Labour has energy but is perceived as 'tired, same-again', says Lord Falconer

Keir Starmer's government is seen as "a tired bunch of same-again politicians" and must rediscover a reforming zeal and energy, the former UK justice secretary Charlie Falconer has said.

- Jessica Elgot

The Labour peer, who held a number of senior positions under Tony Blair, said the government "lacked a sense of energy", and that this was even more important to restore than to pursue any search for a wider narrative or story - one of the most common criticisms of the government.

Without that, he said, Labour risked losing all credit for its major achievements from employment and renters' rights, to green energy and major infrastructure investments.

Falconer, a former close adviser to Starmer who served in his first shadow cabinet, said he believed he was still the right leader for the party but added that missteps in Labour's first year had resulted in a massive drop in confidence for ministers, which must now be regained.

He said that No 10 should learn from agenda-driven cabinet ministers such as Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood on how to unapologetically drive through ideological change on housing, energy and the justice system.

Falconer said he was worried the party's best announcements were being missed or overshadowed.