The first 100 days... - Heather Herbert

Sir Keir Starmer has been at the helm for 100 days. The honeymoon period seems to have ended before it truly began. What started as a promising new chapter for Labour is now facing sharp criticism from disillusioned voters. Allegations of cronyism plague Starmer’s government. Furthermore, its policies seem out of touch with the working class. But in a political landscape where frustration is rife, the question is: who’s really benefiting from Labour’s stumbles? Is it Nigel Farage’s Reform Party? Or could a truly progressive alternative like the Green Party be rising to the occasion?

Sleaze and Broken Promises: Labour’s Rocky Start

Labour’s campaign was built on a promise of integrity. After years of Tory sleaze scandals—think lockdown parties and peerages for donors—Labour positioned itself as the clean, responsible alternative. Yet, barely three months into Starmer’s leadership, some Labour MPs are accepting expensive gifts. Others appear disconnected from working-class concerns.

Starmer’s government might argue these missteps are minor in comparison to the Tory record, but voters are already growing cynical. Nearly 60% of Brits now describe the Labour government as at least “fairly sleazy.” Half of the electorate expected them to behave better when it came to standards in public life. The disappointment is palpable, and it’s feeding disillusionment across the board.

Reform UK: All Bluster, No Solutions

So, who’s capitalising on Labour’s shaky start? Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has seen a surge in support. They’ve tapped into the anger felt by voters who feel both Labour and the Conservatives have failed them. Farage presents his party as the voice of the disenchanted. Here’s the kicker: Reform has no real solutions to offer. Sure, they’re excellent at telling you what’s wrong—”Labour’s sleazy!” “The Tories are incompetent!”—but when it comes to actual policies? There’s little substance.

Farage’s rhetoric thrives on grievance, but grievance alone doesn’t fix rising energy prices, climate change, or wage stagnation. Reform may give a platform to frustrated voices, but it doesn’t offer a roadmap out of the mess. Voters looking for more than just a protest vote are starting to realise this. Despite their rise in the polls, Reform is still more of a sideshow than a serious contender.

The Green Party: The Quiet Beneficiary

The media tends to focus on Farage’s Reform Party. However, there’s another group quietly gaining ground. This group actually offers forward-thinking solutions: the Green Party. In the face of Labour’s disappointing start, more voters are turning to the Greens as a serious alternative. The Greens are benefiting from the same disillusionment that’s boosting Reform. Unlike Farage’s lot, they’re putting forward policies that address the systemic issues Britain is facing.

The Greens are pushing for renewable energy to tackle both the cost-of-living crisis and climate change. They advocate for fairer taxes that don’t burden the working class. The Greens are showing that progressive policies can be the answer to the UK’s problems. Labour is wavering on key promises like taxes on working people. The Greens are starting to look like the party with real, practical solutions. They appeal to voters who want change but don’t want to just tear everything down for the sake of it.

Labour’s £22bn Gamble on a Failing Technology

Labour’s economic mismanagement is one of the biggest issues driving voter disillusionment. Their reckless decision to spend £22bn on carbon capture and storage (CCS) illustrates this mismanagement. This amount is the exact sum they claim represents a “black hole” in the government’s finances. CCS is a controversial technology. It aims to capture carbon emissions before they enter the atmosphere. Experts have criticised it for being expensive. They also find it ineffective. The science simply doesn’t back it up as a viable solution to the climate crisis, yet Labour is pressing ahead.

Spending billions on an unproven technology strikes many as the height of hypocrisy. At the same time, the government argues that its coffers are empty. Labour seems intent on pouring taxpayer money into what is shaping up to be a black hole of its own. They choose this rather than investing in proven, scalable green technologies like renewable energy. This decision has deepened the distrust many voters feel toward Starmer’s government. Voters are especially concerned because those billions could have been directed toward cost-of-living measures, NHS funding, or proper climate action.

The Green Party: A Sensible Alternative on Climate and Economy

Meanwhile, the Green Party is not only criticising Labour’s CCS gamble but offering a clear alternative. Instead of wasting money on ineffective tech, the Greens are investing in renewable energy. They are also creating local green jobs. These solutions could actually address the climate crisis and boost the economy simultaneously. Labour is unsure about its commitments. The Greens are stepping in with practical, science-backed policies. They don’t rely on false promises or dangerous gambles.

For voters who are tired of being sold expensive yet ineffective solutions, the Greens appear promising. They are starting to look like the party with the vision and integrity. They could guide the UK through its current challenges.

Labour’s Tax Troubles: Broken Promises Hit Hard

Another area where Labour is falling short is its shaky stance on taxes. During the election campaign, Starmer repeatedly vowed not to raise taxes on “working people.” There is a £22bn hole in the public finances. A “painful” Budget is looming. That promise is looking increasingly fragile. Potential rises in fuel duty and inheritance tax are rumoured to be on the table. Many see them as taxes on the working class.

More than half of voters now believe Labour was dishonest about its tax plans. This isn’t just a Tory talking point. Even Labour supporters are feeling the sting. About 30% of them admit the party wasn’t upfront about its intentions on taxes. For a government barely out of the gate, this kind of erosion in trust is worrying. It’s no wonder the Greens are starting to attract more attention—they’re offering policies that don’t feel like a bait-and-switch.

The Rise of the Greens: An Opportunity for Real Change?

While Labour flounders and Reform shouts from the sidelines, the Greens are positioning themselves as the real alternative. Their focus on sustainability, fairness, and accountability strikes a chord with voters tired of the same old political games. Unlike Farage’s Reform Party, which thrives on division and outrage, the Greens propose solutions to important problems. These solutions are constructive and do not rely on empty rhetoric.

The party has made gains across Europe by focusing on climate action. It also emphasizes social justice. The UK is no different. Labour wastes billions on CCS and wavers on its commitments to working people. Meanwhile, the Greens are stepping in with a clear message. It’s possible to protect the environment, improve the economy, and build a fairer society all at the same time. Voters want an alternative to the sleaze-ridden status quo. The Green Party is starting to look like a compelling option.

Conclusion: Reform is All Talk—The Greens are the Future

Sir Keir Starmer’s government struggles to keep its promises. This struggle benefits both Nigel Farage’s Reform Party and the Green Party. Voter frustration is leading to their gain. But while Reform offers nothing but complaints, the Greens are presenting a real vision for the future. Labour is already faltering on key issues like taxes, integrity, and economic responsibility. Meanwhile, the Greens are stepping up with solutions. Their solutions could actually improve the lives of working people.

Labour’s early slip-ups give rise to new political contenders. The real question is: will voters choose the party that only highlights problems? Or will they choose the one offering answers? It might just be time to go Green.