How 4th July 2024 could be a new start for British politics

I was tempted to crowbar a "new independence day" reference into the title, but it was just a bit too cringy - plus I'm not sure referencing US politics is really the direction I would want us to take over here (at least any more than we already have).

So Rishi has finally accepted the inevitable and that now is as good a time as any to cede power... in all honesty I half expected that the 'surprise' election rumours might be a cover for a 'surprise' resignation speech, but I guess that would be too ludicrous even for this iteration of the Conservative/UKIP party.

I know six weeks is a long, long time in politics, but all the same I can't see any route to him retaining power, short of some improbable revelations about Sir Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and a Liz Truss branded lettuce. So, assuming that Sir Keir and Labour are a shoo-in, what should be his key priorities once in office?

He has of course already announced his mixed bag of "six pledges":

1. Deliver economic stability

2. Cut NHS waiting times

3. Launch a new Border Security Command

4. Set up Great British Energy

5. Crackdown on antisocial behaviour

6. Recruit 6,500 new teachers

Although issued before today's election announcement, these were clearly intended as a mini-manifesto, and so we must assume they are what Labour think the electorate are most interested in. Personally, while I think that some of these are reasonable, others not so much, I don't think they include anywhere what should be Labour's main priority: restoring accountability and trust in UK politics.

Before I get to that I would like to take a quick look at the six pledges, and why I think they underwhelm:

1. Deliver economic stability - a thinly veiled dig at the 49 days of Truss inspired chaos, but little more than that. Is there any political party that would campaign on a pledge of bringing economic instability?
   

2. Cut NHS waiting times - again, while it makes sense to include the NHS as a priority, would anybody campaign on a pledge to extend waiting times? It is also comparatively vague when you consider pledge 6. Why not commit to recruiting x number of new doctors / nurses / surgeons, or to settle the pay dispute and improve working conditions to retain potential leavers?

3. Launch a new Border Security Command - an attempt to cover off the Rwanda inspired voters, a political cul-de-sac that should have been regarded as a red herring. In any case , there are already resources in place that could provide a similar solution, and this just isn't the priority the media and Conservatives pretend it is.

4. Set up Great British Energy - nationalisation without the controversy, this is actually an inspired proposal.

5. Crackdown on antisocial behaviour - this is the one I found most confusing (not that I disagree with it), but it feels like a vague, politically opportunistic slogan, when there isn't a widespread call for it. It is tied to a specific promise of 13,000 new neighbourhood police officers, which is not how I would choose to allocate additional police funding just now.

6. Recruit 6,500 new teachers - a bold pledge, although not linked to a specific timescale, and until you fix school funding and working conditions is akin to topping up a bucket with a hole in it - the water will flow out almost as fast as it is added.

So two are vague, three are simply stating the obvious, two (possibly three) are included mainly as a dig at the current government, three are addressing the symptoms of issues rather than the cause, and only one is offering a fresh approach and leadership on a key issue. None of them directly address the lack of accountability and trust in UK politics (or the looming climate emergency for that matter), although Great British Energy is a proposal that would at least undo some of the causes of anger with and allegations of corruption and incompetence levelled at today's government.

If I was making six pledges with the expectation of assuming power, I would want to make some changes that can be implemented effectively, quickly and clearly, and with a clear purpose, and some that could have a fundamental impact on how we are governed and seen to be governed.

1. Set up Great British Energy and Great British Water - a good idea is still a good idea, even if you didn't come up with it yourself!

2. Set up independent enquiries into Covid fraud, foreign election interference, MP misconduct and Brexit (the referendum process and campaigns, as well as the negotiations, and preparation for and implementation of it) - the intention of this is to hold any unethical or illegal behaviour to account, to understand and learn from the events, and to reclaim fraudulently obtained public funds.

3. Introduce new, stricter controls on print and broadcast media - to improve transparency, honesty, rigour and independence, and allow for swifter and greater penalties for breaching these restrictions.

4. Rescind new oil and gas exploration licences, and commission additional renewable energy projects - a clear statement of environmental intent, and that we are not beholden to oil and gas lobbyists.

5. Make a fair offer to settle the NHS pay dispute and improve working conditions for staff - another statement of intent on the NHS that will make an immediate difference to front line staff.
   

6. Issue a new, stricter, clearer Code of Conduct for MPs with minimum standards of behaviour and aggressive sanctions - those who represent us in government and opposition should be held to the highest standards.

There were two or three others I would have liked to add, but let me know what you think. What would be your "six pledges", and why?