As of last week, Starmer was insisting he wasn’t going to “walk away” and would fight any leadership challenge. They always say that…
Today’s resignation nonetheless makes the greatest hits list of Starmer’s U-turns. It could be the final volte face of his premiership, but there’s still time yet…
- “No tax rises on working people” pledge: Promised in the 2024 manifesto, then abandoned at the first Budget as employer NICs and other rises pushed the tax burden to a post-war high.
- WASPI compensation: Backed the women in opposition, then in government faced down their calls for compensation.
- Winter Fuel Payment: Means-tested down to pension-credit recipients, stripping it from millions, then partially reversed when the payment was restored to all pensioners earning £35,000 or less.
- Grooming gangs national inquiry: Resisted for around six months with Labour MPs whipped against it, then conceded following the Casey audit.
- Welfare (UC and PIP) Bill: A package pitched to save roughly £5 billion was gutted after 126 Labour MPs threatened to block it. PIP eligibility changes were dropped mid-debate and the bill scraped through 335 to 260 with 49 rebels. The welfare budget continues to boom…
- Puberty blockers: A proposed trial was paused after sustained campaigner pressure.
- Pension-fund mandation: Plans to compel pension funds into government-favoured investments were diluted after industry pushback.
- Phones in schools and under-16s social media: Initially argued a ban wasn’t necessary, then introduced a statutory schools phone ban and announced a social media ban for u-16s in the last few weeks. Legacy mode…
- Pub and hospitality business rates: Steep rises were announced and then partially reversed. Although most pubs still end up paying more anyway…
- Two-child benefit cap: Defended to the point of withdrawing the whip from rebels who voted to scrap it, then abolished at a reported cost of around £3 billion a year. Listed as one of his proudest ‘achievements’ during his resignation speech this morning.
- Family farm tax : The inheritance-tax change on farms was watered down after sustained campaigning, lifting the threshold to roughly £2.5 million individually and up to £5m for couples.
- Mandatory Digital ID: Launched as a mandatory scheme, then downgraded to non-mandatory.
- Local elections postponement: An attempt to delay May elections in 30 areas was abandoned after 25 days.
- Carbon Price Support: Scrapped after previously being defended, with Miliband having dismissed axing it as “totally incredible“.
- Chagos surrender: The disgraceful surrender was shelved, in part thanks to Guido’s relentless pressure. Good riddance…
Get in touch if Guido has missed any big ones. There was a lot to pack in…
