Labour’s Record for Women: Analysis with Penny East
A year On: Assessing Labor’s Progress on Women’s Issues
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As of August 21, 2025, a critical assessment of the Labour government’s first full year in office reveals a mixed record on pledges made to tackle misogyny and improve the lives of women across the United Kingdom.
Policy shifts and Revisions
The Labour party, under Sir Keir Starmer, entered office with a complete set of pledges outlined during the 2023 National policy Forum process and further detailed in their 2024 manifesto. However, the first year has been marked by a degree of policy recalibration. Notably, the government has reversed course on some earlier commitments, while reaffirming others. A comprehensive tracking effort, currently monitoring 192 campaign pledges, reveals a dynamic policy landscape (Pledge Progress, 2025).
One critically important reversal concerns the timeline for phasing out petrol and diesel cars. Labour has restored its original plan to ban the sale of new vehicles by 2030, overturning a decision made by the previous government in September 2023 (BBC News, 2024). This move aims to provide greater certainty for manufacturers and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.
Tackling Misogyny: A Complex Picture
While specific details regarding progress on tackling misogyny were not provided in the source materials, the broader context of policy shifts suggests a cautious approach. The Labour party’s initial commitment to a wide range of pledges, as formalized at the 2023 party conference in Liverpool (LabourList, 2023), indicates an intention to address systemic inequalities. However, the subsequent ditching of certain policies raises questions about the prioritization and feasibility of these goals.
It’s crucial to understand that policy implementation takes time, and a full assessment of the government’s impact on women’s lives will require a longer timeframe. The initial year has likely been focused on establishing the groundwork for future initiatives and navigating the complexities of governing.
Manifesto Pledges Under Scrutiny
The i Paper has begun a year-long assessment of how well the Labour government is delivering on its 2024 manifesto pledges (iNews, 2024). This ongoing scrutiny will provide a more detailed picture of the government’s performance across various policy areas, including those specifically impacting women.
The fact that such an assessment is underway highlights the importance of accountability and transparency in government. Citizens and advocacy groups will be closely watching to see which pledges are successfully implemented, which are modified, and which are abandoned altogether.