the happiest people make the best of everything…
In an ironic twist to Blair’s upbeat and positive arrival in office, Sir Keir’s signature tune appears to be ‘things can only get worser!’ and his post-election speeches have started to cast dark shadows over potential plans and ambitions. We all appreciate difficult decisions have to be taken, and readily admit that two already have, but is Starmer proving to be the doomster and gloomster Bojo warned us of?
Keir Starmer speaks of doing things differently, of avoiding ‘performance politics’ and on being judged by actions not words. Having won praise for his handling of the summer riots and for finally getting all the striking parties round the national collective bargaining table, these actions need to be visible, sooner than later, in the NHS, in Social Care and in the Welfare State writ large. Furthermore, his flagship policy promise to renationalise the rail industry needs to be progressed without delay. Ditto his renegotiation of our European trading relationship in order to reduce friction in food trade, mutual recognition of professional qualifications and, ideally, free movement on youth mobility.
A little pizzazz can undoubtedly transform an politician’s profile – just look at the contrast between the impact of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on the Democratic Party over the pond – but Sir Keir appears to be modelling himself on the relentlessly miserable persona of ‘Austerity Osborne/Gormless Gideon’. Mind, both he and Cameron were rewarded with a convincing win in 2015! Both Starmer and Rachel Reeves should fulfil their tax promise and should not flinch from making the right economic decisions for the right reasons. In reality, they have time on their side, and if that means those with the broadest shoulders are taxed accordingly to help rectify our public services whilst providing a real, tangible levelling-up programme, then so be it.
Follow the money, Sir Keir, and many of us remain happy to always look on the bright side of life.
