Sir Keir Starmer's government has executed another significant policy reversal, abandoning plans for a compulsory digital identity scheme. This marks the eighth major U-turn since the Prime Minister took office, reigniting fierce political debate over his administration's direction and resolve.
The Policy Reversal and Political Fallout
The decision to roll back a key part of the digital ID plans, initially touted as a measure to tackle illegal working, was confirmed overnight. The move has provided immediate ammunition for the opposition, with Conservative figures quick to condemn the change.
Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the Opposition, swiftly responded, stating: "The Prime Minister is 'turning the corner'... straight into another U-turn. Good riddance. It was a terrible policy anyway." Her shadow Cabinet Office minister, Mike Wood, added that while scrapping mandatory identification was welcome, it represented "yet another humiliating U-turn from the Government."
Wood accused Sir Keir of "spinelessness" that was "becoming a pattern, not an exception," arguing the policy was now set to become "another costly, ill-thought-out experiment abandoned at the first sign of pressure from Labour’s backbenches."
The 'Barnacles Off the Boat' Strategy Debate
The reversal has sparked a wider discussion about political strategy. Commentators have drawn parallels with Lynton Crosby's famed "barnacles off the boat" approach, used by the Conservatives in the 2010 and 2015 elections to shed unpopular policies and sharpen their core electoral message.
This classic justification for U-turns – taking a short-term hit to ditch a policy that hinders longer-term appeal – was challenged by policy expert Sam Freedman. In a social media exchange with Guardian journalist Pippa Crerar, Freedman argued: "Unfortunately to make this strategy work you need a boat." His point suggested that ditching unpopular policies is ineffective if the public remains unclear about the government's core, popular agenda.
Sir Keir would contend his 'boat' is a focus on reducing the cost of living, a message he reinforced to cabinet yesterday. However, concerns persist among Labour MPs that this central plank has either failed to cut through with voters or lacks sufficient impact.
A Packed Political Agenda for the Day
The fallout from this latest policy shift will feed directly into a busy day at Westminster. At noon, Sir Keir Starmer will face Kemi Badenoch across the dispatch box for Prime Minister's Questions, where the U-turn is certain to be a central topic.
Later, after 12.30pm, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will address MPs regarding West Midlands Police. She will present findings from a police inspectorate inquiry into the force's decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a match against Aston Villa last year. Chief Constable Craig Guildford faces accusations of misleading MPs about the intelligence behind the ban, and speculation is rife that Ms Mahmood may declare she has lost confidence in him, despite lacking the direct power to dismiss him.
At 2pm, Chancellor Rachel Reeves will travel to Leeds to confirm plans to revive the Northern Powerhouse Rail project, signalling a major infrastructure commitment.
