Keir Starmer’s first conference speech since Labour‘s historic general election win amounted to a relaunch of his Government. Most incoming Prime Ministers use their first 100 days to front load bold ideas and use their political capital to maximum effect.
But Starmer copied the David Cameron strategy of 2010 by prioritising pain over gain, slashing Winter Fuel Payments and warning of a horror Budget in October. He has tried to use the levers of Government to implant in the public’s mind that the Tories left behind economic carnage.
Starmer’s problem is the freebies scandal has undercut the narrative of tough choices. The contrast of him benefiting from free clothes while the elderly are asked to make sacrifices is a terrible political look. But the address was a welcome move at offering hope to people after 14 years of austerity and sacrifice.
His promise of “light at the end of this tunnel” after difficult spending decisions will be a relief to millions. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who has been worried about the Government’s gloominess of the past month, will be pleased.
But despite an upbeat conference speech, there remains a strong sense Starmer had a plan for winning power but no roadmap for governing. His team knew money would be in short supply and needed a bold plan for change that cost little money.
The model was 1997 where Tony Blair’s Government rapidly made the Bank of England independent, delivered devolution and secured peace in Northern Ireland. An updated version would have been for Starmer to recognise the public’s contempt for Westminster by promising to fix our broken politics.
Starmer has instead opted to be the bearer of bad news while giving the impression his administration is a continuation of the shady practices of the Tories. The sooner the black cloud lifts the better.
A Prime Minister with a majority of 174 is able to wield power that his counterparts in the West can only dream about. President Macron is the nominal figurehead of a divided France and has little power to do anything of substance, while President Biden is a lame duck in all but name.
Starmer will never again possess a majority this big and he needs to make his mark by reforming institutions and putting cash into people’s pockets. This means taking money from those with the broadest shoulders, not elderly widowers on twelve grand a year.
Voters are increasingly unforgiving and Starmer only has one chance to make a first impression.
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