As the milestone approached of the first 100 days of the Labour government, we asked Guardian readers to share their views on Keir Starmer’s administration so far. Hundreds of people from across the UK got in touch.
Among those feeling more positive about Labour’s start, many acknowledged that the government had hit some bumps but praised it for feeling like a breath of fresh air and for moving in the right direction on many issues, such as resolving strikes, scrapping the Tories’ Rwanda scheme, and preparing to launch GB Energy and to scrap no-fault evictions. Many of this group felt the summer riots had been handled well.
Others, however, felt that Starmer’s administration was focused on the continued pursuit of a failing economic model and the “managed decline” of the country, rather than on more radical, workable ideas aimed at societal and economic progress and change. There was criticism that people living in poverty, people with disabilities and pensioners were not being supported more; that there was no credible plan to level up the country; and that big problems with immigration, education and crime were not being dealt with effectively.
Many highlighted the donor gifts scandal, complaining of the new cabinet’s “lack of judgment”, “hypocrisy” and at times “political ineptitude”. Some felt Starmer and his chancellor, Rachel Reeves, had been unduly “punitive”. Others, various of whom said they had not voted for Labour at the last election, criticised Starmer for supporting and continuing to sell arms to Israel.
‘Labour is on the right path’
I believe with all good intentions that Labour is trying very hard to get the economy on the right track. It’s very unfortunate what’s happened with the expenses scandal.
As a pensioner, I can afford to not receive the winter fuel allowance any more but I feel sorry for those who need it and have lost it. In principle, what Labour has done is a good thing as some people who have been receiving it don’t need it. However, it should be means tested and it needs to be easier for people to apply – not everyone has family to help them, or can easily access the form online.
Rome was not built in a day – they inherited a monster from the Tories but Labour is on the right path. Anita Khulpateea, 73, retired nurse, Leicester
‘There are many opportunities if they can find some principles’
The first few days, where Labour appointed competent, qualified people and looked determined to achieve good things, were promising but they have since made many mistakes. Removing the winter fuel allowance was not a “tough” choice but an incredibly stupid one, as it may not save money if it results in more pensioners seeking help from the NHS as a result of not being able to afford to eat or heat their homes. Tough but reasonable choices would be standing up to the wealthy and businesses to combat widening inequality, ie taking money off those who can afford it.
They have done some good things, I am looking forward to seeing the details on the workers’ rights bill, and they are helping us restore some credibility diplomatically on foreign policy instead of the UK being a joke.
I’m worried about Labour politicians thinking it’s OK to accept gifts, both as a sign of entitlement but also because it implies they can be bought. I also worry that they have good intentions such as providing more homes but will pander to business so we will have more cheaply built, rubbish homes, with development of green land worsening our biodiversity crisis.
There are many opportunities for Labour if they can find some principles and ethics and do what’s right rather than what they think will be popular or not upset wealthy people. I wish they could be braver and more honest, for instance be clear about what the impacts of Brexit have been and not avoid talking about it. Claire, researcher, north-west England
‘They haven’t got a clue how people live any more’
I’m 73 and run a shop for collectible items, because I have to keep working. I thought the Labour party was set up for working people, but apparently they have forgotten that. They must control people coming in illegally, who are a big drain on the NHS, schools and housing, and they keep saying we have no money. I don’t understand.
[Scrapping] the winter fuel [allowance] is an issue. I’ll have to compensate for losing these payments by working harder. Labour’s raids on pension funds is another issue, it’ll cause them to lose value. If mine does, I’ll struggle on my pension. I still have a mortgage, and was hoping to pay it off with my pension. They haven’t got a clue how people live any more, they’re in a different world. Paul Piper, 73, Gloucestershire
‘They’ve accomplished so much already’
I feel enraged on their behalf – they have accomplished so much already. They’ve resolved the junior doctors’ strikes, train drivers’ strikes, stopped no-fault evictions for tenants, got rid of the Rwanda plan, authorised the payment to victims of the contaminated blood scandal, created a poverty taskforce, and free school breakfasts for kids. And yet all they receive is criticism. Jane Warren, lampshade maker, Chichester
‘They’ve introduced things that will make a difference’
Given that about half of this government’s 100 days were when parliament was in recess, they’ve made an encouraging start. If you look at what Starmer did at the beginning, like dealing with the riots – he treated them exactly the way they deserved and called out racism and the far right for what they were.
They’ve introduced some really important things like GB Energy, railway nationalisation and workers’ rights announcements – these are things that will make a difference to people’s lives.
As far as freebies are concerned, I think there have been some huge errors in the way they are presenting themselves. Above all, they seem not to have been prepared for the usual vitriolic opposition to a Labour government by the Tory press.
Labour has the potential to achieve a lot, despite the appalling inherited economic situation. But they also need to appoint the equivalent to Alastair Campbell – or even Alastair Campbell himself. Diana Page, 89, retired teacher, Bath
‘What good is Labour if they can’t lift people out of poverty?’
I am concerned that Labour are being a bit thick. It goes beyond political naivety. Could they not see that most people love their grannies or aspire to be old one day? That cutting the winter fuel allowance for all but the very poorest would backfire spectacularly?
What good is Labour if they cannot lift people out of poverty? The IFS have calculated that (very ambitious) Labour plans to get to 80% employment (the highest in the OECD) will lift 200,000 children out of relative poverty, but that removing the two-child benefit cap will uplift twice that number. Yes, the cap is cruel, and Labour need to show the courage of their convictions and do the right thing. If the first 100 days are anything to go by then I’m not sure there is a political home for a middle-aged, vaguely left-of-centre man like myself. Ian Haskins, 55, IT worker, Swindon
‘Setting low expectations is the correct approach’
They’ve been doing very well considering the conditions they were handed by the previous admin. Their tough economic message, setting low expectations, is the correct one as it will take some time to deliver for people. Their tone on EU relations is about right, positive but aware of the limited room for manoeuvre. Moves on environmental issues get my approval.
Their apparently limited goals may have disappointed some Labour members, but I believe they will have plenty to show for the 2029 election. They need to be much more aggressive with their media messaging, especially regarding the Tory legacy. David Fell, 59, school laboratory technician and musician, Bristol
‘Much too far right on every issue’
Expected but still deeply disappointing. Much too far right on every issue, which baffles me after 14 years of Tory rule. Supporting Israel is a huge mistake politically and morally, as well as curious in a time when we are permanently told we have no money. Dropping public spending on the NHS, increasing uni fees when Starmer once promised to scrap them, banning puberty blockers and refusing to raise taxes on the rich and powerful make this feel like another Conservative term. Izaac, 21, engineering student, Glasgow
‘They’ve set out a fairly solid plan’
I think they have achieved about what I would have expected them to in 100 days, meaning not very much so far. I do worry about how influential Labour’s private donors are in terms of government policy. However, I do think that despite all the coverage of so-called scandals like the donations and Sue Gray, they have set out a fairly solid plan for the next five years, especially in terms of increasing workers’ rights and increasing government investment in jobs. This to me shows that while the government is experiencing inevitable teething problems, it has a broad focus on building up the average person. A student in his 20s from Aberystwyth
