Health Secretary Wes Streeting has publicly defended the Labour government's recent series of policy U-turns, while simultaneously setting a goal for the administration to improve its initial decision-making.
'Feedback is the breakfast of champions'
Speaking at the Institute for Government (IfG) conference on Tuesday, Mr Streeting was questioned on whether the government's frequent changes of direction were hindering its progress. He responded by framing the reversals as a sign of a listening administration. "Feedback is the breakfast of champions," he stated. "We love to hear it and if people think we're getting it wrong - and we think that they're right - far better to do the right thing rather than to spare one's political blushes."
This defence comes amidst a notable cluster of policy shifts in recent months. The Treasury is currently assembling a support package for the pub industry following a backlash against a significant rise in business rates. Furthermore, the government has reversed decisions on cutting winter fuel payments for pensioners, rowed back on reductions to disability benefits, and softened planned inheritance tax increases on farms.
A New Year's resolution for 2026
Despite his robust defence of listening and adapting, Mr Streeting conceded that the ideal scenario would be to avoid the need for such reversals altogether. He pointed to an NHS initiative known as GIRFT, which stands for 'Get It Right First Time'. He suggested this should be the party's New Year's resolution for 2026, telling the audience: "Let's try and get it right first time."
In his speech, the Health Secretary also took aim at what he described as an "excuses culture" within some parts of the Labour movement. He criticised those who blame Whitehall civil servants or 'stakeholder capture' for political difficulties. "This excuses culture does the centre-left no favours," he argued. "If we tell the public that we can’t make anything work, then why on earth would they vote to keep us in charge?"
Broader criticisms of Whitehall power
Mr Streeting's comments are viewed as a veiled critique of figures like Sir Keir Starmer's former Downing Street aide, Paul Ovenden, who recently lamented a "weirdness" in the state apparatus holding the government back. Ovenden argued that a "Stakeholder State" had emasculated ministers.
This theme of centralised power was echoed by Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, at the same event. Mr Burnham accused Whitehall departments of "resisting" growth-driving devolution and called for sweeping reforms in Westminster. He claimed devolved mayors had to "fight endlessly" to implement policies and criticised government departments for working at cross-purposes.
"We see some that are taking contradictory positions within one department with a contradictory position against another or indeed, resisting actively the growth mission," Burnham said. He concluded that the unelected state in Whitehall currently holds too much power, and advocated for a major reform of Westminster to create a more functional, place-based system focused on growth.
