Letter: Prime Minister has misled voters since his election

All politicians stretch the truth, but few do it with the frequency and shamelessness of Keir Starmer.
He came to power promising 'honesty and integrity', a pledge that may turn out to be his most misleading of all.
From the moment he ran for Labour leader, Starmer misled the public.
He pledged to uphold Jeremy Corbyn's policies, abolishing tuition fees, lifting the two-child benefit cap, and nationalising key services.
All were swiftly abandoned once he secured the leadership. It seems this has worked for him, so he's made it a habit.
During the election campaign, Starmer gave the impression that Winter Fuel Payments and a cap on social care costs would be safe.
Both have now been dropped.
He said taxes wouldn't rise for working people, yet his Budget hits them through higher prices and lower wages, thanks to a £25 billion national insurance hike.
He promised swift compensation for 1950s-born Waspi women. That too has vanished.
Farmers were told they'd get certainty, instead, they've been hit with new inheritance taxes. Even his touted EU deal lacks detail, with vague claims and no transparency about what the UK is giving up, including 12 more years of access to British fishing waters.
As the Institute for Fiscal Studies noted, the £22 billion black hole in Labour's Budget 'was obvious to anyone who dared to look.' But Starmer and his Chancellor pretended not to see it.
Voters aren't fooled. When leaders routinely tell us things we know aren't true, and do so with utter confidence, it's not just dishonest, it's corrosive.
Britain deserves better than this calculated deceit.
Roman Jones

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

23 minutes ago

• Daily Mirror

UK military bases on 'highest level' red alert after US bombing of Iran

The British armed forces are on the highest level of alert for drone strikes after the US bombing of Iran, the Defence Secretary has confirmed British forces stationed throughout the Middle East have been placed on heightened alert for potential drone strikes after the US airstrikes on Iran, as per Defence Secretary John Healey. Healey has affirmed that protection of UK Armed Forces is now at "highest level" amid escalating concerns that the US action might ignite a broader conflict, as published in The Telegraph. ‌ Since the strikes took place early Sunday morning, security measures at British bases in the Middle East have been significantly intensified, with staff preparing for the possibility of not only drone attacks but conventional rocket and missile assaults too. ‌ The increased state of alert also comes at a time of growing worry over threats to UK bases both domestically and abroad. On Saturday, a British national was apprehended in Cyprus under suspicion of conducting espionage on an RAF base for Iran, closely following an incident where two pro-Palestinian activists infiltrated RAF Brize Norton and caused damage to two planes, reports the Express. In his column for the newspaper on Sunday, Mr Healey penned: "The safety of UK personnel and bases is my top priority. Force protection is at its highest level, and we deployed additional jets this week." Senior defence officials are particularly cautious of the use of drones following an event where Ukrainian drones wreaked havoc on 40 Russian aircrafts –including those capable of carrying nuclear warheads– across Russia. With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia's employment of Iranian-made Shahed drones has led to widespread power outages and significant destruction of infrastructure. ‌ The Shahed-136's explosive payload, originally designed to demolish buildings, can now also deliver lethal fragmentation or thermobaric blasts. Iran has recently deployed these drones against targets in Israel. Earlier this month, Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that additional RAF jets would be dispatched to the region to enhance security. British bases in the Middle East include RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, where 14 RAF jets are currently stationed, as well as naval hubs in Bahrain and Oman and shared airbases in Qatar and the UAE. Potential extra security measures could involve increasing armed guards, issuing live ammunition and deploying more radar systems. The US acted independently in its strikes on Iran, and so far Iran's threats of retaliation have been solely directed at America. It is understood that British bases are not yet preparing for any immediate, targeted attack, but the heightened alert reflects the broad range of threats - from rockets to improvised explosive devices - that UK forces could potentially face.

Leader Live

an hour ago

• Leader Live

Irish deputy premier to attend EU ministers summit in wake of US attack on Iran

Simon Harris, who is also Ireland's foreign affairs minister, said the attack was an 'extraordinarily dangerous escalation' in an already 'volatile' situation in the Middle East. He is to attend a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels on Monday, where the growing crisis in the Middle East will be discussed among other topics. I can confirm that 15 🇮🇪 citizens and their dependents have been successfully evacuated from 🇮🇱 today. Grateful to 🇦🇹 and our teams in Tel Aviv, Dublin & the region for their tireless work. We remain in close contact with all Irish citizens in the region. — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 22, 2025 Tensions in the Middle East boiled over 10 days ago when Israel launched strikes on Tehran, targeting the country's nuclear programme. Israel and Iran have been exchanging strikes with one another since, rekindling fears of a full-scale conflict. On Saturday the US weighed in, sending planes and submarines to attack Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz, which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran threatened to retaliate, while US President Donald Trump warned of further action if necessary. Statement by Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Middle East — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 22, 2025 Speaking ahead of the EU meeting on Monday, Mr Harris said there needed to be 'a diplomatic solution' to Iran's nuclear programme. The Tanaiste said that urgent de-escalation and diplomacy are 'crucial', and the EU 'has a role to play in charting a way forward'. He said he would also be calling for 'swift and concrete actions' in response to the EU's review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. 'We must also maintain a strong focus on the situation in Gaza, which remains catastrophic,' he added. 'I call on Israel to lift its blockade on aid into Gaza. The situation in the West Bank also continues to be unacceptable. 'The EU can and must provide leadership on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, on the release of hostages, on preserving the two-State solution, and on efforts to support peace and stability in the Middle East.' We will have a Security College on Wednesday, focused on the escalating situation in the Middle East and its effects on Europe. — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 22, 2025 EU ministers are expected to discuss the latest developments, the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the review of Israel's compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Among the other topics to be discussed are the Russian invasion of Ukraine, EU engagement with China, and Georgia. Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha will also attend the summit and provide an update. The discussion on China is expected to prepare for the upcoming EU-China Strategic Dialogue and EU-China Summit. Mr Harris added: 'I will be underlining the need to demonstrate our unity and collective backing for Ukraine in the face of Russia's ongoing aggression. 'Recent weeks have seen a significant escalation in brutal Russian air attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. These are not the action of a country interested in peace.'

South Wales Guardian

an hour ago

• South Wales Guardian

Starmer and Trump call for Iran to return to negotiating table after US strikes

The Prime Minister spoke to the US President on Sunday night after an air raid by B-2 stealth bombers and a salvo of submarine-launched missiles hit Iran's nuclear facilities. Downing Street said the leaders agreed Tehran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and called for Iran to return to negotiations. 'The leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and reiterated the grave risk posed by Iran's nuclear programme to international security,' Downing Street said. 'They discussed the actions taken by the United States last night to reduce the threat and agreed that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. 'They discussed the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and to make progress on a lasting settlement. 'They agreed to stay in close contact in the coming days.' Earlier, Sir Keir – whose previous calls for restraint appear to have been ignored by the American leader – said there was a 'risk of escalation', adding: 'That's a risk to the region. It's a risk beyond the region, and that's why all our focus has been on de-escalating, getting people back around to negotiate what is a very real threat in relation to the nuclear programme.' The UK was not involved in the US operation but there is the prospect of British forces being dragged into the conflict if Ayatollah Ali Khamenei orders a retaliation. Speaking to reporters at his Chequers country retreat he would not be drawn on whether Nato's mutual defence pact would apply if US forces were targeted. Sir Keir said 'we have taken all necessary measures to protect UK interests, UK personnel and to work with our allies to protect their interests as well'. Extra RAF Typhoon jets have already been moved to the region and Defence Secretary John Healey said 'force protection is at its highest level' following the US strikes. On a day of intense diplomatic activity, Sir Keir also held calls with the Sultan of Oman, the King of Jordan, Canada's Mark Carney and European counterparts Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz. Ministers from the E3 – the UK, France and Germany – had been involved in talks with Iran as recently as Friday as European allies sought to avoid further escalation in the Middle East. In a joint statement with the French president and German chancellor, Sir Keir said: 'We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke to his Iranian and Israeli counterparts 'to stress the need for de-escalation'. 'I urged a diplomatic, negotiated solution to end this crisis,' he said. The Foreign Office dismissed as 'inaccurate' a report by Iran's IRNA news agency that Mr Lammy 'expressed regret' over the US strikes. Mr Lammy also spoke to US secretary of state Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers of Egypt and Cyprus. The US attacked Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. The Tehran regime has insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful but its uranium enrichment process has gone far beyond what is required for power stations. According to details released by the Pentagon: Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER was a success. — DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) June 22, 2025 – The strikes, which had the codename Operation Midnight Hammer, involved more than 125 aircraft. – A complicated decoy operation was used, with one group of bombers flying west over the Pacific in a move widely documented on social media by aviation enthusiasts, while the 'strike package' of seven B-2s secretly flew east across the Atlantic. – During the 18-hour flight to Iran, the stealth bombers were refuelled several times then linked up with escort aircraft once over land. – At around 2.10am in Iran the first bunker-busting massive ordnance penetrator (Mop) bombs were dropped on Fordo. – A total of 14 Mops were dropped across two of the nuclear sites. – No Iranian shots were fired at the bombers during the mission. – A US submarine launched more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles at Isfahan, which struck the target after the B-2 raids to maintain the element of surprise. – The initial assessment is that 'all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction', chairman of the joint chiefs of staff General Dan Caine said. Iran must never have a nuclear weapon. The US has now taken action to alleviate that threat. I've spoken today with my counterparts in Iran and Israel to stress the need for de-escalation. I urged a diplomatic, negotiated solution to end this crisis. — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) June 22, 2025 Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'By targeting Iran's nuclear sites, the US has taken decisive action against a regime that fuels global terror and directly threatens the UK. 'Iranian operatives have plotted murders and attacks on British soil. We should stand firmly with the US and Israel.' Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also backed Mr Trump's decision to strike Iran. He said: 'Iran must not be allowed to have nuclear weapons, the future of Israel depends on it.' Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey said 'robust diplomacy' was now needed to eliminate Iran's nuclear threat, adding: 'Following the US strikes, it is essential that we work to de-escalate the conflict and achieve that diplomatic solution.' Scotland's First Minister John Swinney called for diplomacy, saying the Middle East conflict has reached 'an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran'. Iran launched a ballistic missile barrage against Israel in retaliation to the US action. The foreign ministry in Tehran issued a statement condemning 'the United States' brutal military aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities'. It added: 'The Islamic Republic of Iran is resolved to defend Iran's territory, sovereignty, security and people by all force and means against the United States' criminal aggression.' Mr Trump said any retaliation would be met with 'force far greater' than that used in the initial strikes. In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Mr Trump said: 'It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!' The social media post marked a reversal from previous statements on regime change, including an earlier press conference from defence secretary Pete Hegseth, about the bombing on Iran's three nuclear sites.