Labour Party Chair Anna Turley has robustly defended the Government's series of high-profile policy U-turns, framing them not as a sign of weakness but as evidence of a confident administration that listens to the public.
Listening, not backtracking, says Labour Chair
Speaking to broadcasters on Thursday, 9 January 2026, Turley addressed the latest reversal, where ministers are poised to announce enhanced financial support for struggling pubs. She rejected the characterisation of these moves as simple U-turns. "I don't buy this is a U-turn. This is actually about listening," she told Sky News. "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."
Turley argued that this approach stands in stark contrast to an ideological stubbornness. "I think listening to constituents isn't being bullied or lobbied - that's what we're here to do," she stated. "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'."
A string of high-profile policy shifts
The pending announcement on pub support, expected within days, follows significant pushback from the hospitality industry. The Treasury, under Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has been examining measures to help the sector since before Christmas. The new package is understood to likely include changes to business rates and efforts to reduce licensing red tape.
This is not an isolated incident. Since coming to power in 2024, the Labour government has reversed course on several major policies, including:
- Winter fuel payments for pensioners
- Planned changes to the benefits system
- A proposed hike to income taxes
- Inheritance tax rules affecting farms
The hospitality sector has been vocal about its struggles, warning of widespread closures due to soaring costs. Some Labour MPs have even reported being barred from their local pubs by angry landlords.
Industry and ministerial reaction
Carolyn Harris MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for UK Spirits, highlighted the broader challenges. "Pubs are more than pints," she said. "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 emphasised the Government's commitment, stating ministers had been in talks with the industry. He stressed "how important the pub industry is economically and culturally to the UK" and added, "We really value the role of the pub in British life. We want to help pubs."
In her interview with LBC News, Anna Turley reiterated her core message, stating the Government keeps 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," she concluded.
