Falconer, a Labour peer who held senior positions under Tony Blair, stated that the government lacks essential energy. He emphasized the importance of restoring this energy rather than pursuing a wider narrative or story, which is a common criticism of the government.
Without this reforming energy, Labour risks losing credit for its significant achievements from employment and renters’ rights to green energy and major infrastructure investments.
Falconer, who was a close adviser to Starmer and served in his first shadow cabinet, believes Starmer is the right leader for the party. However, he acknowledged that Labour’s first year resulted in a significant drop in confidence for ministers, which must be regained.
Falconer suggested that the government should learn from agenda-driven cabinet ministers such as Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband, and Shabana Mahmood on driving ideological change without apology in areas like housing, energy, and the justice system.
He expressed concern that the party’s best announcements are often missed or overshadowed and cited the example of a comprehensive health service plan that failed to make an impact on public consciousness.
Falconer stated that the government is actively working, but portrayed as stagnant, which is inaccurate.
The emergence of Jeremy Corbyn’s Your party and the popularity surge of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK demonstrates a public desire for a political movement with a clear identity.
Falconer stressed the importance of a tangible, identifiable political personality for Labour, without advocating for a shift to the right or left. He cited Tony Blair as an example of energetically progressive leadership.
He highlighted the government’s proactive and progressive initiatives, including the employment rights bill, renters’ rights bill, planning bill, and assisted dying legislation, and critiqued the government for under-promoting these efforts and appearing overly influenced by financial market concerns.
Falconer advised against leadership change and endorsed Starmer, pointing out that the public recognizes him as the best leader for the party. He also praised several cabinet members for their confident and proactive approaches to their respective agendas.
Falconer concluded that the government’s ability to maintain a strong reforming agenda and not be paralyzed by financial market concerns is crucial for its success and that a listless government would adversely affect political confidence and effectiveness.
