UK politics live: Starmer says next election will be ‘open fight’ between Labour and Reform

Responding to Keir Starmer’s speech at the Global Progress Action Summit, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“Keir Starmer seems determined to lead a Government of gimmicks – that just adds to our tax bills and bureaucracy, whilst doing next to nothing to tackle channel crossings.

“Imagine if the Government devoted this much money and focus on getting GP waiting times down, or fixing social care, instead of pursuing the Labour Party’s decades long obsession with ID cards and more state control.

“It is nonsensical and the Liberal Democrats will fight against it tooth and nail – just as we successfully did against Tony Blair’s ID cards.”

Labour Together has welcomed the Electoral Commission’s decision not to reopen its investigation into the campaign group’s donations.

A spokesperson said: “Today, we welcome the Electoral Commission’s decision that there are no new grounds for action or investigation.

“Labour Together proactively raised concerns about its own reporting of donations to the Electoral Commission in 2020.

“The Electoral Commission’s investigation, with which Labour Together fully cooperated, was completed in 2021.

“Since then, we have taken measures to ensure Labour Together is fully compliant with all Electoral Commission regulations.”

Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake said the Electoral Commission’s decision not to reopen its investigation into Labour Together was “wrong” and he urged the watchdog to release all its files on Morgan McSweeney.

He said: “The Electoral Commission’s decision not to investigate McSweeney is wrong.

“The Commission must now publish all of their Morgan McSweeney files to ensure the public has full transparency.”

He added: “This is not over, we will continue to reveal more evidence and continue to push for a full investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner into Keir Starmer.

“The British public deserve the full truth, not another cover-up, and the Conservatives will continue to fight until they get that.”

In response to the Prime Minister’s speech, Reform said the public was “waking up to the fact Starmer is just continuing the Tory legacy of high taxes and mass immigration”.

A party spokesman said: “For decades the British people have been betrayed by both Labour and the Conservatives.

“People have voted election after election for lower taxes and controlled immigration, instead both parties have done the opposite.

“The public are now waking up to the fact Starmer is just continuing the Tory legacy of high taxes and mass immigration. Britain needs Reform.”

Age UK have called on the Government to step up its work around digital inclusion as it’s estimated millions may struggle to thrive in the digital world.

Caroline Abrahams CBE, Charity Director at Age UK said: “Many other similar countries already have ID cards so it’s no surprise that the UK is considering following suite, but if this initiative is to be successful and fair the Government must also step up and be much more intentional about digital inclusion.

“It’s not just the millions of older people who aren’t internet savvy or online at all who are losing out from the rush towards digital everything, it’s also the estimated 8.5 million adults of working age who struggle with reading and writing and who are unlikely to thrive in a digital world.

“This announcement about ID Cards arguably signals that we’ve reached a tipping point so far as the shift towards digital is concerned, though even without it that moment was drawing near. From the NHS to parking, interacting with Government services to banking, computer enabled approaches are increasingly the norm and there’s no turning back.

“However, rather than an orderly transition to a new digital world we’re seeing something more like the Gold Rush, with technical design that varies from the excellent to the risible and with no serious or joined up efforts to help those being cut adrift.

“There will always be some people, of all ages, who for various reasons do not use computers so there will be a continuing need to provide good offline alternatives. However, we could reduce the numbers who depend on them with a Government-led and co-ordinated programme so those who want to go online can do so.

“More fundamentally, there is a responsibility on decision-makers to ensure that everyone benefits from the advance of technology, whether they are digital natives or not. This means developing so-called ‘assisted digital’ approaches too.

“The sprint towards digital by default is chaotic, unfair and inefficient and it’s only with Government leadership that we’ve any chance of getting the best from it and sharply reducing the numbers who feel totally excluded, among them millions of older people. If digital ID cards are coming this really must change.”

Digital IDs have “too long been the most powerful tool left on the shelf”, Sir Tony Blair’s think tank said.

Alexander Iosad, director of government innovation policy at the Tony Blair Institute, said: “The Prime Minister is right to say in his speech today that we need to show people the state is on their side and make it work for them. Digital ID can and should be the gateway to this.

“The contribution digital ID can make to combating illegal migration and the criminal groups that exploit desperate people is part of this. But importantly, digital ID can do so much more for our citizens, our communities, and our country.

“Imagine being pre-approved and notified about the services, benefits or tax breaks you’re entitled to, no more lengthy forms, no waiting, no more backdating. Issues in your community reported at a tap and tracking progress on those reports with complete transparency. A new generation of public services built on fairness, control and convenience – personalised, preventative, always on.”

He continued: “It’s too long been the most powerful tool left on the shelf for this country. The public are calling for a state that works and the country to be transformed. This is the moment of opportunity to deliver it – it must not be missed.”