Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Crucial Tests: Scrapping Rwanda Scheme, Implementing ‘Tough Love’ Crime Strategy, and Tackling Global Crises

Is Starmer planning to abandon the Rwanda policy, and what exactly is the 'tough love' strategy for addressing crime? Sky News analysts discuss the major challenges awaiting the Prime Minister.

From addressing NHS backlog issues, managing the influx of small boat arrivals, to dealing with Vladimir Putin and his actions in Ukraine, Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces numerous urgent challenges.

Saturday, July 6, 2024, 2:

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will have a full schedule right from the start.

Amid challenges like the rising cost of living, increased small boat arrivals, the push towards renewable energy, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the incoming Labour administration faces numerous daunting tasks.

To understand the difficulties confronting Sir Keir, we consulted with our seasoned specialist reporters to grasp the implications for their respective fields.

Stay updated with live coverage of the

NHS Update – Ashish Joshi, health correspondent

Wes Streeting has been notably visible in Labour's election efforts for a critical reason. The NHS is currently facing significant challenges, and Labour has pledged to address these issues.

The last occasion when NHS wait times were under control occurred during a Labour administration. However, the difficulties now are significantly more daunting. The primary factor distinguishing this period is the pandemic and its profound effects on public health and healthcare services. The staff is both diminished and weary.

Nevertheless, this same group of employees is expected to handle an additional 40,000 appointments weekly. The Labour Party guarantees that no one will be compelled to assume these additional responsibilities. It's impossible to instantly produce additional doctors, nurses, and qualified clinical personnel.

Newly appointed Health Secretary Mr. Streeting announced that his initial action in office would be to initiate discussions with union leaders to address the current strikes by junior doctors. Although the doctors are unlikely to immediately abandon their salary demands, a new governmental leadership may provide new viewpoints that could help advance the situation.

Public approval of the NHS and social care services has hit a four-decade low. This scenario presents an opportunity for the Labour Party, as even modest improvements could significantly enhance their standing.

"Enhanced focus on preventing crime" – Jason Farrell, domestic affairs editor

During her tenure as Home Secretary, Priti Patel prioritized addressing the issue of county lines drug trafficking, frequently accompanying police on early morning raids aimed at dismantling these criminal networks.

Labour appears set to increase its focus on crime prevention by introducing a "Young Futures programme" aimed at deterring youth from joining gangs.

Newly appointed Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has discussed a "tough love" strategy to address knife crime. This approach includes the deployment of youth workers in accident and emergency departments, custody facilities, and pupil referral units.

Ms. Cooper has pledged to implement a police reform strategy that would establish compulsory benchmarks for policing, ensuring that processes for vetting, training, and addressing misconduct are consistent across different forces.

Forthcoming NATO Gathering – Deborah Haynes, Editor of Security and Defense

Military and protective measures will be the primary focus for the initial period of the new administration, as the prime onister gears up for a significant trip to Washington to attend a major NATO conference involving global leaders.

National security and military strategies are likely to be key priorities during Sir Keir Starmer’s tenure, as escalating global tensions due to Russia’s involvement in Ukraine, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and rising concerns over China’s actions demand attention.

Labour has committed to undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of the UK's defence and security policies within the first year of their administration, with the aim to raise the defence budget to 2.5% of the GDP from slightly more than 2%.

However, sources within the military assert that there is an immediate need for definitive guidance for the armed forces.

Specialists are concerned that delaying until 2025 for the government to develop an additional comprehensive strategy regarding the structure and dimensions of the army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force, shaped by any goals Sir Keir might set, will just result in further procrastination.

'Bold commitments' in renewable power – Tom Clarke, science and technology chief editor

The Labour Party has pledged significant commitments regarding renewable energy. Fulfilling these promises could lead to substantial, sustained decreases in energy costs, enhance energy independence, and mitigate the risks associated with climate change.

Companies are prepared to invest if Labour can address the existing hurdles in planning and supply chains. However, it remains uncertain how they intend to fulfill other commitments that seem less conducive to investment, such as enhancing the energy efficiency of residences and fitting social housing with heat pumps, without significantly increasing public expenditure.

Similar to previous administrations, the Labour Party aims to transform the UK into a leading global force in science. Their initial step involves mending the strained relationships between the scientific community and the previous government. These tensions originated from Brexit, which cut off vital EU funding streams, and were exacerbated by the Conservative Party's campaign against so-called "woke" ideologies, which damaged relationships with academic institutions and led to scholars being unjustly attacked for their opinions.

An initial examination will focus on the specifics of a decade-long financial plan for major research bodies, which the Labour Party asserts will boost UK biosciences to a "superpower" level. However, details regarding the exact figures of these budgets have yet to be disclosed.

A key point of interest is the Labour Party's position on artificial intelligence. The UK's strong ties with major technology companies such as Google have positioned it as a leader in AI development and application, yielding significant economic advantages. Balancing Labour's dedication to safeguarding jobs against the rise of AI, while not yielding to the pressures from major tech hubs like Silicon Valley, presents a challenging balancing act.

For an enhanced viewing experience, it is recommended to use the Chrome browser.

Rwanda plan canceled – Becky Johnson, local affairs reporter

Throughout the election campaign, immigration, particularly the handling of individuals arriving in the UK via small boats, has emerged as a major contentious issue.

Sir Keir Starmer has unequivocally stated that he will immediately abolish the Rwanda policy and has faced rigorous inquiries regarding his party's plans for the many individuals currently in the UK who faced possible deportation to the African nation.

Following the approval of the Illegal Migration Bill in July of the previous year, individuals arriving in the UK on small boats are now prohibited from seeking asylum. Many are housed in accommodations funded by the Home Office, awaiting to find out if they will be placed on flights to Rwanda.

Explore further: Starmer commits to forming a specialized Border Unit equipped with anti-terrorism capabilities.

The Labour Party has announced plans to permit individuals seeking asylum to file their claims in the UK. Those whose applications are approved will be granted permission to stay, while those who are rejected will be sent back.

The UK refrains from deporting individuals to nations where they face threats of persecution, which includes countries like Afghanistan, Iran, and Syria.

The Labour Party has not dismissed the concept of deporting migrants to a secure third country, although they have specified that Rwanda will not be the destination. Initially, identifying a country willing to receive migrants is necessary, followed by a comprehensive legislative and legal procedure to enact new laws.

Global freedom faces 'severe threat' – Dominic Waghorn, international affairs editor

As Sir Keir Starmer assumes leadership, the global landscape appears more threatening than it has in many years. The stability of democracies worldwide faces its most serious threat in recent memory.

In the United States, Donald Trump is poised to become the next president. He is a figure deeply skeptical of regulations and even more so of internationally established norms. His rise to the presidency could critically undermine NATO and jeopardize Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russian advances.

His warnings of retaliation and domestic political undermining pose a potential threat to the very foundation of the American republic.

Across Europe, far-right movements are gaining momentum. In the most severe scenario, this surge could lead to a French government that opposes the political values and objectives of Keir Starmer. At the very least, it is expected to cause significant political turmoil and deadlock in one of Europe’s key nations.

In the Far East, North Korea's unpredictable leader is capitalizing on Russia's vulnerabilities to acquire technology and support, potentially strengthening his authoritarian regime and increasing the threat it poses globally.

China is governed by a leader who appears resolute in his future ambitions to incorporate neighboring Taiwan, despite the opposition of its citizens, and suppress their freedoms, similar to his actions in Hong Kong. He appears indifferent to the potential economic and international consequences of this action.

The new prime minister and his foreign secretary find themselves surrounded by potential chaos and discord. However, after enduring years of political upheaval, Britain now appears stable and uneventfully tranquil compared to other nations. Its political framework has successfully navigated numerous challenges. Historically, it has managed to reconcile with the very forces that are currently unsettling its neighboring countries on the continent.

Should the UK's latest foreign policy leaders be prudent, they will strive to guide and negotiate when feasible, steer clear of domestic disputes, and chart a steady path amidst these exceptionally turbulent times. Failure to do so could result in Britain being drawn into the chaos as well.

Associated Subjects

Footer of Sky News

Information on Sky News

Services Provided by Sky News

Channels on Sky

Additional Sky Websites