Starmer has used this speech to set the narrative for Autumn, which is: “We had no idea it was so bad.” In summary:
- Growth, meaning wealth creation, is number one priority of government. Hence wealth fund, planning reforms, Great British Energy, and “ending the national strikes.” See how that goes…
- Labour has done more in 7 weeks than the Tories did in 7 years.
- “Things are worse than we ever imagined” – this isn’t a performative statement, the £22 billion black hole in finances wasn’t seen by OBR prior to the election.
- “Mindless minority of thugs” smashed up communities and terrified minorities. Crime has consequences.
- Society is “deeply unhealthy“, weakened by a “decade of division and decline.“
- Tory “populism” offered more failure.
- Dealing with this round of riots was harder than 2011 because Starmer didn’t know if courts could handle it.
- The UK has a “societal black hole.“
- Tough choices are ahead. Things will get worse before they get better. Ding…
- Starmer didn’t want to release prisoners early – the government wouldn’t have been able to respond to the riots if it had not been done.
- Starmer didn’t want to means test the Winter Fuel Allowance.
- Unpopular decisions coming now for the long term.
- Tories won’t accept the cost they have inflicted on country or apologise for it.
- starmer made huge asks of police and justice system during riots.
- Parliament returns next week – it won’t be business as usual because there is serious work to do.
- Budget in October is “going to be painful” and there is no other choice. He says it’s right that the “broadest shoulders should bear heaviest burdens”…
- Big asks will be made of the country at the budget too.
- Riots revealed the cure because people repaired damage done.
- Let’s fix the country together.
Starmer is asked to be honest about tax rises and refuses to spell out which ones are in consideration because what he “didn’t expect was a £22 billion black hole.” He also says the Winter Fuel Allowance is not a “well-designed scheme.” Starmer’s line on cronyism is that he “won’t take lectures.” Will this be enough to calm the mob?
Labour has billed this morning’s speech as Starmer’s big pitch for at least two terms. It’s the classic “Things are going to get worse” lark…
Watch live as Sir @Keir_Starmer gives a speech in which he promises his Government will do the ‘hard work’ to ‘root out 14 years of rot’ under the Tories https://t.co/cT1XjSt6bk
— PA Media (@PA) August 27, 2024
Starmer is pressing hard on blaming the Tories for everything going wrong and rolling the pitch for October’s tax rises. How’s that “rebuilding hope and trust in politics” going?
Labour Party Chairman Ellie Reeves was questioned by Kay Burley on Waheed Alli’s Downing Street pass. Reeves’ scattered defence lines contradicted themselves:
- He only had a pass for a few weeks.
- He’s a well-respected peer.
- He wasn’t involved in policy decisions.
- It’s “not unusual for a political figure to have a pass.“ It is if they’re a donor without a job…
- He worked on the election campaign.
- “I can’t comment on individuals.“
- There are no rules preventing donors “having a role.” What role did he have?
Reeves refused to say who authorised the pass. Meanwhile Shadow DSIT Secretary Andrew Griffith is calling for an investigation by Laurie Magnus, No 10’s Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests, into the cronyism scandal. Maybe the Propriety Group’s Jess Sargeant should look into it?
Former leader of the SNP in Westminster Ian Blackford told Times Radio why he believes Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that she spent no time in the kitchen and therefore didn’t see any of her husband’s purchases:
“She doesn’t have a passion for cooking.”
