So Starmer has already started with the unpopular necessities, prisoner release, winter fuel subsidy for pensioners. I am sure there are other ‘nasties’ in the pipeline, and whilst I accept ad support the government it also needs to be aware of the need to avoid arrogance and using their large majority as an uncaring bulldozer to force through legislation. As ever there will be occassions when this is necessary. In particular I am thinking about the need for new housing. Whist the NIMBY voice is often loud and vociferous, it should not be totally ignored. Building firms need to pay for utilities like water supply and sewage disposal/treatment; the traffic infrastructure both in the immediate vicinity and locally needs careful consideration. The type and style of housing also needs attention along with local facilities like schools and health centres. Rural areas may not be the best location for ‘affordable” housing. Acknowledgemnt of our ageing population is also a consideration. Climate change needs 100% solar panels and heat exchange pumps, flood potential also seems to have been ignored whilst the need for ‘green areas’ needs to be legislated for in any new development. No simple answers here – or with other ‘problems’.
I do not know enough to comment on the NHS, but suspect there is a large amount of wastage in the current structure – top down review will not suffice!
Education – OFSTED reform was long overdue and swiftly dealt with – attempts by the media to criticise fell on deaf ears – it was blatently an obsolete system. Personally I would like to see a system of non-age dependant credits – once a certain level (GCSE 5?) has been reached in core subjects like Maths, English and Science, they could be dropped, even at the age of 14! A certain balance would be needed to qualify for a School Leaving Certificate. This would enable proper study of the arts, humanities and languages by those with aptitude and passion in those areas. A level exams, certainly in the Humanities need reform for more critical thinking! Vocational training with apprentiships should have equal status with A levels and the same for universities. A degree has moved in my life from being desirable to essential to an often debt ridden mistake!
Military – commitments to spend a certain 5 seem rather crass. Modern warfare seems to be weighted towards drones if reports from Ukraine are correct. Warships like aircraft carriers with £billions of security may be relevant, but the sinking of several Russian warships of status seem to make the basic concept of the navy rather obsolete other than as a humanitarian tool! Planes to avoid air defence missiles need to be mega expensive! A report today said Russia had shot down several hundred Ukrainian drones – drones will get cleverer at avoidance! Given all this – I wonder about the role of the army? Other than a possible and dubious role in civil disturbances, humanitarian relief I wonder what its role is? We are an island and whilst not dismissing it – it probably needs massive reform. How many Generals live with servants, chauffeurs and chefs, or access to them? Rather a lot of chiefs I think!
Environment – Starmer will need to hold his nerve against the climate deniers of the right wing. Again he has made a start with off shore wind auctions. Milliband at least seems to actually care and have some belief, honesty and determination. He will need to ensure that the new housing is climate negative by careful negotiation with Angela Rayner. The new infrastructure that the tories neglected will be both expensive and in places unpopular. The environmental crisis gradually unfolding will also need hard decisions. Pesticides will need to be banned and possibly grants to leave waste for insects! The decline in insect populations is horrendous, but hopefully that can be reversed due to their fecundity? (Soz, I like smart arse words!).
The Care situation has no immediate answers, as also the mental health issues. Suggestions of massive deaths from cold this winter are hopefully not only exaggerated by both the left and right, but are a reflection of our uncaring society? I also seem to remember that in the past a supplement was added to pensions if te temperature dropped below a certain level for 5 days? Seems like a good solution to me, taxable as well!
Stories about an exodus of rich people seem to have stopped with the plastic plumber from Pimlico.