The UK prison system is facing a severe capacity crisis, with fewer than 100 spaces available over the August Bank Holiday. In response, Keir Starmer's government plans to implement an early release scheme that could free up to 4,500 prisoners by October, but this raises concerns about the already overstretched probation service, which is short over 2,100 officers. Starmer has been criticized for blaming the previous Conservative administration for the current state of affairs while facing allegations of cronyism in his own appointments. His recent speech in the Downing Street garden aimed to project an image of accountability, yet it was overshadowed by questions regarding his government’s integrity. As Labour seeks to shift blame for the nation's troubles, the party's strategy seems to echo that of former Prime Minister David Cameron, who also criticized his predecessors after taking office. With the next general election still years away, the political landscape in the UK is already heating up as both parties prepare for a prolonged campaign.