Governments do not usually need a reset after barely 12 weeks in office. But Britain’s Labour party went into what ought to have been a celebratory conference this week with its approval ratings, and consumer confidence, both tumbling thanks to political mis-steps and excessively gloomy messaging since its landslide victory in July. Speeches that were somewhat more upbeat and sure-footed from chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer may help to stabilise the government. More work lies ahead, however, to get its project back on the rails.
The first step must be for Starmer to “take back control” — and bring to government the discipline that defined Labour’s election campaign. Vacancies in key Downing Street positions should be quickly filled. The prime minister needs a capable and trusted top team to begin serious policy delivery and make nimbler political judgments. Ministers may deem the recent furore over accepting “freebies” such as clothing a petty issue, especially after Tory-era excesses. But they underestimated the damage to public perceptions.