Anna Turley insisted that the string of U-turns Labour has made since coming to power show it is willing to listen to voters - saying this is the sign of a 'confident government'
08:30, 09 Jan 2026Updated 10:51, 09 Jan 2026
The head of the Labour Party has defended Keir Starmer's string of U-turns - saying it is the sign of a confident Government.
On Thursday ministers backtracked on financial support for pubs - the latest case where they have changed their minds. Party chairwoman Anna Turley insisted it shows the Government is prepared to listen and not just "plough on ideologically".
She told Sky News: "I don't buy this is a U-turn. This is actually about listening. I think it's a sign of a Government that is actually in touch with people, that is listening to people, and that is responding."
It comes weeks after ministers backed down over inheritance tax on farms. Since coming to power in 2024 high-profile U-turns have also included winter fuel payments, benefit changes, and a planned hike to income taxes.
Ms Turley stated: "I think listening to constituents isn't being bullied or lobbied - that's what we're here to do."We're here to represent the people that we live amongst and, if a policy isn't right, I think it's a sign of a confident Government that says, 'do you know what? we'll step in, we'll sort it out, we'll make sure it works'."
She went on to tell LBC News: "If more needs to be done, we'll look at that and we keep every policy under review. And it's a sign of a confident government that's willing to listen to the public, take the right decisions and not just plough on ideologically."
On Thursday it emerged the Treasury is poised to announce a climbdown to help cash-strapped boozers, with enhanced support expected to be announced within days, the Mirror understands. The package is likely to include changes to business rates and measures to slash red tape for licensing regulation.
It comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves ordered officials to look at help for the struggling hospitality sector before Christmas amid significant pushback from firms. The industry has warned of the risk of widespread closures due to rising costs, and some Labour MPs have been barred from their locals by angry landlords.
Carolyn Harris MP, Chair of the APPG for UK Spirits, said: “Pubs are more than pints. Landlords tell me that there is a much higher profit margin on spirits. Amongst the higher costs pubs are facing is yet another hike in excise duty. We cannot support pubs and hospitality if the spirits sector isn’t empowered to thrive.”
Earlier, Cabinet Minister Pat McFadden said ministers had been in talks with the industry about concerns and stressed "how important the pub industry is economically and culturally to the UK". He added: "We really value the role of the pub in British life. We want to help pubs."