Can Sir Keir Starmer revive the Labour Party?
Discussion
I think the odds of Labour winning the election in five years are low. It would need the Government to make a very serious cockup for starters and as we saw with Blair and Iraq, that doesn't always provide a window for the opposition to seize power.
I think Starmer needs to do the following things which are all about rebuilding Labour's credibility:
- Support the Government when it's doing the right thing, don't oppose for the sake of opposition.
- Where the Government is failing, ask intelligent questions and make intelligent proposals in the spirit of being a check and balance. Seek to influence Government behaviour and work with them to ensure they do the right thing. Be factual, reasonable and accurate. Be challenging but again, don't oppose for the sake of opposing.
- Slowly develop credible Labour policies that address the failings of the Government and build on the things they've done well. Accept that if the Government is broadly successful, it may be tricky to find those one or two issues that really differentiate Labour.
- Speak openly and honestly. Don't be bullied by the press.
- Stamp out Momentum. Get away from the extreme left wing bias and aim to a more social conservative position, being to the left of the BoJo Tory Government but still credible. Effectively, take the party back where it was under Blair but with the gravitas and credibility New Labour lacked.
- Aim to re-engage with real people and get away from the London woke bubble.
- Build a shadow cabinet of A players.
If Starmer can tackle these things, he will build a credible and valuable opposition party. Even then, it may take up to 10 years of practising these principles for Labour to get another shot at power. But they must do them otherwise their only hope of power is a serious failure on the part of the Government. I think they can and should do better.
I think Starmer needs to do the following things which are all about rebuilding Labour's credibility:
- Support the Government when it's doing the right thing, don't oppose for the sake of opposition.
- Where the Government is failing, ask intelligent questions and make intelligent proposals in the spirit of being a check and balance. Seek to influence Government behaviour and work with them to ensure they do the right thing. Be factual, reasonable and accurate. Be challenging but again, don't oppose for the sake of opposing.
- Slowly develop credible Labour policies that address the failings of the Government and build on the things they've done well. Accept that if the Government is broadly successful, it may be tricky to find those one or two issues that really differentiate Labour.
- Speak openly and honestly. Don't be bullied by the press.
- Stamp out Momentum. Get away from the extreme left wing bias and aim to a more social conservative position, being to the left of the BoJo Tory Government but still credible. Effectively, take the party back where it was under Blair but with the gravitas and credibility New Labour lacked.
- Aim to re-engage with real people and get away from the London woke bubble.
- Build a shadow cabinet of A players.
If Starmer can tackle these things, he will build a credible and valuable opposition party. Even then, it may take up to 10 years of practising these principles for Labour to get another shot at power. But they must do them otherwise their only hope of power is a serious failure on the part of the Government. I think they can and should do better.
Edited by hackjo on Saturday 4th April 11:53
hackjo said:
I think the odds of Labour winning the election in five years are low. It would need the Government to make a very serious cockup for starters and as we saw with Blair and Iraq, that doesn't always provide a window for the opposition to seize power.
I think Starmer needs to do the following things which are all about rebuilding Labour's credibility:
- Support the Government when it's doing the right thing, don't oppose for the sake of opposition.
- Where the Government is failing, ask intelligent questions and make intelligent proposals in the spirit of being a check and balance. Seek to influence Government behaviour and work with them to ensure they do the right thing. Be factual, reasonable and accurate. Be challenging but again, don't oppose for the sake of opposing.
- Slowly develop credible Labour policies that address the failings of the Government and build on the things they've done well. Accept that if the Government is broadly successful, it may be tricky to find those one or two issues that really differentiate Labour.
- Speak openly and honestly. Don't be bullied by the press
If Starmer can tackle these things, he will build a credible and valuable opposition party. Even then, it may take up to 10 years of practising these principles for Labour to get another shot at power. But they must do them otherwise their only hope of power is a serious failure on the part of the Government. I think they can and should do better.
You missed out purge the hard left.I think Starmer needs to do the following things which are all about rebuilding Labour's credibility:
- Support the Government when it's doing the right thing, don't oppose for the sake of opposition.
- Where the Government is failing, ask intelligent questions and make intelligent proposals in the spirit of being a check and balance. Seek to influence Government behaviour and work with them to ensure they do the right thing. Be factual, reasonable and accurate. Be challenging but again, don't oppose for the sake of opposing.
- Slowly develop credible Labour policies that address the failings of the Government and build on the things they've done well. Accept that if the Government is broadly successful, it may be tricky to find those one or two issues that really differentiate Labour.
- Speak openly and honestly. Don't be bullied by the press
If Starmer can tackle these things, he will build a credible and valuable opposition party. Even then, it may take up to 10 years of practising these principles for Labour to get another shot at power. But they must do them otherwise their only hope of power is a serious failure on the part of the Government. I think they can and should do better.
hackjo said:
I think the odds of Labour winning the election in five years are low. It would need the Government to make a very serious cockup for starters and as we saw with Blair and Iraq, that doesn't always provide a window for the opposition to seize power.
Coronavirus could be Johnson's Falklands War. Mind you, there'll be some criticism on the way the NHS was treated in the recent past, mabe some from doctors and nurses, and they'll be looked upon in a sympathetic light. Hancock didn't help with his 'some nurses' comment. On the other hand, it may well be all forgotten at the next election if the economy is in a bit of a state. The electorate have never looked too kindly on a government that allows the economy to fall behind.
Everything might well depend on the econominc fallout of brexit, and that's a big unknown.
Derek Smith said:
Coronavirus could be Johnson's Falklands War. Mind you, there'll be some criticism on the way the NHS was treated in the recent past, mabe some from doctors and nurses, and they'll be looked upon in a sympathetic light. Hancock didn't help with his 'some nurses' comment.
On the other hand, it may well be all forgotten at the next election if the economy is in a bit of a state. The electorate have never looked too kindly on a government that allows the economy to fall behind.
Everything might well depend on the econominc fallout of brexit, and that's a big unknown.
If he has a good pandemic I suspect the elecorate will forgive an economic downturn. Saving lives is a good excuse.On the other hand, it may well be all forgotten at the next election if the economy is in a bit of a state. The electorate have never looked too kindly on a government that allows the economy to fall behind.
Everything might well depend on the econominc fallout of brexit, and that's a big unknown.
hackjo said:
I think the odds of Labour winning the election in five years are low. It would need the Government to make a very serious cockup for starters and as we saw with Blair and Iraq, that doesn't always provide a window for the opposition to seize power.
I think Starmer needs to do the following things which are all about rebuilding Labour's credibility:
- Support the Government when it's doing the right thing, don't oppose for the sake of opposition.
- Where the Government is failing, ask intelligent questions and make intelligent proposals in the spirit of being a check and balance. Seek to influence Government behaviour and work with them to ensure they do the right thing. Be factual, reasonable and accurate. Be challenging but again, don't oppose for the sake of opposing.
- Slowly develop credible Labour policies that address the failings of the Government and build on the things they've done well. Accept that if the Government is broadly successful, it may be tricky to find those one or two issues that really differentiate Labour.
- Speak openly and honestly. Don't be bullied by the press.
- Stamp out Momentum. Get away from the extreme left wing bias and aim to a more social conservative position, being to the left of the BoJo Tory Government but still credible. Effectively, take the party back where it was under Blair but with the gravitas and credibility New Labour lacked.
- Aim to re-engage with real people and get away from the London woke bubble.
- Build a shadow cabinet of A players.
If Starmer can tackle these things, he will build a credible and valuable opposition party. Even then, it may take up to 10 years of practising these principles for Labour to get another shot at power. But they must do them otherwise their only hope of power is a serious failure on the part of the Government. I think they can and should do better.
TBF that's a template you could apply to politics across the world right now.I think Starmer needs to do the following things which are all about rebuilding Labour's credibility:
- Support the Government when it's doing the right thing, don't oppose for the sake of opposition.
- Where the Government is failing, ask intelligent questions and make intelligent proposals in the spirit of being a check and balance. Seek to influence Government behaviour and work with them to ensure they do the right thing. Be factual, reasonable and accurate. Be challenging but again, don't oppose for the sake of opposing.
- Slowly develop credible Labour policies that address the failings of the Government and build on the things they've done well. Accept that if the Government is broadly successful, it may be tricky to find those one or two issues that really differentiate Labour.
- Speak openly and honestly. Don't be bullied by the press.
- Stamp out Momentum. Get away from the extreme left wing bias and aim to a more social conservative position, being to the left of the BoJo Tory Government but still credible. Effectively, take the party back where it was under Blair but with the gravitas and credibility New Labour lacked.
- Aim to re-engage with real people and get away from the London woke bubble.
- Build a shadow cabinet of A players.
If Starmer can tackle these things, he will build a credible and valuable opposition party. Even then, it may take up to 10 years of practising these principles for Labour to get another shot at power. But they must do them otherwise their only hope of power is a serious failure on the part of the Government. I think they can and should do better.
Edited by hackjo on Saturday 4th April 11:53
I fear the underlying issue is not something that can be addressed by telling people to grow up a bit and be sensible.
Derek Smith said:
Coronavirus could be Johnson's Falklands War.
I'm not convinced. It's not slotting dagos and then coming home to glory. That's easily packaged and swallowed. No matter who's in charge and how it's handled there'll never be a satisfactory conclusion for some and there may never be a definitive conclusion. I'll bet any politician would give anything for a straightforward war if offered it as an alternative.
The makeup of his shadow cabinet will be key.
Unfortunately his pool of talent is extremely shallow. He cannot rely on Corbanistas, he has Crayons at his back and momentum already planning their revenge.
When he was heading up the CPS he was a disaster so organisation and strategic leadership is not his forte.
I think he will preside over open civil war in the Labour Party which will consign them to the opposition benches for the next two elections.
Unfortunately his pool of talent is extremely shallow. He cannot rely on Corbanistas, he has Crayons at his back and momentum already planning their revenge.
When he was heading up the CPS he was a disaster so organisation and strategic leadership is not his forte.
I think he will preside over open civil war in the Labour Party which will consign them to the opposition benches for the next two elections.
KarlMac said:
Why have most headlines dropped the 'Sir' now he's leader?
I noticed this 
If ever there was an open goal surely this is it? The value of key workers being highlighted nationally whilst Boris’s tax dodging billionaire mates are either saying they want to be bailed out or laying all their staff off.
Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff