How many people will Keir Starmer have to upset?
Paul Thompson
Public Affairs expert. I also write about Leadership, Productivity, Self-Discipline and Mindset | Personal Growth & Leadership Coach | Occasionally write about UK politics.
One theme of the election campaign has been how much do we really know Keir Starmer. Andrew Marr thinks that Starmer is not going to be radical but he′s a “tough old nut” and will be determined to implement his vision for the country.
The trouble will be how many groups Labour will have to upset to make that vision a reality. Ranging from local communities that don′t want houses built near them, to people relying on capital gains to improve their income, in due course people who want to pass on their inheritance to kids will be upset as there could be changes to inheritance tax, as will people in the South of England if council tax gets revalued.
There are big fights to come and that needs a lot of political capital. A big majority doesn′t automatically mean this. Marr thinks the real struggle for Labour as it tries it implement policy will be that as the party has avoided being really bold and open about the trade-offs it will run into a lot of trouble. There isn′t much political capital to spare.
?Marr also floats the possibility if the Liberal Democrats return a big bloc of MPs, they might try to find common cause of issues with new Labour MPs who are more to the left of the Starmer view of the world. It will be interesting to see the attitude Starmer then takes to party discipline. Encourage a broad church or clamp down on dissent quickly. Trouble ahead?
What helps government work well
Lord Gus O’ Donnell who worked closely with four prime ministers shares his thoughts on the Leading Podcast on what makes government works well. Plus he spills the beans on how intense and frenetic the first days of the first days of a new government transition can be.
O′Donnell stresses that from the start it′s vital to work very well with the Civil Service. He`s optimistic that this will happen with Labour and points out a new government will start with a good understanding of how the Civil Service works and understand its value (Keir Starmer attended O’ Donnell’s regular meeting of permanent secretaries, and Sue Gray – Starmer′s chief of staff - was O’Donnell’s Head of Propriety and Ethics).
Limiting reshuffles helps government run better by allowing ministers to grow into their roles and gives them the time to make significant changes. New Labour ministers may get the chance to do that as it was reported in The Sunday Times that Labour will try to keep ministers at the top in post for five years, as during the last Labour Government there were too many reshuffles.
O′Donnell also flags how the role of the Lords will be important in scrutinising legislation that comes from the Commons where Labour is expected to have a large majority.
Finally, he thinks there should be a tougher approach to tackling underperformance in the Civil Service as it has been too weak for years, and also there needs to be an acceptance that if you want the best experts to join government the Civil Service will need to pay what the private sector does attract and keep the best.?
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?Let battle commence!
On Friday, we'll get the first idea of who is going to throw their hat into the ring to be the next Conservative leader. The shadow boxing to replace Sunak will stop and the real fight will begin. However, the race may turn out differently from what we expected a few weeks ago.
Rachel Cunliffe writes that the future of the party will be defined by who is left standing between the moderate and right wings, given dire poll predictions. The main question for candidates and party voters won't be the old left vs right issue but “how should the Conservative Party react to Nigel Farage and the threat of Reform?” Candidates are going to have to explain whether the party should adopt similar stances to Reform to attract their voters or if it should tack to the centre to maintain its members and rebuild broader support.
Another crucial factor is choosing the next leader is finding one who can communicate well with the public, and who isn′t going to turn them off - especially important for an Opposition leader. Lastly, the ghost at the feat may be Boris Johnson, still influential due to his popularity with Conservative members. His support for a candidate could be a significant factor determining the race and potentially aiding his ally Priti Patel, who also remains popular with the party's right wing.
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Worth reading…
Mission-driven government is Labour’s slogan on how it will deliver its political agenda, but what is needed to make more than just hot air. Jill Rutter’s sets out why political will and cross-government collaboration is crucial.
With trust in politics at an all-time low what can be done to change this and mend British politics which is broken, according to Sam Freedman. He diagnoses the problem and offers some practical solutions that the next government could adopt.
Freddie Hayward argues that the influence Reform could have on Labour and UK politics in the long-term shouldn’t be underestimated, especially as the party support is growing with young people.
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There′s been no shortage of political events to inspire comedy and satire during the last few years and no doubt we can look forward to more with the expected new government. But why is British politics funny compared to other countries.
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8 个月No Need to upset anyone, those who don't fit will remove them Selfs accordingly, We Are here For Positive Leadership And Sir. Keir Starmer, Was, IS and Will Be a Positive Leader.