He’ll be radical, the PM’s allies claimed. Well, look now, as the poor are targeted and ministers boast of wearing Tory clothes better than the Tories, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik

I reckon it’s time to call it. The threat to freeze personal independence payment (Pip) disability benefits shows that the fears voiced in the run-up to the general election were well founded. Keir Starmer’s government, cratering in the polls, with Reform snapping at its heels, is in serious trouble. Weekend reports suggested the latest cuts are being reconsidered after a backlash from Labour’s own MPs, charities and campaigners. It’s all vintage Labour, swinging between collected callousness and then flustered chaos.

Prior to the election, sceptics were told to keep the faith. Focus on the prize of getting the Tories out. It’s all three-dimensional chess, to whisper to rightwing voters. Starmer’s caution and inconsistency is only pragmatism, which could turn to radicalism in office.

But you don’t hear that much any more. The radicalism not only has not transpired, but something else, something cold and stomach-sinking, has emerged: a government clear in its intent on making savings by targeting the most vulnerable in society – the sick, disabled people, mentally ill people. This isn’t simply a locking in of the austerity state Labour inherited, but an extension of it.

  • frankPodmore@slrpnk.netMEnglish
    1·
    6 hours ago

    I can’t see them introducing anything that would count as a wealth tax.

    Especially because the modest tax rises in the last budget were greeted by universal screeching noises (and… don’t seem to have really paid off).

    I agree with the general sentiment you’re all expressing, that Labour should bit the bullet and raise taxes. But the problem is, in doing that we actually are asking them to break a promise they made to the electorate.

    • HumanPenguin@feddit.ukEnglish
      2·
      5 hours ago

      That screeching is less universal then the press would suggest.

      A 0.1% drop after a 0.4% rise is the best actual data they have. So all the claims of collapsing economy are exaggerated predictions not facts. But gowd are the press trying to push it as fact.

      The econ is on a prestige. But the cause was the huge borrowing and lack pf regulation on spending during covid. It has left the UK with huge wealth disparity added to an international loan market that is less trusting of UK finances. Meaning the cost of borrowing has risen compared to gdp. Making spending harder. Increased inflation would actually help the gov by making current debt cheaper but harm the poor.

      But dispite the tory press. The increase in borrowing costs are directly related to tories time in power and increased borrowing.