Last week marked one year since the general election that saw Sir Keir Starmer lead Labour back into government after 14 years in opposition. As Somerset’s local democracy reporter, I’ve looked back over the past 12 months to assess whether Somerset has truly benefited from the government’s record so far.
One year ago, on the morning of July 5, 2024, I made three key predictions about the new Labour government’s prospects: that Labour would be “staring down a barrel” if it failed to deliver promised change; that rural areas like Somerset must not be neglected; and that the next five years would be anything but dull.
While Somerset has rarely been a Labour stronghold, the regional political landscape shifted somewhat, with the Liberal Democrats regaining ground across the southwest, leaving only Bridgwater as a Conservative holdout.
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Looking back, those predictions have largely proven accurate. Labour’s early momentum has stalled amid a series of missteps. From the winter fuel allowance to changes in inheritance tax and national insurance, the government has aimed to address serious issues but often executed its policies clumsily.
For example, the decision to cut winter fuel payments for millionaires—while sensible—was overturned abruptly by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to curb spending, causing the government to appear rigid and out of touch. Similarly, inheritance tax reforms that targeted loopholes benefiting the super-rich failed to fully consider the impact on Somerset’s marginal farmers, generating understandable local concern.
Labour’s attempts to balance welfare reform and encourage job growth have also invited criticism. Their pursuit of stronger worker protections seems to have inadvertently complicated hiring for businesses, while efforts to increase employment risk marginalizing vulnerable groups. Balancing economic health with social support remains a delicate challenge.
No one denies the need for sweeping reforms after years marked by austerity, Brexit, a pandemic, war, and economic turmoil. Yet too often, the government has focused on broad strokes while overlooking vital details—a pattern that threatens the success of major initiatives like planning reform and the NHS’s ten-year plan, which is itself hindered by delays in social care reviews.
Amid these struggles, Somerset has seen some promising developments. After an agonising wait, the Department for Transport finally confirmed funding for Wellington’s new railway station and a similar project at Cullompton. These investments will bring new jobs, improve transport, and support expanding communities.
Musgrove Park Hospital’s upgrade program, initially launched under Boris Johnson, is now delayed until 2033—a setback given Somerset’s growth—but funding is secured, reflecting a more cautious approach than previous government promises that lacked financial backing.
Other local wins include the £3 bus fare cap, providing stability to commuters and businesses, and the tireless efforts of Somerset’s MPs. The Liberal Democrats have actively campaigned on free school meals and maternity care, especially after Yeovil Hospital’s special care baby unit closure. Meanwhile, Sir Ashley Fox has advocated for a new school in Bridgwater and supported local businesses amid prolonged roadworks.
As Starmer has often said, the first year was about “fixing the foundations.” The journey has been bumpy, with enough setbacks to fill an entire series of Grand Designs. Yet meaningful change rarely comes quickly or easily, and patience is essential if we want progress that truly benefits Somerset and beyond.
This impatience has fueled the rise of Reform and figures like Nigel Farage, who promise sweeping change without clear plans. Meanwhile, the recent spending review signals the government’s commitment to transforming the NHS, repairing schools, and investing in transport infrastructure.
In Somerset, signs of progress are visible despite the challenges. The government now faces the crucial task of delivering results that reflect West Country realities and serve the many, not just the few.
However hard the past year has been, the real work is only just beginning.