Labour’s Wes Streeting has voiced support for the party’s policy reversals, emphasizing the importance for the government to strive for accuracy from the start. The Health Secretary proposed this as a resolution for 2026 in light of recent policy flip-flops.
In response to criticisms of delays caused by U-turns, Streeting highlighted the value of feedback in making corrections promptly. He referenced the NHS initiative “Get It Right First Time” as a model for aiming to achieve accuracy on initial attempts.
Streeting admonished internal party members for resorting to blaming Whitehall, labeling it as an “excuses culture” that undermines the credibility of the center-left. He cautioned that such attitudes could erode public trust in the party’s ability to govern effectively.
The comments by Streeting are interpreted as a critique of Keir Starmer’s former aide, Paul Ovenden, who recently lambasted Labour’s setbacks due to bureaucratic complexities. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham echoed similar sentiments, calling for substantial reforms to empower devolved regions and streamline government departments’ operations.
Burnham criticized the resistance faced by devolved mayors in driving growth initiatives, citing internal discord within Whitehall as a barrier to progress. He advocated for a shift towards place-based, mission-oriented governance to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in national decision-making processes.