In a series of appearances and statements throughout late March 2024, Labour leader Keir Starmer addressed several pressing issues facing the United Kingdom, from council funding deficiencies to the broader concerns of national decline and regional inequality. Speaking from the West Midlands, Starmer highlighted the £4 billion shortfall local councils are facing, cautioning that there is no simple solution or “magic money tree” to rectify the funding gap. He stressed the economic challenges ahead and underscored the importance of economic growth as part of the solution, while also pointing out the government’s delayed action in calling a general election.

Amid criticisms of Andy Street, the West Midlands mayor, for not tackling critical issues like housing and job creation, Starmer took the opportunity to outline Labour’s vision for addressing regional disparities and revitalizing local governance through a “local growth plan”. This plan includes granting more powers to regional mayors, an idea encapsulated in Labour’s proposed “Take Back Control Act”, which aims to devolve authority over sectors such as transport and planning to regions. These initiatives are part of Labour’s broader goal to more effectively “level up” the nation than the current Conservative government, a promise that Starmer argues the Tories have failed to fulfill, despite it being a key pledge of their agenda.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove, defended the Conservative government’s record, asserting that neglected areas have seen increased funding under Tory leadership. However, Labour’s stance, as articulated by Starmer, criticizes the Conservative approach to addressing regional inequality as inadequate and emphasizes the need for real change in governance to stimulate local economies and empower local authorities.

The discussion of national decline also featured prominently in Starmer’s remarks, touching on the pervasive sense of deterioration across Britain’s institutions, infrastructure, and public morale—a sentiment exacerbated by Brexit, the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing economic pressures. In offering Labour’s vision for the UK, Starmer aims to generate hope and a renewed sense of common purpose, positioning the party as ready to tackle the nation’s array of challenges, from healthcare satisfaction to economic stability.

As the UK approaches local elections in May 2024, with potential implications for a general election, these issues remain at the forefront of political discourse. Starmer’s engagements in the West Midlands and his criticisms of the Conservative record on levelling up and council funding highlight Labour’s strategic focus on appealing to voters in regions feeling left behind by current policies. Whether these overtures will translate into electoral success and a mandate for change, however, remains to be seen.