Change Labor Party: First Steps and Vision for the Future

Key Messages from the Lecture

Mandate and Responsibility

• The Labor Party won a mandate to deliver change and govern differently.
• It is both a mandate for governance and a mandate that puts trust in the party to change the country.
• Emphasis on the expectation to deliver on promises.

Actions Taken Post-Election

• Cabinet Appointments:
  • Cabinet appointed and sworn in at the Privy Council.
  • First Labor government cabinet meeting held to discuss standards, delivery, and public trust.
• Discussions with Independent Advisor on Standards – to ensure ethical governance.
• Mission Delivery:
  • Plans from the manifesto to be monitored by Mission Delivery Boards chaired by the Prime Minister.
  • Focus on actions over words.

Plans for the Near Future

• Engagement with All Four Nations:
  • Visits to Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and England to meet first ministers and establish better working relationships.
• Economic Growth:
  • Driving growth across all regions with an inclusive approach (including non-Labor Metro Mayors).
  • Emphasis on pushing power and resources out of Whitehall.

International Relations

• NATO Summit Preparation:
  • Emphasis on security and defense as the government's first duty.
  • Unwavering support for NATO and Ukraine.

Press Conference Highlights

• Commitment to Immediate Action:
  • Indicated readiness and extensive preparations over the past months to hit the ground running.
  • Emphasis on service, with a country-first, party-second approach.
• Handling Tough Decisions:
  • Preparedness to take tough and early decisions with raw honesty, particularly in broken systems like the NHS and prisons.
• Inclusive Governance:
  • Government to serve even those who did not vote for Labor.
  • Aim to work collaboratively with other elected officials regardless of political affiliation.

Q&A Session

• First Concrete Change:
  • Change in the mindset of the government: service to the country with a country-first, party-second principle.
• Perception of Victory and Mandate:
  • Response to the exit poll and confidence in the mandate received.
  • Clear commitment to governing for all, including those who did not vote for Labor.
• Tough Decisions and Tax:
  • Acknowledgement of the need for tough decisions without hinting at specific tax changes.

Conclusion

• Focus on Service:
  • Repeated emphasis on servant leadership, collaboration, and honest governance.
• Preparedness and Action:
  • The groundwork laid in the past months to ensure swift implementation of plans.
• Unity and General Governance:
  • Striving for unity and practical solutions beyond party politics.

End of Notes