Better times? Let’s see them
WE wake today to a new era after a political earthquake.
First let The Sun congratulate Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on the landslide majority voters have given him.
AFPVoters gave Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer a landslide majority[/caption]
When he addresses the nation later he is likely to have a majority to rival Tony Blair’s. He must use it wisely.
Sir Keir is in an unprecedented position — the winner by a huge margin, yet with the nation still unconvinced by him. He must change that.
His party, meanwhile, must not delude themselves that their triumph represents a national shift to the Left. It does not.
This was mainly a vote AGAINST the divided Tories. Labour must do as its leadership promises and govern from the centre ground.
For 14 years the party opposed the Tories at almost every point — from austerity after the financial crash, through Brexit to Covid and its aftermath.
All the problems they have ceaselessly highlighted are theirs now to solve.
If last night’s exit poll proves accurate the outgoing Tories have been crushed, to their lowest point in history. A host of senior figures have lost their seats.
It is an overwhelming rejection of a party which descended, after its own thumping win in 2019, into self-inflicted scandal, chaos and civil war.
Rishi Sunak, in his two years in No10, did well to right the economic mess he inherited, much of it caused by Covid and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
But it was a poisoned chalice and he has paid a predictable price. No one should fault his dedication as a public servant.
Right must unite with a new focus
Nigel Farage must be congratulated on his forecast win in Clacton and Reform’s projected victories elsewhere.
All those who back smaller Government, low taxes, free markets and freedom for businesses to thrive and create jobs must regroup with a new focus and united purpose — to challenge Labour and be ready to win again in five years.
Our two big hopes for Labour rest on the NHS, and the reforms Wes Streeting aims to spearhead, and the promised planning revolution to ease the pressure of our soaring population on a housing stock millions of homes short.
We remain worried about taxes surging ever higher, the vast welfare bill entrenched, legal and illegal immigration, the threat to Brexit, defence, woke teaching in schools, votes for children and the ruinous dash to Net Zero.
The Sun supported a change of Government yesterday and said Sir Keir deserved his chance.
While we wish Labour luck, we will scrutinise every decision and hold their feet to the fire.
This is a patriotic newspaper. We want Britain, and the Government of the day, to succeed.
Stable, moderate Government is vital for our readers and the foreign investors crucial to our economy.
Labour say better times are ahead.
Now they must prove it.