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GREED
IS DESTROYING OUR HERITAGE -
Heritage views are fast disappearing from villages as councils scramble to give developers free reign in return
for more rates to bolster their coffers, despite the fact that we are in
the middle of a climate emergency. Such councils and the developers
taking advantage of them are nothing short of climate criminals in the
view of country lovers and history buffs. Charles Church Developments
Limited shares the same registered office as Persimmon plc. Potentially
raising questions as to water pollution, stemming from their conviction
in Wales around 2021, when they were fined something like £433,000
in Newport Magistrates.
Sir
Kier Starmer - PM LABOUR AT
18 MONTHS: A GOVERNMENT UNDER PRESSURE AS PROMISES COLLIDE WITH REALITY?
As Labour marks its first full year in power, the mood in Westminster is far from celebratory. What began in July 2024 with a landslide victory and a pledge to “restore trust” in politics has, according to multiple media outlets, descended into a difficult first year marked by stalled reforms, internal turbulence, and a growing chorus of accusations that the party is failing to deliver on its promises.
The government’s own supporters admit the shine has worn off. Critics say the cracks are widening.
A YEAR OF HIGH HOPES - AND HARD LANDINGS
When Sir Keir Starmer entered Downing
Street, he promised a new era of competence, stability, and delivery. But as Full Fact notes, the government has
“nowhere near enough action to restore trust,” despite Starmer’s vow that trust could only be rebuilt through
“actions not words.”
The i Paper’s review of Labour’s manifesto pledges paints a similar picture: progress in some areas, but “big challenges ahead” as the government struggles to match its rhetoric with results.
The “Broken Promises” Narrative: What the Media Are Highlighting Below is a breakdown of the key promises the media say Labour has failed to deliver — or has delivered too slowly — in its first year.
1. Economic Growth: “Growth, Growth, Growth” Becomes a Headache
Labour’s flagship economic promise was to deliver strong, stable growth. But the
Express reports that the first year has produced “weaker growth, higher taxes, rising unemployment, and borrowing through the roof” — a far cry from the “pro‑business” revolution promised by
Rachel
Reeves.
The narrative is simple and damaging: the economy is not improving fast enough, and the government is running out of excuses.
The policies are not working.
2. Housing: A Revival That Hasn’t Materialised
Labour promised a “housing revival,” including major reforms and accelerated building. But the i Paper notes that progress has been slow, with planning bottlenecks and local resistance stalling delivery.
Corruption in local government is still rife, though new laws are in place
to try and curb favours for old mates. 3. NHS Reform: Still in Crisis
The manifesto promised sweeping NHS reform, shorter waiting lists, and improved access. One year on, the media consensus is that the NHS remains in crisis, with little visible improvement.
Sky News’ data analysis shows that key performance indicators have not shifted significantly in Labour’s first year.
4. Immigration: “Smash the Gangs” Still a Distant Goal
Labour pledged a tougher stance on illegal immigration and promised to “smash the gangs.” But the i Paper reports that the government has struggled to make meaningful progress, with operational and diplomatic challenges slowing reforms.
The UK remains attractive to those in poorer nations, just a boat ride away.
5. Trust and Standards in Public Life: A Promise Undermined by Events
Starmer’s promise to restore trust in politics has been repeatedly tested.
Full Fact highlights that the government has failed to take the “key actions” needed to improve political behaviour and transparency, despite being urged to do so immediately after taking office. THE CONTROVERSIES: A GOVERNMENT FIGHTING ON MULTIPLE FRONTS
Beyond policy delivery, Labour’s first year has been marred by political turbulence.
1. Cabinet Instability and the Rayner Fallout
Angela Rayner’s resignation triggered a major Cabinet reshuffle and raised questions about internal discipline. Media outlets describe the reshuffle as a “reset” forced by crisis rather than strategy.
2. Lack of Clear Governing Philosophy
The Institute for Government argues that Labour “has yet to set out a clear governing philosophy,” warning that the government risks becoming “less than the sum of its parts”.
This critique has gained traction across the political spectrum.
3. Delivery vs. Expectation Gap
Sky News’ anniversary analysis shows that Labour’s performance on key metrics is mixed at best, fuelling the perception that the government is struggling to meet its own benchmarks.
4. Economic Headwinds and Public Frustration
With inflation pressures, slow growth, and rising taxes, the public mood has soured. The Express frames Labour’s first year as “broken dreams” on the economy — a narrative the opposition has eagerly amplified.
A Government at a Crossroads
One year in, Labour faces a difficult truth: the expectations created by its landslide victory now threaten to overwhelm it. The media narrative of “broken promises” is gaining momentum, and the controversies of the first year have left the government vulnerable.
Yet the story is not finished. Labour still has time — and a large majority — to turn its fortunes around. But the next year will require clarity, discipline, and visible delivery if Starmer hopes to regain control of the narrative.
For now, the verdict from the press is clear: Labour’s first year has been turbulent, underwhelming, and politically costly.
Below are the players:
DAVID LAMMY -
A
giant in the justice world. Taking on the task of cleaning up corruption
in our town halls. Outstanding performance. Reform, watch out. This man will take a
lot of beating. Conservatives; dream on.
RACHEL REEVES -
The
Chancellor who sucked pensioners dry and annoyed farmers. She is known
as 'The Vampire,' for sucking the blood out of the population, and killing the
geese that lay the golden eggs. Though, no doubt, with good intentions.
YVETTE COOPER -
Foreign
Secretary. Keep a watching brief here.
SHABANA MAHMOOD -
Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary. Did not do much correcting of
injustices, has moved to the Home Office.
LISA NANDY -
Culture
Secretary (DCMS). Who is doing what she can, where she can.
STEVE REED -
Secretary
Housing, Communities and Local Government. Another giant leader, in the
world of planning corruption. looking to make councillors and councils
more accountable. Commendable! Incredible!
EMMA
REYNOLDS - Secretary
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). New to the fray, we'll
report on her achievements in due course.
JOHN HEALEY -
Defence
Secretary. Fighting to save our armed forces, with not much left in the
kitty to arm our brave fighting men. Look to drones. Cost less, and
don't sacrifice lives, which is where Putin is a butcher; Vladimir does
not care about his men, he just wants to expand Russian control, to
thwart NATO. Luckily, John is on the case. Drones are now on the menu.
WES STREETING -
Health
Secretary and Social Care. Wow, not much has changed. Still massive
waiting lists, cannot see a doctor, as infrastructure is stretched
beyond breaking point. And, forget your teeth. Dentists are a distant
memory. Reform can make hay here. But it will be hard going. Sorry Wes,
but it is true.
ED MILLIBAND -
Energy secretary
& Net Zero. Full marks to this gallant knight of renewables. He gets
a lot of flak. Should be looking to a hydrogen network, as alternative
storage and load levelling. Unfortunately, requires knowledge of
physics, that most MPs don't have, and worse still; technology change, that
even fewer understand. Nevertheless, he is a champion, who Reform will
find hard to beat. Once the UK finds a storage solution. We must stop
giving money to overseas investors, that should be ploughed back into UK
infrastructure. Maggie is to blame for this give-away.
BRIDGET PHILLIPSON -
Education secretary
& Minister for equalities. Now here is some good news for Labour.
She is tackling truancy, and still getting exam results. Reform watch out.
PAT MCFADDEN -
Work
and Pensions. Well, unfortunately for Pat, Rachel is spiking his guns. HEIDI
ALEXANDER - Secretary
Transport. Not sure she is going the right way. Hampered of course by
Rachel's taxations. We'll hold fire on Heidi. She may find a way to
clean up HGVs and shipping, using green hydrogen in ports and motorway
service stations. Flatpacks, look to be a promising solution. Trucks are
easier to adapt. Innovate UK, keeps giving seed money to all the wrong
players. Short-termism rules.
HILARY BENN -
Northern Ireland secretary.
All quiet on the western front.
PETER KYLE -
Jeez,
what with Rachel and Liz Kendall on his case. Business and Trade in the
UK, is taking a nose dive. Reform could not fail to outperform this
trio, with a little imagination, and software that works for honest
directors, not against them.
LIZ KENDAL -
MOVED TO:
Secretary of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, the
department who introduced the Gov.One-Login catastrophe that looks to be
another dis-incentive to entrepreneurs in the UK, combined with
potential human right issues. What a nightmare! She's handing the next
election to Reform on a plate.
JOHNATHAN REYNOLDS -
MOVED TO: Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)
Sir
Keir Starmer Prime
Minister - No
amount
of re-shuffling
this deck, is likely to make any difference at in terms of boosting
trade, or cutting taxation. But there are some rays of sunshine on the
horizon, such as clipping the wings of councillors who fail to declare their
interests.
THIS
IS WHAT THE LABOUR PARTY CABINET 2025 - 2026
LOOKS LIKE
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