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

[B0xes]

He was elected on fewer votes than Corbyn with very lukewarm support, the Tories lost that election, Labour did not sweep in on a tide of public approval, they just benefitted from peoples anger at the Conservatives. Since then, Starmers approval rating has tanked. He seems to have gone from one ill judged move to the next and seems totally tone deaf in speeches. Can he turn it around? What would he need to do?

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

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

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.

@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.

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

@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.

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

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?

I thought it sounded familiar!

Normally, they take over when the economy is in a good way and trash it, not when the economy is awful post-COVID. It's quite scary what they could do. We really need them to hold back massive public sector pay increases and reverse their tax on jobs. I'm in the process of not replacing a colleague who has resigned and this doesn't help.

Because the online companies all pay their fair tax right?.... Right?

That's an entirely different discussion!

@justteanbiscuits

"That's an entirely different discussion!"

Is it an entirely different conversation?

Online retailers avoid corporation tax by offshoring their profits, so an online sales tax simply redresses that tax avoidance.

Ok, here’s what Starmer should do:
Remember it’s still very early days
Get better PR - find a way to counteract the right wing media
Carry on making the difficult decisions
Push through planning reforms
No more budget measures that target business - we need business to prosper
No more massive public sector pay increases
Next time raise money by increasing income tax across the board (eg by 1 percent)
Prioritise the reform of social care
Be honest with people about the damage wrought by Brexit
Rejoin the single market
Bring essential services back under government control
Renationalise rail
If we can’t realistically renationalise power and water then at least need to reform these industries - develop proposals
Rethink net zero climate change targets (push them back)
Start preparing people for pension reform (discuss it)
Discuss introducing a health insurance system (reforming the NHS)
Delay free prescriptions to 67 yrs (currently 60)
Introduce NI for pensions over a certain level (ie rich pensioners)
Cosy up to Trump eg let him visit Prince and Princess of Wales in their home, have photo ops with their kids etc (they let Obama do this, before people object)
Smash those illegal immigrant gangs - make some progress!
Do not, repeat do not, legalise cannabis

But it won't be the companies paying for it. And I'm not just talking about Amazon.

And if Labour were introducing it you know that it would be called a tax on the elderly and disabled who can’t get to the shops.

join the customs union at a minimum
stop prioritizing the old over the young
reduce time people can claim benefits for not working. It shouldn’t ever be a choice to work part time and claim benefits. Same with not having to work until a child is 3, it’s normal to work from when a baby is 1.
stop subsidizing employers with low pay.

Has Labour prioritised the old over the young?

@justteanbiscuits

"But it won't be the companies paying for it. And I'm not just talking about Amazon."

You're right- Amazon et al would most likely cover the tax through passing it on to consumers.

But equally all taxpayers are in effect currently carrying the cost of the tax avoided by online retailers offshoring their profits.

Lastly by retaining a working local high street stores there are additional benefits such as local employment and a reduction in crime etc.

@noblegiraffe

"And if Labour were introducing it you know that it would be called a tax on the elderly and disabled who can’t get to the shops."

I'm sure they would be criticised like this, but equally so would any party that introduced it.

Tax big polluting companies. Tighten up tax loopholes. Stop huge corporations avoiding tax.

But the problem here is that people aren't really earning what they deserve in relation to what they do so they get angry at others they see as having an easy ride. If people were generally paid better by the organisations that can well afford to, then many would not be so upset and angry at people on benefits.

People on benefits who can work will also be motivated to work. ( If they can).

What about those beasts in the Royal Family. Are you as upset by them and their questionable exploitation of your hard earned money? Smoke and mirrors.

My neighbour gets over £350 per week in housing benefits alone! That's over £18k just for housing! Those not eligible have to make £18k after tax just to be equal

Very strange how all these posters seem to know so many neighbours and friends who are so willing to share their financial information and even more odd, the exact figures

Funny that

It should be for everyone. We should absolutely join a customs union, single market and adopt schengen borders. Not EU membership out of respect for the desire to leave the EU. But Swiss style relations.

No your neighbour doesn't get that money. Their greedy landlord does.