Links 46: Broken Britain special edition

things I found interesting

Britain is broken, say voters

James Breckwoldt writes:

in the UK, we have the British Election Study Internet Panel (BESIP) which has been running since 2014. This is a massive survey run every 6-12 months that gathers detailed information about each respondent and their political beliefs, providing the depth you can’t get from simpler polls.

Based on this, the electorate can be split up into 9 groups. On many questions these groups had different opinions. There was one question however, where all groups agreed:

the BESIP also asked whether people believe Britain needs fundamental change.

Crush the nimbies to save Britain!

The daily Telegraph (a formerly pro-nimby newspaper) says Crush the Nimbies (archived here):

Broken Britain must crush the Nimbys to get building again

On Sept 27 1825, the Geordie civil engineer George Stephenson connected Stockton with Darlington, as he opened the world’s first public railway. The impact of the work on that single stretch of track was revolutionary – kickstarting the modern industrial age and completely reshaping economic and social life.

[But] In today’s Britain, things are very different. Looking at our ability to deliver new projects, from transport to clean energy, it’s no exaggeration to say Britain has lost its knack for getting things done. As a result, economic growth has stagnated.

This is true. Nimbyism has become a blight on Britain's prosperity, and needs to be defeated comprehensively.

This is why the Government’s flagship Planning and Infrastructure Bill is critical at this juncture. The Bill improves clarity for nationally significant infrastructure projects to prevent unnecessary delays, and sets limits for the consultation processes around development consent orders with a reduced list of statutory consultees.

Unfortunately the Bill doesn't go far enough. For national infrastructure projects, such as railways or power stations, the decision should be determined by a parliamentary vote: if it passes, the project is built.

The only way to prevent important national infrastructure from being built should be a democratic one: those opposing development getting themselves and their mates elected to parliament and forming a parliamentary majority.

Housing crisis gets worse

TLDR news explains Why the Housing Crisis is Getting Worse:

Not enough new houses are being built and their aren't enough construction workers to build them.

The Tories broke Britain

Ian Dunt says:

The Conservatives mismanaged Britain so badly, for so many years, that they are considered part of the problem. The very clear public sense, in polling and focus groups, is that nothing changes, politics does not work, it doesn't matter who you vote for, the country is broken. For these purposes, the Tories and Labour are basically one homogeneous 'mainstream politics' unit, a grand mental coalition of disappointment.

Reform is the main beneficiary of this mood.

I would add that in Scotland, this same mood is driving support for independence.

Labour to rethink policies?

The BBC reports that, following Labour's disastrous election results, many people in the Labour party are unhappy and want a change of direction:

"We are losing to everyone, everywhere." [says] a new Labour MP, elected in last year's general election landslide. This has prompted calls for Sir Keir Starmer to change direction.

The Labour Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones - who had her majority slashed - blamed the withdrawal of winter fuel allowance from most pensioners, and urged a rethink on the forthcoming cuts to personal independence payments (Pips) for disabled people. Labour MP Richard Burgon – a shadow minister under Sir Keir's left wing predecessor Jeremy Corbyn – agreed.

One of the new intake of Labour MPs told me "this is not a verdict on our failure to deliver. It is a verdict on what we have delivered. People on the doorsteps are using the word 'betrayal'. It's winter fuel. It's fear of Pips, it's a bit of immigration. People voted for change – voted for Labour – but the government isn't looking Labour enough, and people are asking 'what's the point?'".

Another new MP - very much not on the left of the party - described the withdrawal of winter fuel payments as "Labour's poll tax".

If Labour continue as at present they face ruin at the next general election, facing big challenges both from the left and the right. Even if left wing parties don't win many seats, they will take many votes away from Labour causing them to lose seats. (The same thing happened in reverse to the Tories in 2024, where Reform took many votes from the Tories: Reform didn't win many seats themselves but they did cause the Tories to lose lots of seats.)

They need to reverse the cuts in winter fuel allowance and the proposed cuts to PIP. They also need to reduce immigration particularly illegal immigration.

Rachel Reeves trusts Donald Trump

ITV News interviewed Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who says Trump can absolutely be trusted:

This is despite Trump ripping up the trade deal he signed with Canada.

Trump is erratic and arrogant, and absolutely cannot be trusted. If Reeves can't see that, she's a fool -- in her own way, as incompetent as Liz Truss.

Britain isn't working

Edrith posts part 2 of his series on why Britain isn't working:

We saw that people feel this across almost every area of life, from the NHS to crime to bin collection - as well as many feeling more ‘cultural’ concerns going ignored, particularly on immigration and small boats.

People are searching for an alternative - any alternative. They voted for Brexit in 2016 (and again in 2019), searched for it in Labour in 2024, and are now turning against both the main parties. This isn’t because Reform has a detailed policy platform they like - it doesn’t - but because they are angry and upset, they are crying out for change - and having been repeatedly let down, they are willing to try one more thing.

In Part Two we’ll look at the next four of these policies:

• Uncontrolled university expansion

• The spiralling cost of regulation

• Not facing up to the rise in mental health and special educational needs.

• Hollowing out Local Authority budgets

(Part 1 is here).