Pondering on the theme for this first column of 2025, I looked forward to spreading some optimism and positivity on my first day back at work … and found myself groaning instead at the news of Baroness Casey’s social care review. Labour’s social care review sounded good, until we heard the timetable.
Some near-term gestures aside, there will be no recommendations for a long-term solution until 2028.
This is a blow. Dorset’s population is older than average across the UK’s counties, and a sustainable solution to social care is essential to help the NHS. Despite many previous excellent reviews and commissions, it seems that we must once again repeat the exercise to buy time for this government.
In China it’s still the year of the Dragon until the Lunar New Year arrives on 29 January and we turn to the year of the Snake.
Nothing so exciting sounding here in the UK, where our government has made it feel like 2024 was the year of the stubbed toe – too painful to laugh off, but we’re just too hardened to cry about it either.
We could see it coming during the general election. Almost everyone I spoke to said they expected to pay more tax – they’d almost be glad to do so, to be rid of the Conservatives and get public services working again. The only people who seemingly didn’t know it were Keir, Angela, Rachel, Wes and co…
Boxed into a corner by undeliverable promises not to raise tax, they decided to escape by shooting a foot with the half-cocked pistol of winter fuel allowance. Then came a budget that hobbled the nation’s spirits, applying extra national insurance contributions that will just slow hiring and investment.
Let’s not even mention the farming inheritance tax bullet into the other foot. It’s been hard to maintain enthusiasm for this government – but we can’t afford for them to fail.
My optimism from this time last year has only been delayed, not extinguished. Our Dorset community resilience and local business innovation offer hope. Nationally, there are clear positives. Our national strengths – that Brexit and numerous Prime Ministerial failures called into doubt – are returning: we have political and legal stability, financial credibility and talented people. Our universities are stressed, but they and their research remain world class. Trumpian tariffs on goods may be threatened but our large and competitive services sector will help us.
Dorset needs sustainable social care, flood and climate resilience, intelligent devolution and planning reform in a thriving economy. All need to be fought for, and Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign through 2025 nationally to influence, and locally through Dorset Council, to implement and improve. I hope you will share my optimism and I wish you a Happy New Year.
Gary Jackson
North Dorset Liberal Democrats
