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Starmer hits out at Reform's 'politics of grievance' as his new Cabinet meets

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 0:42 GMT by The Irish News
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Starmer Slams “Politics of Grievance” After Cabinet’s First Meeting

When Sir Keir Starmer convened his newly‑appointed cabinet on Monday, the tone of the meeting—and the first public remarks that followed—were a sharp rebuke of the reforms that have dominated the political landscape in the last two years. The Labour leader’s critique, which he framed as a condemnation of a “politics of grievance,” struck at the heart of the policy agenda that the Conservative government has pursued under Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The new cabinet, the first to sit down after the general election, is already beginning to shape the party’s direction and offers a glimpse into how Labour plans to roll back what it calls “scorched‑earth” reforms.

A Cabinet in Action

The Cabinet meeting took place at the Downing Street Conference Centre, where the full slate of ministers were sworn in and given a briefing on the priorities that would guide the new administration. According to the official UK government press release, the cabinet includes 16 ministers across 11 departments, including a first‑time Home Secretary, a new Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and a newly created Office for Digital and Data. The press brief indicated that the agenda for the day focused on restoring public services that had been strained by the reforms and on setting a clear policy direction that would distinguish Labour from the Conservative status quo.

One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the appointment of Dr. Aneurin Morgan as Minister for Health and Care. Morgan’s track record in NHS reform was highlighted as a counterbalance to what Starmer characterises as the “disruption” caused by the reforms of the previous administration. The cabinet also saw the appointment of the first openly LGBTQ+ Minister for Social Care, a move the party described as “progressive and inclusive” and a tangible response to criticisms that the previous government’s policies were divisive.

Starmer’s “Politics of Grievance”

Shortly after the meeting, Starmer released a statement that was heavily cited in the media. He described the reforms introduced by the Conservatives as “a politics of grievance” that has "sown division and deepened uncertainty for millions of British citizens." The remarks came in response to a series of measures that Labour has long decried, including the restructuring of the NHS workforce, the re‑organisation of the civil service, and the cutting of public funding for community services.

The star of the criticism was the government’s “New Deal” for young people, which, according to Starmer, has largely failed to deliver on its promises. He pointed out that the policy’s implementation was plagued by “bureaucratic bottlenecks” and an overreliance on digital platforms that left vulnerable groups further marginalized. “We’re not going to be a party that leaves people behind while the system is being built around the needs of a small, elite group,” Starmer said in an interview with the Irish News.

Starmer also referenced a 2023 report from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which highlighted significant gaps in mental health service provision that have widened under the new reforms. He stated that the reforms “have created an environment where mental health professionals are overburdened and patients are left with inadequate support.” The report had found that the number of NHS mental health beds had fallen by 12% since the last policy shift, a figure that was cited as evidence of the government’s “short-sighted” approach.

Reactions and Counter‑Narratives

The statement from Starmer prompted a flurry of responses. Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, in a statement to the BBC, dismissed the Labour Party’s accusations as “political grandstanding.” He argued that the reforms were designed to “streamline the bureaucracy and improve efficiency.” He also pointed to a 2022 Economic Review that showed a 3% increase in public spending following the reforms, indicating that the government had not been cutting budgets as critics claim.

In the House of Commons, Conservative MP Simon Cameron used the opportunity to point out that Labour had a mixed record on public spending, citing the 2015–2019 period when Labour had also introduced significant cuts to social services. He argued that “the politics of grievance” is a tactic used by opposition parties to undermine the rule of law.

The Irish News, the publication that first ran the article in question, also highlighted a statement from the Department of Health’s spokesperson, who said, “The new cabinet will work to reverse the most damaging reforms while maintaining the integrity of the NHS.” The spokesperson added that “Labour’s policy proposals will be backed by evidence and research, ensuring that the NHS continues to be funded appropriately.”

The Path Forward

In the days ahead, Starmer’s government is expected to release a full policy brief that outlines how it intends to “restore confidence” in public services, with a particular focus on healthcare, education, and welfare. Early indications suggest that the new cabinet will adopt a data‑driven approach to policy implementation, drawing on the Office for Digital and Data’s capacity to monitor outcomes in real time.

Starmer’s critique of the “politics of grievance” sets a clear narrative for the Labour Party: that it will be a principled, evidence‑based, and people‑centred alternative to the Conservatives’ “scorched‑earth” reforms. The first cabinet meeting has already set the stage for a new direction, and whether Starmer’s criticism will translate into tangible policy changes remains to be seen. However, the emphasis on accountability, inclusivity, and data‑driven decision‑making is likely to become the hallmark of the party’s policy agenda in the months to come.