That doesn’t mean, however, that the right won’t view this as the “Starmergeddon” the headlines promised. The government will set about implementing manifesto commitments such as improving workers’ rights, building houses, creating a publicly owned energy company, and charging VAT on private school fees. In his victory speech, Starmer referenced the “sunlight of hope,” which he described as “pale at first, but getting stronger throughout the day.” Though he has kept his powder very dry regarding political promises, now that Labour is in, bold action is at least possible.
What would I like to see? Alongside Labour’s commitment to getting tough on violence against women, which includes a perpetrator program to identify the worst offenders, new rape courts to tackle a backlog of cases, and specialist units in every police force, we need more policies addressing the issues that disproportionately affect women. Childcare, austerity, healthcare, the gender pay gap. I would like to see abortion decriminalized after the legislation was paused earlier this year, our stricken maternity services improved, and more support for women who do want to have children but are unable to due to low pay, poor housing, unaffordable childcare, and financial precarity. Better access to fertility treatment and a dramatic overhaul of maternity and paternity leave policy would also be welcome. A commitment to equal rights for trans women and an end to nasty and divisive rhetoric is urgently necessary, as this culture war is diverting attention from highly pressing feminist issues such as domestic violence and sexual harassment.
I have hope. In Rachel Reeves, the country will get its first-ever woman chancellor of the Exchequer and as deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner’s profile will only increase, her vivacity a welcome counterpoint to Starmer’s calm sobriety.
Moreover, this parliament is projected to be the most diverse ever, with a record number of women, LGBTQ+, and ethnic minority MPs. In 2010, less than a quarter of MPs were female, and while the chamber is not quite at a 50-50 gender balance, it is getting closer to that target. The proportion of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic MPs is also set to rise, as is the number of LGBTQ+ representatives. Many of us hope that this will be reflected in the legislative agenda.
For now, however, lots of us are still processing the fact that we even have a Labour government. After such a long Conservative reign, there’s a feeling of unreality to events. But it really is true: the Tories are out, Labour is at the helm, and maybe, just maybe, better times are coming.