Labour Should Admit to Some Hard Fiscal Truths
The government needs to be more honest with voters about the economic challenges Britain faces.
Rachel Reeves and her Labour government need to come clean with voters about the economic challenges Britain faces.
Photographer: Carl Court/Getty Images
British voters value honesty in a politician above all else. Or at least that’s what they tell the pollsters. When asked in one recent survey to “imagine that a future Prime Minister has to choose between acting honestly and delivering the policy that most people want,” 71% chose honesty and only 16% delivery.
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves might beg to differ. In July, she said the country couldn’t afford the “free” winter-fuel allowance for all pensioners — billionaires and those on the breadline alike. Immediately, her personal popularity ratings and those of her government began their dizzying descent. According to a YouGov survey last week, only 12% think she’s doing a good job, while a whopping 71% percent says Labour is doing nothing to improve their lives.