The Labour Party, under the leadership of Keir Starmer, has secured a decisive victory in last week’s general election, ending 14 years of Conservative power. With 411 seats, Labour has a strong mandate to implement its ambitious agenda. Starmer, in his victory speech, emphasised his commitment to serve and restore Britain to the service of working people.[1]
In this article, Brevia looks at what the first 100 days of a Labour Government might look like and what Labour’s priorities might be over this Parliament.
Early Priorities: Transport and Energy
Labour has already begun to outline its priorities or ‘missions’, particularly in the transport and energy sectors. The new Transport Secretary has announced the Department will focus on improving railway performance, enhancing bus services, transforming infrastructure to promote social mobility and regional equality, delivering greener transport solutions, and better integrating transport networks.[2] In the energy sector, Labour has said it plans to boost energy independence and reduce bills through clean power by 2030 by establishing Great British Energy, a publicly-owned clean energy company to cut energy costs, create jobs, and support the transition to renewable energy sources. They also plan to upgrade homes to reduce fuel poverty and reform the energy system to benefit consumers.[3]
Immediate Actions
Within the first 100 days, Labour plans to hold a global investment summit aimed at driving economic growth and inviting private sector participation in major government projects like Great British Energy. This summit will likely take place in early October and will focus on positioning the UK as a hub for clean energy investment and innovation.[4]
Another immediate legislative priority is likely to be the introduction of a New Deal for Working People, aimed at strengthening workers’ rights. Labour has pledged to introduce legislation within 100 days of entering government.[5] Labour is also expected to act swiftly on housing by abolishing Section 21 no-fault evictions, a commitment reiterated in their manifesto with a pledge for action on the first day in power, the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, promised to push through the ban in her inaugural speech to the Treasury.[6]
Reeves has also said the Labour government will reform the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), with a consultation to be published on a ‘new growth-focused approach to the planning system before the end of the month’.[7]
Labour’s manifesto promised that they would conduct an audit of the UK’s relationship with China. The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, had previously said that this would happen within Labour’s first 100 days, but this was not confirmed in the manifesto. Starmer said ‘One of the first things that we will do is carry out the audit that we set out in our manifesto of relations with China, of UK-Chinese relations’.[8]
Rwanda Scheme
Labour has already confirmed that it will cancel the Conservatives’ controversial Rwanda asylum plan and that it will redirect funds towards tackling the issue of illegal immigration at the source.[9] This includes setting up a new Border Security Command and a counter-terrorism unit to dismantle people-smuggling gangs.
Non-Dom Tax Loopholes
Labour plans to close non-dom tax loopholes, potentially raising an additional £2.6 billion, which would be used primarily for the NHS, education, and HMRC.[10] This initiative aims to fund measures such as recruiting 6,500 new teachers in key subjects where there are shortages, improving state education standards and introducing free breakfast clubs for all primary school children.[11]
NHS
On healthcare, Labour promises to drastically cut NHS waiting times by introducing 40,000 new appointments each week. The party have longer term plans for NHS reform but their immediate priority would be clearing the backlog and bringing down waiting lists. They will also need to deal with the junior doctor strikes and Health Secretary Wes Streeting has been cautious saying junior doctor pay rises would be a ‘journey not an event’ and that he would not agree to give them the full 35 per cent pay rise they are asking for.[12]
Longer-Term Goals
In its first year, Labour plans to conduct a Strategic Defence Review and introduce a new Energy Independence Act aimed at achieving a zero-carbon electricity system by 2030.[13] The party also aims to pass a Race Equality Act to address structural inequalities and a Football Governance Bill to establish an independent regulator for financial sustainability and fan representation in football.[14]
Additionally, Labour intends to carry out a 100-day review of threats facing Britain, enhance the powers of the Office for Budget Responsibility, and introduce a fiscal lock to ensure independent forecasting of significant tax and spending changes.[15] The party also aims to ban MPs from holding paid advisory or consultancy roles to prevent conflicts of interest.[16]
Conclusion
In conclusion, Labour has made numerous promises following its decisive victory, securing a strong mandate to implement its ambitious agenda. It will be interesting to see what the party delivers in its first 100 days and over the longer term, particularly in areas like transport, energy, workers’ rights, housing, and healthcare. With a clear vision and detailed plans, Labour aims to ‘change’ Britain but the coming months will reveal how effectively they can translate their commitments into tangible outcomes.
[1] BBC News, “We did it!’ Starmer’s speech to supporters in full’, July 2024, Link
[2] Department for Transport, ‘Transport Secretary sets out 5 key priorities to deliver the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation’, July 2024, Link
[3] Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, ‘Energy Secretary Ed Miliband sets out his priorities for the department’, July 2024, Link
[4] Sky News, ‘Labour to woo global investors at early October summit’, July 2024, Link
[5] Personnel Today, ‘Labour publishes plan to deliver New Deal for workers’, May 2024, Link
[6] Evening Standard, “A long overdue step’: Chancellor Rachel Reeves promises to ban no-fault evictions with end of section 21’, July 2024, Link
[7] The Planner, ‘Rachel Reeves: NPPF consultation due by the end of the month and onshore wind to be brought under NSIP regime’, July 2024, Link
[8] Evening Standard, ‘Starmer prepared for possibility of ‘robust challenge’ with China’, July 2024, Link
[9] BBC News, ‘Starmer confirms Rwanda deportation plan ‘dead’’, July 2024, Link
[10] The Independent, ‘Labour plans tax avoidance crackdown to fill ‘non-dom’ gap’, April 2024, Link
[11] BBC News, ‘Labour promises free breakfasts at primary school’, September 2022, Link
[12] The Standard, ‘Labour won’t give junior doctors full pay rise on day one, says Wes Streeting’, May 2024, Link
[13] Labour, ‘Change, Labour Party Manifesto 2024’, June 2024, Link
[14] Labour, ‘Change, Labour Party Manifesto 2024’, June 2024, Link
[15] Labour, ‘Change, Labour Party Manifesto 2024’, June 2024, Link
[16] Labour, ‘Change, Labour Party Manifesto 2024’, June 2024, Link
