Latest U-Turn
Latest U-Turn

All 30 Keir Starmer's Contradictions And Broken Promises

Keir Starmer's political pledges are unraveling! He's backtracked on almost every promise. This collection of contradictions and broken promises reveals a pattern of political deceit. It's time to hold Starmer accountable for his U-turns and demand the truth.

31/31

04/07/2024

1. Increase income tax for the top 5% of earners:

During his 2020 leadership bid, Starmer committed to economic justice by increasing income tax for the top 5% of earners, among others. This pledge was part of a broader vision to uphold Labour’s values and address inequality. However, fast forward to 2024 and Starmer has indicated that Labour’s manifesto will not necessitate tax rises, focusing instead on economic growth as the primary mission.

2. Abolish Universal Credit:

In a bold statement, Keir Starmer unequivocally called for the scrapping of Universal Credit and the establishment of a new system. He also highlighted the immediate necessity to halt the government's planned cut to Universal Credit, emphasizing the adverse effects on millions of families. But, two exact years later, and the narrative from within the Labour Party appears to have evolved when Jonathan Ashworth acknowledged the concept behind Universal Credit as fundamentally sound, emphasizing the need for substantial reform rather than a complete abolition.

3. Create a £28 billion "Green New Deal":

In 2021, during a Labour Conference, Rachel Reeves, with full support from Keir Starmer, announced a sweeping plan for the UK's green transition. Reeves declared, "I can announce today Labour's climate investment pledge: an additional 28 billion pounds of capital investment in our country's green transition for each and every year of this decade...". Fast forward to 2024, Keir Starmer, now leader of the Labour Party, significantly walked back on this pledge stating: "The reason for that is because since we announced the 28 billion, the Tories have done terrible damage to our economy..."

4. Introduce a Prevention of Military Intervention Act:

In 2020, Starmer vowed to introduce a Prevention of Military Intervention Act. This legislation aimed to ensure that any military action undertaken by the UK government would require the explicit consent of the Commons, thereby preventing the nation from engaging in “illegal wars.” However, his declarations in 2024 starkly contrast with these promises as Starmer’s endorsement of airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen, conducted without prior parliamentary approval, signals a significant departure from his earlier stance.

5. Nationalisation of Utilities:

In 2020, Keir Starmer captured the hopes of many Labour supporters with a bold pledge to nationalise key public services, including rail, mail, energy, and water. But just by September 2021, Starmer had explicitly ruled out nationalising the big six energy companies and the final nail in the coffin came in July 2022 when his Shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, declared that Labour had abandoned its nationalisation plans altogether.

6. Defend free movement:

As the Labour party leader, Starmer's initial pledge to "defend free movement as we leave the EU" was a cornerstone of his campaign. But by 2022, Starmer had made a dramatic U-turn on this, ruling out the return of free movement for EU citizens. In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, Starmer emphasized that freedom of movement was a "red line" he would not cross, citing the impracticality of a Swiss-style deal for Britain. His rationale? Maintaining the integrity of the Brexit deal made by the Conservative party.

7. Abolish the House of Lords:

Initially, Starmer's stance appeared resolute. He repeatedly reaffirmed his commitment to abolish the House of Lords, including a notable reaffirmation in November 2022 (Sources). This strong rhetoric suggested that Labour was serious about overhauling one of the UK's most antiquated institutions. Yet, as time went on, cracks began to show in this seemingly steadfast position.

In June 2023, a spokesperson for Starmer hinted at a shift in Labour's approach, suggesting that the party might appoint new peers to the chamber, a move that seemed contradictory to the abolition pledge. This was further compounded by Labour's Shadow Leader of the House, Thangam Debbonaire, who admitted in 2023 that the plans to abolish the Lords were likely to be delayed, acknowledging that constitutional change is a slow and draining process.

8. Reverse cuts in corporation tax:

In 2020, Starmer committed to reversing the Conservative cuts to corporation tax, a move designed to ensure the wealthiest entities paid their fair share and to clamp down on tax avoidance. By 2024 the narrative shifted dramatically as Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves declared that Labour will cap corporation tax at 25%, with the possibility of reducing it further to enhance "competitiveness."

9. Abolition of tuition fees:

One of the key pledges of Starmer was to abolish tuition fees, a commitment that echoed Labour's manifestos in the 2020 elections. However, Starmer has indicated that Labour would move on from this commitment. Citing the country's current financial situation, he highlighted the estimated £6 billion annual cost of abolishing tuition fees as a prohibitive factor.

10. Clean Air Act to tackle pollution locally (ULEZ):

London’s Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan has been a staunch advocate for expanding the ULEZ, a policy aimed at reducing air pollution by charging older, more polluting vehicles a daily fee of £12.50. In December 2022, Starmer backed Khan’s plan to expand the ULEZ. However, as the Uxbridge by-election approached, Starmer’s stance began to waver and, siding with his candidate Danny Beales, who called for a delay to the ULEZ expansion, Starmer’s support for the policy became lukewarm.

11. Scrap the Two-Child Benefit cap:

In 2020, Starmer made clear his desire to abolish the cruel two-child limit. Yet, despite the clear moral imperative, his own previous commitments and the comments of his own party, Starmer backtracked on this in 2023, stating that Labour will not reverse this policy.

12. Remove the charitable status of private schools:

In a significant policy shift, the Labour Party has decided to retain the charitable status of private schools. Earlier this year, 2024, Labour's shadow education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, and shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, both advocated for ending the charitable status of private schools. However, Labour now plans to impose VAT on private schools and end their business rates relief, while other tax breaks associated with charitable status will remain.

13. Contradiction - Ceasefire in Gaza:

In the wake of Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel, Gaza's conflict escalated rapidly. Initially, Starmer resisted calls for an immediate ceasefire, sparking internal turmoil and this crisis peaked in November 2023 when ten Labour members resigned to vote for an SNP motion demanding a ceasefire. After that, Starmer's stance evolved; after a month of party division, he aligned with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, advocating for a "sustainable" ceasefire. This shift was seen as a necessary correction, albeit one that came under considerable internal and external pressure.

14. Introduce a Wealth Tax:

In a reversal of their previous stance, the Labour Party has firmly ruled out the introduction of a wealth tax. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves affirmed in 2023, “we have no plans for a wealth tax,” during an interview with the Sunday Telegraph.

This statement marks a significant departure from her 2021 declaration that “people who get their income through wealth should have to pay more,” targeting incomes derived from stocks, shares, and buy-to-let properties.

15. Nationalisation of Utilities - Energy:

During his 2020 leadership campaign, Keir Starmer committed to the nationalisation of rail, mail, energy, and water. However, Starmer's stance shifted after he became Labour leader by ruling out nationalisation, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and pragmatic solutions over ideological commitments.

16. Right to Roam:

The Labour Party initially pledged to introduce a Scottish-style right to roam law in England. The announcement by shadow environment minister Alex Sobel, during a debate led by Green MP Caroline Lucas, underscored Labour's initial commitment to replacing the "default of exclusion with a default of access". However, the abandonment of this policy in 2023 marks a significant setback for progressive environmental reform.

17. End outsourcing in the NHS:

In a not-so-surprising turnaround, Starmer also announced a shift in his stance on NHS outsourcing. We have to remember that during his leadership campaign for Labour leadership in 2020, Starmer committed to abolishing the use of external private providers in the NHS. But, in 2023, Starmer revealed plans to utilize the private sector more “effectively” within the NHS if he becomes PM.

18. Right to self-identification:

In a move that has left many within the LGBTQ+ community feeling betrayed, the Labour Party decided against introducing a self-identification (self-ID) system for legal gender change. This shift comes despite earlier assurances (2021) from leader Sir Keir Starmer that such a system would be implemented if Labour came to power.

19. Reinstate cap on bankers' bonuses:

In a departure from its earlier position, Labour abandoned its opposition to lifting the cap on bankers' bonuses. The controversy came to a head when the BBC's business editor, Simon Jack, pointedly reminded Reeves of her critical tweet from October 2023, where she criticized the government for ending the cap on bankers' bonuses. Reeves' defense of the U-turn was centered around the need for stability in business. She argued that "the last thing we need is more chopping and changing".

20. Contradiction - Backing Israel on withholding humanitarian aid:

In October 2023, during an interview with Nick Ferrari, Keir Starmer unequivocally labeled Hamas' actions as terrorism and affirmed Israel's right to defend itself. However, months later, Starmer found himself in a position where he needed to clarify his remarks due to backlash from Labour councillors and addressing the criticism, Starmer reiterated Israel's "right to self-defence" but clarified that this right did not extend to withholding humanitarian aid to Gaza.

21. Scrap Lifetime Allowance:

Initially, the party had committed to bringing back the pensions lifetime allowance, which imposed a tax on pension pots exceeding £1.07 million. The cap was abolished in April, but Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves had strongly advocated for its reinstatement, arguing it could generate £800 million annually. However, just ahead of its manifesto release, Labour reversed this position, citing concerns about the complexity and uncertainty the cap would create for savers.

22. Halt arm sales to Saudi Arabia:

In 2020, Keir Starmer took a firm stance against the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia due to concerns over their use in the Yemen civil war. In a tweet, he clearly supported Jo Stevens on this matter.

However, on a recent appearance on the Laura Kuenssberg program, Starmer's stance appeared less definitive. When questioned about the issue, he reiterated his commitment to reviewing all arms sales but stopped short of confirming whether this would include a halt in sales to Saudi Arabia. He stated, “We will review the situation and the review will give us the answers to those questions,” refusing to give a clear "yes" or "no" answer.

23. Nationalisation of Utilities - Rail:

In 2024, the Labour Party declared its commitment to fully nationalise the UK train network within five years if elected, promising the most affordable fares as part of “the biggest reform of our railways for a generation.”

This pledge marks a return to a more traditional Labour vision that Keir Starmer championed during his 2020 leadership campaign. However, this bold promise is shadowed by a significant contradiction. In 2021, just a year after his leadership campaign, Starmer stated that he had never advocated for the nationalisation of the railways.

24. Reinstate the DFID:

Initially, Starmer pledged to restore DfID, a department dissolved by Boris Johnson in 2020, labeling it a "giant cashpoint in the sky”. In an unequivocal commitment made on "The Rest is Politics" podcast, Starmer emphasized the necessity of a dedicated department to address global issues, describing the abolition of DfID as "totally misguided".

However, recent developments reveal a shift in Labour's approach. Party officials have indicated that re-establishing DfID is merely one of several options under consideration. David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, is reportedly advocating for maintaining aid spending within the Foreign Office, albeit under a distinct agency with its own leadership.

25. Give full voting rights for EU nationals:

In 2020, Starmer had promised to grant voting rights to all EU citizens with "settled status" as part of his leadership campaign, aiming to appeal to the party’s pro-remain membership. This resonated with many, given that there are currently 3.4 million EU nationals in Britain with settled status and another 2.6 million with pre-settled status.

However, recent clarifications from Labour officials have revealed a more nuanced approach. The policy, set to be featured in Labour’s upcoming manifesto, will not apply universally to all EU nationals. Instead, it will be limited to those who have paid taxes in Britain for several years. Furthermore, the policy's implementation hinges on reciprocal agreements with EU countries, adding another layer of complexity and potential limitation.

26. Ban Zero Hour Contracts:

Labour has long championed workers' rights, with a particular focus on eliminating the precarious nature of zero-hours contracts. The promise was clear: exploitative zero-hours contracts would be banned, and every worker would have the right to a contract reflecting the number of hours they regularly work, based on a 12-week reference period.

However, recent developments reveal a significant shift in Labour's approach. The party's "new deal for workers" no longer includes a complete ban on zero-hours contracts. Instead, the revised proposals allow employees to choose a zero-hours option, despite the initial pledge to eliminate such contracts entirely. This change has prompted fears that workers could be unduly pressured by employers to remain on zero-hours contracts, thus undermining the intended protections.

27. Remain in the EU Customs Union:

Back in 2018, Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary at the time, suggested that the UK should remain in the Customs Union and attempt to negotiate a new form of single market membership. Starmer was clear that Britain would leave the EU, dismissing the idea of another referendum as "not viable." However, he also emphasized that the option of retaining UK membership of the EU Customs Union "should be left on the table."

Fast forward to 2022, and the Labour Party's position on Brexit had taken a significant turn. Now, Starmer categorically ruled out rejoining the EU, single market, or customs union.

28. Introduce Rent Control:

In September 2022, Lisa Nandy, Labour’s shadow communities secretary, expressed strong support for giving local authorities the power to freeze rents. At the Labour Party conference, she stated, “Local mayors and council leaders should be able to make decisions to freeze rent increases in their local areas over the winter. And I’ve asked my team to look at that to see if we can work that up into a workable proposal. I think doing nothing is not an option.”

However, by 2023, Nandy had dramatically shifted her position. Speaking at the Housing 2023 gathering of industry professionals, she dismissed the idea of rent controls as a “sticking plaster” that could exacerbate homelessness.

29: Support for Jeremy Corbyn:

Back in 2020, Starmer's victory speech was filled with acknowledgments and thanks towards Corbyn. He described Corbyn as a "friend" and pledged his support to continue the legacy. However, fast forward to 2023, and the tone has drastically changed. When questioned on LBC Radio about his relationship with Corbyn, Starmer distanced himself, stating, "No, not in the sense that we went to visit each other or anything like that. I worked with him as a colleague. As I say, I haven’t spoken to him now for two-and-a-half years."

30. Support for previous Labour manifestos:

In 2020, during his campaign to become the Labour Party leader, Starmer emphasized unity and the need to move past internal divisions. Speaking at his campaign launch in Manchester, he stressed, "Factionalism has to go" if Labour were to recover from its electoral defeat. He acknowledged the significant steps taken by Corbyn's leadership, particularly in making Labour a party that actively fought against austerity.

Fast forward to 2024, and Starmer's rhetoric has notably changed. In a recent statement, he accused the Conservatives of producing a "Jeremy Corbyn style manifesto." He criticized the Tories for proposing policies without clearly outlining how they would be funded, likening their approach to that of Corbyn's ambitious 2019 manifesto, which included extensive promises such as free broadband for all and the nationalisation of key industries like energy and water.

31/31: All 30 Keir Starmer's Contradictions And Broken Promises

Keir Starmer's political pledges are unraveling! He's backtracked on almost every promise. This collection of contradictions and broken promises reveals a pattern of political deceit.

7/4/202413 min read

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