The Guardian view on Labour’s economic message: blaming the Tory legacy isn’t enough | Editorial

Without a clearer sense of a national destination, the prime minister risks being cast as an agent of continuity instead of change

There is always a stark contrast between the simplicityof a slogan that wins an election and the complexity of the task that greets an incoming government. For Labour, the challenge is especially acute becausethe headline promise of SirKeirStarmer's campaign was a single word: change". Aside from newfaces in ministerial offices, the reality for most people was always going to feel likemore of the same for some time.

Wednesday's release of official economic data, showing inflation up by 2.2% last month, illustrates the point. The increase is on the lower end of analysts' expectations, but high prices, especially for essential groceries, will still shape the public mood. The cost of living crisis that was a major factor in bringing down the Tories is now Labour's problem.