Editorial: Health transformation in the UK

This change was expected; it is necessary and should be welcomed. After 14 years of erratic Conservative government that accelerated the multiple challenges facing the country, Starmer and his New Labour party offer a more responsible and credible roadmap. Its promise of a responsible, realistic and modern centre-left is far from any populism and will turn Britain into a bastion of stability in Europe.

Labour will have 411 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons; an increase of 214. The Conservatives have fallen sharply from 373 to 121. The centrist Liberal Democrats have their best performance ever, winning 71 seats, consolidating their position as a third force. The Reform Party, from the far right, which has made visceral anti-immigration speeches, will enter parliament for the first time, led by its dramatic leader Nigel Farage.

His clear majority will allow Starmer to push hard on his government agenda. During the campaign he backed off the grandiose or extreme promises typical of his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn. A central aim will be to boost stagnant economic growth and weak productivity. Among other things, it will mean greater rapprochement with the business sector, which has traditionally been sceptical of Labour. So far, their reaction to the election result has been very positive.

If progress can be made on this task, the new government will create the conditions for addressing challenges at different levels. These include a crisis in the national health system, the restart of large frozen public works projects, the precariousness of university financing, housing shortages in several cities, and problems with water and sewage services. There are severe budget constraints and the capacity to raise taxes is almost exhausted given the high existing profit margins. For this reason, Starmer sought to lower expectations for an immediate solution and said that change is only just beginning.

There are two very significant challenges waiting for him. One is the deep discontent among voters and the loss of confidence in politicians and rulers. The other is dealing with relations with the European Union.

There have been a number of events during the Conservative government that have led to a loss of public confidence. These include the highly destructive campaign against the 2016 referendum that led to the UK abandoning the European Union, the poor management of the pandemic, the scandals surrounding some prime ministers and their incompetent economic management. Restoring confidence in the government’s performance will therefore be a slow and difficult process.

He has nearly two-thirds of legislative representation, a product of an electoral system based on single-member districts, which would give Starmer a solid political mandate. However, behind the numbers lies a more complex reality.

The Labour Party barely managed to secure 34% of the popular vote, but its influence was maximized as the Conservatives lost support compared to the Liberal Democrats and the Reform Party, which weakened the party from the center or the right in many strongholds. On the other hand, the Reform Party, although it gained only a few seats, won 14% of the popular vote. This will give its main representative Farage strong extra-parliamentary political activities.

Today, four years after leaving the EU, nearly 60% of Britons believe that Brexit 51.89% of people chose the referendum. The reasons are obvious: none of the promises made by those who pushed for Brexit have been fulfilled and the economic impact is very serious. Starmer reiterated that there is no turning back now. However, it is possible and necessary to give greater fluidity to the relationship with the EU, especially in the business sector.

The task facing the new government is daunting. The context in which it must act includes some risks and challenges. However, the course is fairly clear and reasonable; parliamentary control is strong; and the country’s resources and potential are enormous. All this bodes well for good times for Britain and Europe.