So we come to the task in hand. Firstly Starmer has cut the summer break for MP’s by extending Parliament to enable somethings to be done. This is alresdy something that Sunak would not have contemplated. Starmer himself has a NATO conference to attend where Ukraine will loom large. he will also need to be aware of Gaza, possible threats from China towards Taiwan, Russian influence in North Africa . Lammy will need to hit the ground running!
Migration – Starmer will be aware of the protest vote in red wall seats – these will need to be appeased at some stage. I have no answers here – but honesty would be good! Presumably the £300m spaffed on Rwanda is lost, but £4billion on the asylum system must be solvable? Fast track amnesty? Then there will need to be restrictions on immigration if Reform are not to be allowed to go on a rampage of racism and hatred. Restrictions on non-skilled will have farmers and others complaining, if restrictions on families it will be the industries that rely on them who will complain. Personally I would restrict non-skilled (unless an employer can prove that there are no local applicants). This would inevitably force prices up so lots of honesty will be needed. The small boats is only an issue for the RW Trash Press – but a few well publicised arrests of the people smugglers would be good – and surely MI5 could arrange?
Housing – Angela Rayner has been tasjked with this – and she looked awful with a dodgy eye when interviewed last night/early morning! What ever the plans are there is bound to be a massive outcry from the right! If it is new villages near M’ways they will decry the environmental destruction. If it is forcing companies to use land they have bought already the shareholders will cry. I do not know the stats but empty properties and second homes could reduce the problem and not be too unpopular with voters (apart from Tory and Reform!). Go Angie – we know you have the balls! Bring in the end to no fault evictions. And impose strict safety and hygene levels for all landlords. The initial squealing will die down!
Prisons is very urgent (Thanks Tories!). Surely it is better to pay for more rehabilitation of minor offenders than lock them up for £££? per week ad then have them reoffend. So scrap new builds and re-instate Sure Start and youth clubs and sorts club membership subsidised for under 21’S. I think I have sorted the solution to this one!
NHS – pay restoration will need to be offered – even if staggered. The NHS structure also needs revision that is beyond me! But happy and healthy citizens will be happy to pay tax if they are made aware of its efficient use? (Denmark and other Scandinavian countries prove this)?
Council Tax -needs urgent reform. Levels set in the 1980’s can be revised quickly with Google Maps and a visit if necessary. Wages for council leaders may need to be capped? I am not sure about this, but some seem high?
Social care – the elephant in the room that Johnson promised an imaginary solution. I would start a radical discussion on what is needed, who can provide it, and why paying money garbbing Old Peoples Homes owners extortionate money is wrong. I am old – 71, but if asked I would happily help out with neighbours?
Education – Universities are suffering from the racist policicies of the Tories. Personally I would provide free places for students from state schools who get the grades. Forget the crap right wing bollocks about woke degrees! However well paid apprenticships across industries would be good. Student loans are now too large to just write off – but moves in that direction should be made. Parents who pay £50000 a year for a twat at Eton should pay more at Oxbridge, etc.