Let us be clear: this is neither a reboot nor a relaunch, and certainly not an admission that things aren’t going to plan. At least, that’s what Labour would have us believe as Sir Keir Starmer unveiled his six policy “milestones” today at a film studio, flanked by a notably stiff-looking cabinet.
These new pledges replace his previous ones—pledges that many of us have likely forgotten. Leaders seem fond of making grand promises, often amounting to little more than hostages to fortune. Rishi Sunak, for instance, had five such pledges, two and a half of which might ring a bell: “stop the boats,” lower inflation, and vaguely cut hospital waiting lists. Did they do him any favours? Not particularly.
The problem with targets is that they often divert attention from broader issues to narrowly defined measures of success. Worse, the targets politicians set might not reflect the priorities of the electorate. Ultimately, it’s we, the voters, who will decide what matters most at the ballot box. Personally, I’ve got my own list of issues Sir Keir hasn’t addressed—perhaps because they’re just too politically tricky.
Take immigration, for instance. Net migration is currently around 700,000 per year. I’d like to see it reduced to David Cameron’s target of tens of thousands. Achieving this would take real determination. Then there’s the issue of overcrowded prisons, which urgently need expansion. Add to that a criminal justice system in dire need of reform. And, inspired by Fraser Nelson’s recent Despatches programme for Channel 4, I’d propose a revamp of the benefits system to address the staggering three million people on long-term sickness benefits—many for mental health reasons.
Why not require recipients to take up work or accept reduced benefits? It’s a tough stance, but so is welfare reform—the hardest job in politics, narrowly followed by immigration. Lastly, I’d insist on new housing developments that respect beauty and local heritage, rather than sprawling, characterless estates. But let’s be realistic: none of this is going to happen.
Instead, Sir Keir has laid out six metrics by which we’re supposed to judge his government’s success:
- Bolster disposable household income.
- Ensure 92% of routine NHS operations and appointments are completed within 18 weeks by March 2029.
- Build 1.5 million homes by the end of the next parliament.
- Decarbonise electricity supplies by 2030.
- Raise the proportion of children “ready for school” at age five from 67% to 75%.
- Recruit 13,000 new police officers.
Some of these pledges are oddly specific. Take the NHS target: why 92%, and why 18 weeks? The numbers feel arbitrary, and it’s hard to imagine many voters getting excited about them. Then there’s the idea of making children “ready for school” by five—a problem most people weren’t even aware existed. As for putting more bobbies on the beat, it’s a tired promise that every Met Commissioner has made for decades, with little to show for it.
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There’s also the risk of competing priorities. If the NHS focuses on hitting its 92% target for routine operations, that could come at the expense of A&E services, which are already under immense strain. Instead of fixating on narrow goals, why not focus on improving the NHS’s overall efficiency and accountability?
Ultimately, these pledges feel like an exercise in political theatre rather than a serious roadmap for change. Sir Keir might have been better off simply promising to do a better job than the Tories—a low bar by most standards.
This isn’t to say that the milestones are entirely without merit. Boosting disposable income is a worthy aim, especially as many households struggle with rising rents and energy bills. Building more homes is also crucial, provided they respect local character and don’t descend into soulless estates. Decarbonising electricity supplies is both necessary and ambitious. But will any of this inspire voters? It seems unlikely.
Setting targets can make governments look busy, but they often miss the bigger picture. Sir Keir’s six pledges might tick the right boxes for Labour’s strategists, but they don’t address some of the most pressing issues facing the country. Come the next election, it will be up to the voters—not the politicians—to decide what really matters.
