When Labour stormed to victory in the UK general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule, even veteran political commentator John Crace felt relief. “Finally,” he wrote in The Guardian, “the grownups are back in charge.” But as the initial euphoria fades, Labour’s early governance has left supporters like Crace questioning whether the party is delivering change—or repeating Tory mistakes.
The Promise of Competence
Labour campaigned on change, positioning itself as the antidote to Tory chaos. For Crace, the win felt like “waking up from a long, bad dream.” Yet within weeks, cracks emerged. The government’s hardline stance on public sector pay disputes—echoing Conservative rhetoric—left Crace disillusioned: “I expected empathy, not austerity-lite.”
The Ghosts of New Labour
Starmer’s Labour has distanced itself from Jeremy Corbyn’s left-wing agenda, embracing centrism. But critics argue this shift sacrifices progressive ideals. Retaining the two-child benefit cap sparked backlash, and Crace lamented the lack of bold reforms: “Where’s the ambition? The vision?” While parallels to Tony Blair exist, Starmer risks being seen as a caretaker, not a changemaker.
Trapped in Tory Frameworks
Labour’s reluctance to break from Conservative policies—on immigration, NHS funding, and even the Rwanda scheme—has frustrated progressives. “It’s as if they’re afraid to govern,” Crace remarked. Voters expected sweeping reversals, not minor tweaks.
A Reality Check for Labour’s Base
Beyond policy, Crace critiques Labour’s muddled messaging. Starmer’s emphasis on “stability” sounds like inaction, while sidelining left-wing voices hints at undemocratic tendencies. “I expected adults in the room,” Crace wrote. “Instead, I see a party terrified of its own shadow.”
What Comes Next?
With a massive majority, Starmer has the mandate to act boldly. But Crace’s disillusionment mirrors wider left-wing anxiety: will Labour deliver transformative change, or is this just Tory rule under a red banner?
As Crace put it: “Winning was the easy part. Governing? That’s where the real work begins.”
For now, supporters are left wondering: Is this the change we voted for?
