Sir Keir Starmer's government has executed another significant policy reversal, abandoning plans for a compulsory digital identification scheme. The move marks the eighth major U-turn since the Prime Minister took office, reigniting fierce political debate about 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 follows a pattern of significant policy shifts that opposition parties are quick to label as evidence of weakness. The proposal, initially presented as a tough measure to tackle illegal working, has been scrapped following pressure from Labour's own backbenchers.
Conservative figures wasted no time in criticising the move. Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the Opposition, stated: "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, accused Starmer of "spinelessness" becoming a pattern rather than an exception.
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Lisa Smart offered a more colourful critique, suggesting Number 10 must be "bulk ordering motion sickness tablets at this rate to cope with all their U-turns." She condemned the original proposal as doomed to failure and a waste of taxpayer money.
The Strategic Debate: Barnacles and Boats
The political conversation surrounding these reversals was captured in an online exchange between Guardian journalist Pippa Crerar and policy expert Sam Freedman. Crerar referenced Lynton Crosby's famous "barnacles off the boat" strategy, used successfully by the Conservatives in the 2010 and 2015 elections, where unpopular policies are jettisoned to improve electoral appeal.
However, Freedman offered a crucial counterpoint, replying: "Unfortunately to make this strategy work you need a boat." His argument suggests that ditching unpopular policies is ineffective if the public cannot identify the government's core, popular agenda. While Starmer would argue his "boat" is focused on reducing the cost of living, some Labour MPs fear this message has not cut through with voters.
Today's Political Agenda
The controversy sets the stage for a charged Prime Minister's Questions at noon, where Starmer will face Badenoch directly across the dispatch box.
Later, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will make a statement to MPs concerning West Midlands Police and their support for banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a match against Aston Villa last year. She will present findings from a police inspectorate inquiry, with speculation that she may express a loss of confidence in Chief Constable Craig Guildford, who has been accused of misleading MPs.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is also scheduled to confirm plans to revive the Northern Powerhouse Rail project at an event in Leeds at 2pm.
