Post-election: Huge challenges ahead

Make no mistake about it, the new UK Government faces huge challenges. Some you can trace back to the ongoing, lingering impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the colossal sums of money we printed and spent. Others are the result of tense geo-political situations, including the war in Ukraine.

And yet others pre-date Covid and have been an ongoing issue for generations, like the increasing costs of funding the NHS, welfare, or the sluggish productivity and economic growth.

The government now faces another sharp challenge. We have multiple new MPs and Ministers, very few of whom have had government experience. This applies to the Prime Minister as well. Sir Keir Starmer will have to get used to one of the most uniquely demanding jobs in the world. It is right, therefore, that we pray for the PM and the Cabinet. That God would grant them wisdom and strength.

Turning now to more specific policy challenges, what might they be? In no particular order, here is a short summary of just some of the key challenges.

Economy: the reality is that there is little money available. According to the highly regarded Institute for Fiscal Studies, both main parties were not being honest about spending plans. A stable and growing economy is important, affecting every area of society.

Health: huge waiting lists and the problem of the junior doctors’ pay claims need resolving. We need to recruit more nurses and doctors. But where from? And how quickly can you get them on the front line?

Social Care: this is a ticking time-bomb. With an ageing population, the costs of social care will only increase. But how will we afford it? Is there an affordable plan? Or will this issue be ‘can-kicked’ as has happened far too often?

Environment: one key question is how we get to Net Zero and how do you bring people with you? There is concern in certain areas of the UK that a poorly executed transition to renewable energy could see significant unemployment.

Immigration: whatever your perspective, there needs to be a national debate about immigration levels and what we want as a nation. Do we adopt a stricter approach? The numbers of people coming in are felt to be unsustainable.

Assisted Suicide: it is highly likely there will be a major debate on this issue in the new Parliament. With so many new MPs, it will be much, much harder to persuade them to vote against.

Abortion: we’ve already seen multiple attempts to pass what’s called ‘abortion decriminalisation’. This will come up again.

Conversion Therapy: it seems likely that this will be a policy priority. Yet the fundamental reality is that such legislation will be notoriously difficult to pass in a way that doesn’t undermine freedoms of expression, thought and speech.

Gender Recognition: it is likely that some changes will be made to the gender recognition process. But what about the Cass Review – will the recommendations be implemented properly? There is also controversy over teaching about this issue in schools.

Education: what impact will the proposal to introduce VAT on private schools have on Christian schools? Will parents move house to ensure their children get into the best comprehensives? Will it lead to greater fairness?

Foreign Affairs: the new government will need to grapple with huge geopolitical challenges. How do you resolve the Israel/ Palestine conflict? What about Ukraine and the need to resist Putin’s territorial overreach? What about the threat from China?

Amidst all these challenges, at CARE we will continue to engage with Parliament, speaking with grace and truth and telling God’s better story. We will build relationships with new MPs and, alongside working to prevent laws that are contrary to God’s will, we will also advocate for hope-filled policy solutions to some of the challenges outlined above.