Daily Politics from the New Statesman Predictions for the year ahead
Dec 19, 2025
The hosts discuss Wes Streeting's controversial approach to the NHS and its impact on Labour's image. They debate the Lib Dems' seriousness as a political force and their local campaigning strategies. Predictions for 2026 include potential Labour leadership contests and escalating civil unrest. One host foresees the Greens gaining traction over Labour, while internal tensions within Reform could lead to unpredictable outcomes. The team commits to revisiting these intriguing forecasts amid a rapidly changing political landscape.
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Streeting's Rhetoric Risks Party Backlash
- Wes Streeting's confrontational rhetoric risks alienating Labour members despite appealing to average voters.
- His framing of junior doctors as threats ties into a broader Labour values vs reform narrative about the NHS.
NHS Framing As A Values Battle
- Rachel Cunliffe notes Streeting frames strikes as a threat to the NHS and positions himself as its saviour.
- That values-based framing seeks to make the election about belief in the NHS rather than managerial targets.
Plan Coverage To Avoid Tunnel Vision
- Newsrooms should plan coverage beyond immediate leadership stories to avoid sidelining important policy issues.
- The team acknowledged they may have undercovered healthcare policy while focusing on Labour leadership manoeuvres.