The Labour party is facing a series of challenges on multiple fronts, from concerns about the impact of AI on the music industry to potential roadblocks in defence spending and difficulties in fulfilling promises on energy bills. Let's take a look at some of the key issues.
AI Deepfakes and the Music Industry
Government proposals that would allow Big Tech companies to access Britain's musical archives are raising alarms within the music industry. Insiders warn that this could worsen the "epidemic" of AI-generated "deepfake" songs that are already plaguing the internet. These deepfakes can mimic the voices and styles of famous artists, potentially harming their careers and intellectual property rights. 
This initiative, intended to foster innovation, may inadvertently open the floodgates to even more sophisticated and difficult-to-detect fake songs.
“The potential for misuse is enormous," says one industry insider. "We need safeguards to protect artists and ensure fair compensation."
Justice System and Sentencing Guidelines
Another area of contention surrounds the justice system. A 2017 review conducted by the Foreign Secretary has been cited as the inspiration for new sentencing guidelines. Critics argue that these guidelines have led to a "two-tier" system, with minority criminals receiving "softer sentences." This has sparked public fury and accusations of bias within the justice system. 
The debate highlights deep divisions in public opinion regarding fairness and equality in the application of the law.
The Sentencing Council maintains that its guidelines aim to promote consistency and proportionality in sentencing, while critics argue that the practical effect has been to create disparities based on ethnicity.
Defence Spending and Ethical Investment
Labour's plans to increase defence spending could face significant obstacles due to the ethical investment policies of many large pension funds. These funds often avoid investing in arms-related industries, citing concerns about human rights and environmental impact. This could create a funding gap, making it difficult for Labour to meet its defence spending targets. 
Finding alternative sources of funding or convincing pension funds to reconsider their investment policies will be a major challenge.
Energy Bills and Treasury Resistance
Finally, Miatta Fahnbulleh, a newly appointed Labour minister with a background in left-wing economics, faces a "baptism of fire" as she attempts to fulfill Labour's promise to cut energy bills for the British public. However, she faces strong resistance from the Treasury, which is reluctant to change its stance on energy policy. 
Convincing the Treasury to budge will be a mammoth task, and Fahnbulleh's success will be crucial to Labour's credibility on economic issues.
These challenges demonstrate the complex political landscape that Labour faces. Addressing these issues effectively will be crucial for the party's success in the coming years.