Written by Chesterfield’s Labour MP Toby Perkins strongly defended the government’s performance during an appearance on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, arguing that Keir Starmer and his ministers were taking the right approach across a range of policy areas and rejecting criticism from opposition parties.
Speaking during the programme, Perkins said he believed the Labour government was “doing everything right” in its efforts to tackle the country’s challenges, pointing to measures on public services, economic growth and living standards.
Where Perkins failed to grasp reality was on immigration and the economy claiming net migration is down and passing this off as a good thing and that Labour had created the fastest growing economy among the G7 member states. Whilst net migration is indeed down his comments only glossed over a seriously perilous situation.
Immigration of people arriving on work visas were down as the number of international students arriving with their dependents which comes as a result of a Conservative measure to cut the entry of dependents accompanying students in their last term. Emigration, people leaving the country, saw a dramatic increase especially among 18–25-year-olds.
Claims about the fastest growing economy can also be seen as a false positive too due to the Labour government inheriting the fastest growing economy from the Tories. Growth remains weak by historical standards. Most forecasters expect UK GDP growth of only about 0.8%–1.1%, The economy actually contracted by 0.1% in April, showing how fragile growth remains, Unemployment has been edging higher, with forecasts generally expecting it to reach around 5.2%–5.5%, and Business investment is weak, and employers report concerns about costs and uncertain demand.
However, this didn’t stop Toby Perkins from stating how he believed “The government is making the right decisions,” stressing that ministers were focused on delivering results rather than seeking short-term political gains.
The statements from Perkins were made during a program that was heavily focused on an embattled Prime Minister who has allegedly been told he needs to resign and trigger a leadership contest that would surely include newly elected Makerfield MP, Andy Burnham who many see as the natural successor to Starmer should Starmer eventually be forced out of Downing Street.
Something Toby Perkins doesn’t feel should happen at this point given how well he believes the government to be performing.
Is Toby, right? Are Labour performing better than they are being given credit for? Is Starmer the right person for the job? Have your say in the comments or over on our Facebook page by searching for ‘Chesterfield News Online’