I fear I am running the risk of becoming a broken record. I can assure you I am not a doom-merchant. When I began commentating on British politics at the nadir of Boris Johnson’s premiership, when he was usurped in a Tory coup, it was hard to think things could get much worse. Ever since, I have lambasted and lamented the steady increase in the woefulness of Britain’s governance under the Conservatives, in the hope that by highlighting the ills of our politics, we can work towards building a better society for all.
You would be forgiven for experiencing democratic grace when the new Labour government was elected. I certainly felt it in droves. A new government, a new vision, a new hope for Britain - what was not to love? Alas, this article serves as a vital warning to wake up, remove those rose-tinted glasses, and smell the coffee.
The last few weeks have been terrifyingly dangerous for the United Kingdom. We seemingly have a government resigned to the perpetuation of division and disorder. This Labour government must be watched. Its recent actions under Keir Starmer have sparked widespread criticism. There is a real growing concern about its ability to handle issues plaguing our great isles.
The recent riots in the United Kingdom have left an indelible mark on our country. They have also spotlighted an increasing sense of two-tier policing. In areas like Harehills, the police were seen retreating in the face of unrest, not to return. In the face of the Southport tragedy, police were accused of brutalising even peaceful demonstrators, not just far-right rioters. This has, rightfully, led to accusations that the police, under Labour’s governance, are applying the law unevenly, exacerbating public distrust in law enforcement.
In the wake of the riots, rather than calling for national unity, the Labour government has been accused of further polarising the nation, entrenching this era of division and disorder. Starmer’s speeches have placed the blame squarely at the door of the far-right, divisively failing to address the underlying issues that fuelled the unrest, and instead focusing on condemning specific groups, which some see as a missed opportunity to heal the growing rifts in British society. I vehemently condemn the actions of the rioters. As I said after Harehills, there is no place for such violence in British society. But to not even attempt to tackle the root cause of public frustration - division - is to sign a death warrant for our civil society as we know it.
One of the most controversial decisions in the last fortnight has been the scrapping of universal winter fuel payments, leaving nearly 10 million pensioners at risk of facing economic hardships during the colder months. This change in policy, whilst shocking, is not wholly surprising. It has been widely condemned, with many arguing that this move will plunge vulnerable populations into a deeper crisis, already exacerbated by rising living costs. How very considerate of the government.
Adding to the growing discontent, Labour's handling of its economic election promises has further alienated its voter base. Despite repeated assurances that taxes would not be increased, the government has quietly paved the way for higher taxation. Rachel Reeves wittered on about the importance and usefulness of the OBR being able to see into government finances. Soon as she is in Number 11, a £22bn blackhole emerges that the omnipotent OBR just so happened to miss? Suspicious. This move is seen as a direct betrayal of the electorate's trust, especially when coupled with the government's failure to meet its housing pledges—none of the promised 1.5 million homes have been built. That is 300,000 houses a year - they ought to get started, pronto.
To compound matters, the United Kingdom has also seen a record number of illegal immigrants entering the country, with some days witnessing unprecedented arrivals. Despite pledges to crack down on illegal immigration, the Labour government's enforcement efforts have been criticised as ineffective, leading to a significant strain on public resources and services. It is clear that immigration is not a top priority of the Labour government - it isn’t - but the recent flurry of illegal boat arrivals further divides the country.
A large part of the electorate, as evidenced by Reform UK’s vote share and the Tories’ embarrassing pandering to its votebase, views uncontrolled immigration as the most pressing issue facing the country. The jury is out on its specific ranking, but it is up there. Burying your head in the sand and ignoring it doesn’t make the problem go away. In fact, it makes it worse. Growing numbers of illegal immigrants plus climbing public discontent with immigration only equals further division and discord.
In a landscape marked by unfulfilled promises and escalating crises, Starmer’s government stands as a stark reminder of the dangers of vacuous, insubstantial rhetoric. As the nation teeters on the verge of deeper division and disorder, the cold reality is clear: under this administration, Britain’s challenges are only intensifying, with no meaningful solutions in sight.
Image: Flickr/Number 10
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