Where the goal was dropped rather than missed
5 goals declared by 3 people. The goal left the agenda — withdrawn, reversed, or overtaken — which is a different thing from trying and falling short. The status is the editors' reading of the record, not a verdict on the person; the words it starts from are quoted and linked underneath each one.
4 of 5 carry a dated source for the outcome itself. The rest are marked, because a status with nothing to click through to is our word and nothing more.
Former Prime Minister; Leader of the Labour Party
National renewal through pragmatic reform
May 2026 reset to accelerate growth and deregulation after two years of drift.
declared 2026-05-11
What they said they would do
2026-05-11SpeechIncremental change won't cut it any more — we need a step change in how this country is run.
Same May speech arguing Labour must move faster on growth and reform.
What the record shows happened
2026-07-20SpeechMy work is done.
Final speech as prime minister before handing over to a successor.
Four-word exit line drew comparisons to Thatcher and Blair departures.
The reset was announced in May 2026 and Starmer resigned that July, so the programme it opened was never run to a full term.
Former President of South Korea; serving life sentence for insurrection
Eradicate "anti-state forces" via emergency martial law
Dec. 3 decree aimed to crush what he called legislative dictatorship and pro-North forces; reversed within hours.
declared 2024-12-03
What they said they would do
2024-12-03SpeechDear fellow citizens, I am declaring a state of emergency martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threats of the North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the shameless pro-North anti-state forces that plunder the freedom and happiness of our people and to safeguard the free constitutional order.
Late-night televised emergency address; decree lifted within hours after lawmakers voted it down.
The speech that crashed Korean democracy into its deepest crisis since democratization.
What the record shows happened
2026-02-19ActionSeoul Central District Court sentenced him to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection via the martial-law bid; he maintained the decree was a warning to protect constitutional order. Lawyers called the verdict "a formality intended for a set conclusion."
First-instance verdict 14 months after Dec. 3; prosecutors had sought death; appeal path open.
Supporters wept outside court under "Yoon, again" banners while opponents demanded death.
The decree was reversed within hours and the Seoul Central District Court later treated it as an insurrection. Yoon maintains it was a constitutional emergency power exercised against a paralysed legislature.
Former Prime Minister; President, MoDem
Reduce deficit from 5.4%
Fiscal consolidation including pension reform and productivity measures.
declared 2025-01-14
What they said they would do
2025-01-14SpeechThe deficit stands at 5.4 percent of GDP — we cannot postpone the reckoning any longer.
Same policy statement quantifying fiscal crisis.
What the record shows happened
2025-09-08StatementParliament has voted to oust the government — I accept the result but warn the crisis remains unresolved.
No-confidence vote ending Bayrou premiership.
Parliament removed the government in September 2025 with the consolidation unfinished. Bayrou's case is that the arithmetic was never in dispute and the Assembly refused the arithmetic; his opponents' case is that the plan was never survivable.
Former Prime Minister; President, MoDem
Remove two public holidays
Boost working days to improve competitiveness.
declared 2025-07-16
What they said they would do
2025-07-16Policy proposalWe must work more — I propose removing two public holidays to increase national productivity.
Controversial plan echoing Barnier's failed austerity moves.
Holiday cut proposal triggered union outrage and Barnier déjà vu headlines.
What the record shows happened
2025-09-08StatementParliament has voted to oust the government — I accept the result but warn the crisis remains unresolved.
No-confidence vote ending Bayrou premiership.
The two-holidays proposal was still unlegislated when the government fell in September 2025.
Former President of South Korea; serving life sentence for insurrection
Abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family
Signature 2022 pledge; reorganization plans stalled in an opposition Assembly.
declared 2022-01-07
What they said they would do
2022-01-07Social postthe abolishment of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. (Facebook pledge)
Campaign Facebook post that ignited the gender-ministry abolition fight and helped mobilize young male voters.
The one-line Facebook pledge became a culture-war lightning rod of the 2022 race.
What the record shows happened
Not yet sourced. The status above is an editorial reading of the record; until a dated source is attached here, take it as our reading and not as evidence.
