do some actual governing?

34 replies

CoralTrout · 05/02/2026 12:34

So frustrated with the lack of actual effective governing by our current government. Lifelong labour voter and hoped for rapid, pragmatic solutions to domestic problems and considered leadership on international issues. Instead we get bogged down in murky political appointments and constant U-turns on poorly thought through policies.

Every sympathy to the victims of Epstein and his co-offenders. Those culpable should be investigated and brought to justice however powerful / rich. But this current media storm and government instability should never have happened. One instance of inappropriate and / or illegal behaviour in a public office and that's it - no further government appointments should be allowed. One strike and you are out for life. It is a privilege to form part of our government not a personal opportunity to gain wealth, power or escape the law.

My heart hurts reading about 3 more young people dead this week in knife attacks. What is this government doing about tackling knife crime? I have no idea. Banning online sales of knives (except cutlery)? Automatic custodial sentence for carrying a knife? Knife amnesty? Prison for those selling knives to minors? All of these could be introduced quickly and make a difference. While this government flails about young people are dying.

Also don't understand why Labour keep going after the most vulnerable in our society to reduce benefit spending. Most of the electorate agree the welfare system is too complex and unaffordable but random cuts and changes are unpopular and divisive. The whole system needs radically redesigning to be fit for the world we live in now and not just tweaking a system designed 100 years ago.

Just two examples. There are many more!

AIBU to be so frustrated how Labour are letting us down. Anyone else sick of it? What can we do?

OP posts:
CoralTrout · 05/02/2026 13:48

randomchap · 05/02/2026 13:14

Like what? They have banned various types of knives that are associated with violence. www.gov.uk/government/news/ninja-swords-banned-by-summer-as-manifesto-commitment-delivered

Some of the things other they have done

Banned junk food adverts for children
Employment rights bill
Martyn's law
Abolish non-dom status
Ended vat exception for private schools

I watched the C4 programme about Ninja knives at the weekend I could not believe these were legal to buy online by anyone. Shocking lack of governing. In regards to your list:

Banned junk food adverts for children - great but not heard of this
Employment rights bill - good shout
Martyn's law - not heard of this
Abolish non-dom status - has this happened?
Ended vat exception for private schools - had heard of this but not convinced this is systemic change for most

I am well read, watch the news etc. and feel this is quite a limited list.

OP posts:
newornotnew · 05/02/2026 13:43

redwinecheeseandothersnacks · 05/02/2026 12:42

Remind me ..how much governing was achieved by the conservatives when they were in power?

Is that the benchmark??

The OP has asked a valid question about the present government.

Pinkyelloworangeandred · 05/02/2026 13:33

CoralTrout · 05/02/2026 13:31

In the year ending March 2024, Home Office data shows there were 262 homicides (the killing of one person by another) using a sharp instrument, including knives and broken bottles. This meant sharp instruments were used in 46% of the 570 homicides that occurred in England and Wales in 2023/24.

I don't think 5 deaths a week is "low". Knife crime has only fallen by 9% from 2024 to 2025 and remains 50% higher than before the pandemic.

Then perhaps we have to consider if stop and search policies are the lesser of two evils?

CoralTrout · 05/02/2026 13:31

Pinkyelloworangeandred · 05/02/2026 13:13

Why would the government take action against knife crime when the rates are lowest ever?

In the year ending March 2024, Home Office data shows there were 262 homicides (the killing of one person by another) using a sharp instrument, including knives and broken bottles. This meant sharp instruments were used in 46% of the 570 homicides that occurred in England and Wales in 2023/24.

I don't think 5 deaths a week is "low". Knife crime has only fallen by 9% from 2024 to 2025 and remains 50% higher than before the pandemic.

OP posts:
1dayatatime · 05/02/2026 13:16

The problem with actual governing is that getting anything done through the civil service is incredibly hard (the so called "Government blob").

Secondly with the current level of Government debt, an inability to cut spending because of backbench rebellions and an inability to raise taxes as it will further slow the economy, there simply isn't any money available to effect significant changes.

randomchap · 05/02/2026 13:14

Like what? They have banned various types of knives that are associated with violence. www.gov.uk/government/news/ninja-swords-banned-by-summer-as-manifesto-commitment-delivered

Some of the things other they have done

Banned junk food adverts for children
Employment rights bill
Martyn's law
Abolish non-dom status
Ended vat exception for private schools

Pinkyelloworangeandred · 05/02/2026 13:13

Why would the government take action against knife crime when the rates are lowest ever?

CoralTrout · 05/02/2026 13:08

redwinecheeseandothersnacks · 05/02/2026 12:42

Remind me ..how much governing was achieved by the conservatives when they were in power?

Well exactly - how did we get to the place of racing to the bottom with our government. Depressing.

OP posts:
redwinecheeseandothersnacks · 05/02/2026 12:42

Remind me ..how much governing was achieved by the conservatives when they were in power?