We’re in a hole, PM, so stop digging

NO ONE can deny that Sir Keir Starmer is downright honest.

In his first speech since taking power, the prime minister will bluntly warn this week that the situation will get worse before it gets better.

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He blames the downward spiral on the “deep rot” he inherited from the Tories.

And with admirable honesty, he admits that it will take time to turn the tide.

Sir Keir acted quickly after the riots and we support his position that the Government will not listen to criminals who use violence as their aim.

It is also good to see the Home Office cracking down on bosses who are fuelling the illegal migrant economy, threatening them with fines of up to £60,000 per worker.

But a warning to the Prime Minister:

While he is right to tackle the rioters, he must not ignore genuine concerns that Labour has no credible, long-term plans to tackle legal and illegal migration.

Sir Keir is also likely to be aware of the growing revolt against Rachel Reeves’ cuts to pensioners’ winter heating benefits.

And he must be aware that his acquiescence to the exorbitant wage demands of his union friends as a reward for their political support has fueled widespread anger.

The prime minister claims he has inherited an economic black hole. But some of the government’s pay policies have only made it deeper.

Perhaps he should remember the words of Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer Denis Healey from the 1970s.

“If you’re in a hole, stop digging.”

Tories without rudder

The Conservatives certainly needed time to recover from their election debacle this summer.

But it’s ridiculous that they won’t have a new leader for another two months.

The government is introducing radical new policies without any criticism and the Conservative base is understandably furious.

The party is clearly in shock. But they cannot let their fight drag on for another eight weeks.

As an opposition party, they have a democratic duty to unite behind a new leader and put Labour under the microscope.

One-sided minds

IT is bad enough that Aslef’s train drivers are on strike despite receiving a huge 14 percent pay rise.

But look at their beef. That managers had the nerve to contact them outside of work hours to offer them lucrative overtime.

The extra money could even take their salaries above £80,000.

This arrogant group of brothers will soon have the keys to the entire railway network.