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AAs the new year begins, the debate about Britain’s future continues, with growing concerns about the economy, public services and political leadership.
As Keir Starmer navigates his role as Labor leader, debates over taxation, relations with the EU and the state of the NHS continue, with many hoping for a change to the status quo in 2025.
When we asked what you wanted a Labor government to focus on this year, many hoped Starmer could lead a return to the EU’s single market to stabilize the economy and rebuild international ties, while others highlighted the need to tackle pressing domestic issues such as are NHS reform, investment policy infrastructure and immigration.
Some have called for bold action on nationalization and greater transparency of state spending. Meanwhile, others have expressed frustration with Labour’s approach to green policy, pensions and public accountability.
Here’s what you had to say about the way forward:
A comprehensive overview of taxation and policy
We need to see a properly thought out review of corporate and individual taxation. This should treat all income from all sources in the same way, based on a scale starting at 0% for living wage earners and increasing by 10% for each multiple of that income, with additional means-tested allowances for children and carers census.
We need to reconsider what we expect the government to finance through services and benefits, and what exactly the funds should invest directly in. Policy revision should deal with goals, not actions, be legally enforceable and drastically reduce the number of civil servants who do not provide services economically and on time.
On the economy: rejoin the Customs Union and Single Market, forget about making trade deals with faraway countries with cheap labor, rich resources, and establish a rational asylum and refugee system. Migration should be limited to basic workers.
Achieving some consensus and stability, while ending trivial interventions that limit freedoms, does not seem to be on Sir Keir’s agenda.
—Topsham1
Solving the nation’s crisis
Be honest about the state of the country and its finances. I know it’s a difficult task for politicians, but the British respond well to national crises, and we have them right now.
- Fix the NHS.
- Fix the transportation mess; re-nationalize the profit-driven railway industry.
- Return utilities to public ownership as basic services.
- Ditch HS2 and invest in better value infrastructure projects, especially schools.
- Reset economic relations with the EU – and fast.
- Rebuild our armed forces for the coming conflict across Europe.
- Put competent people in charge of these goals, not ministers looking for photo ops.
Stop the nonsense about lack of money. As an economy, we generate huge amounts of money – the issue is transparency and accountability. Be strong and be firm. I know it’s Starmer, but we can hope, right?
—captaintripps
Hope for Scottish independence
The only thing that could make this Labor government worthwhile is to bring us back into the EU in a form that allows for trade and freedom of travel. I don’t recognize any positives from them, even if they replaced Starmer. It will not improve the English economy and it is persecuting pensioners and the disabled.
Luckily I’m Scottish and I’m looking forward to independence, hopefully in 2025. I hope there will be enough money left for reparations for our stolen wealth, which has been squandered.
— Smart dishes
Back to basics
Ensure that everyone in the UK has enough food, clothing and shelter, and that the NHS and education can provide the services that society demands. Institute of public spending as a percentage of GDP. Tax everyone equally, with a basic tax rate for everyone above the minimum income and no extras. Those with excessive incomes may pay additional taxes after benefits.
Unused assets should be placed under the control of local authorities for social use. Any utility that needs government money needs to hand over capital funds in return.
That could be a start. The numbers are, of course, up for debate.
—WinstonSmith2
Work failures and environmental impact
This Labor government is no different to any other Labor government in my long life. They are incompetent in every way and make our situation worse. They encourage legal and illegal immigration, which consumes scarce resources such as housing and hospital beds.
They show no respect for our green fields and environment, which are being destroyed at an alarming rate. This will have a huge cost to our health and well-being. I feel sorry for our children, who will inherit a failed country because of Labour’s mistakes. There will be no green and pleasant land left for them, because everything will be covered with bricks and asphalt so that the immigrants can settle.
—Tafmac
Compensation for women denied state pensions
Compensation is owed to women born in the 1950s who were denied their state pension for up to six years without notice. The Financial Ombudsman found mismanagement and recommended compensation. This raised £181 billion – there is no excuse not to compensate this group of women.
—DJH58
Bring back HS2 and fix communications
Bring back HS2 in full. Build a much closer relationship with the EU, including a youth exchange scheme. Address the challenges posed by water privatization. Certain breakthroughs in Covid corruption investigation, leading to convictions.
Most importantly, communicate consistently about what the government is doing, why and how it is improving the lives of constituents. Communication is a glaring weakness of this government – address it urgently.
—Carnabyswhiskers
Britain’s economic future is bleak
Since the UK severed its link with the world’s largest tariff-free single market, its economic future has become bleak. Without access to competitive markets, the outlook is almost certain to end in decline.
Discussions about policies or investment plans are meaningless for a country that cannot finance its bills. This is not only my judgment, but also the assessment of international financial markets. British living standards will fall again this year, further proving the country’s uneconomic viability.
Within a few months, the UK will have to look to the IMF or international loans to support its economy, in my opinion. Honesty on the part of the government about the real position would at least show some integrity.
—Issued-Brit
Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity. You can read the full discussion in the comments section of the original article here.
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