Politicians frequently claim they are listening when faced with public backlash. The government's late response to Labour MPs' concerns about disability benefit cuts exemplifies this, as serious engagement only arose after overwhelming opposition emerged. Tensions between No 10 and Labour backbenchers were fraught with suspicion and resentment, complicating attempts to address grievances. The struggle to sell cuts to disability support highlights broader mistrust in the government's intentions and raises questions about Labour leader Keir Starmer's vision and policy preparation, which have contributed to a decline in the party's popularity post-election.
When politicians can't admit they are losing, they say they are listening. The optimal time for Downing Street to have started paying attention to Labour MPs' complaints about disability benefit cuts was before the uprising threatened to torpedo a flagship government bill.
Serious engagement on the substance of the rebels' complaints only began once it became clear they were legion and resistant to the conventional whips' arsenal of threats, pleas and career-advancing inducements.
Withdrawing financial support from people with disabilities was always going to be a hard sell to Labour MPs. Blurring the line between reform and fiscal parsimony didn't help.
There are many reasons for the steep collapse in support since the election. Two of the most commonly cited are lack of rigorous policy preparation in opposition and Starmer's struggle to inspire audiences with a clear sense of what he wants from power.
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