Scare Starmer more than the ghosts do

Submitted by AWL on 11 January, 2022 - 2:44 Author: Colin Foster
Starmer

Ten Downing Street, when asked whether Tony Blair “deserves” the knighthood recently granted him, replied that it had no part in the decision. It belonged only to the Queen.

Yet Keir Starmer eagerly smarmed for Blair: he had “vastly improved the country”. He didn’t even skirt the question in the obvious way, by pointing out that such medieval “honours” are always in due course given to former prime ministers, so merit has nothing to do with it.

In a December interview Starmer was asked: is he a socialist? Even Tony Blair used to say he was a “democratic socialist”. Starmer evaded: “What does that mean?”

In July 2020 he was asked about a possible Border referendum in Northern Ireland. Any previous Labour leader would skirt the question, saying it was not their choice but that of the people of Northern Ireland. Starmer insisted he would back the Unionists.

When prompted to say something left-wing, however bland, he stalls and evades; when invited to wave a flag for a shift to the right, he makes a panicky exhibition of it.

Is Starmer more right-wing even than Blair? Mostly he just seems more nervous. He talks as if he senses a ghostly conservative, small-c, voter always standing behind him and ready to swat him if he offends. To actual small-c conservative voters this can signal only that Starmer is weak and clueless.

Even Andrew Harrop, secretary of the Labour-right Fabian Society, chided Starmer on 6 January for not pushing Labour policies on climate change and workers’ rights (which on paper are still as good as in the Corbyn era) “with more vigour”.

Really, the unions need to scare Starmer more than the conservative ghosts do.

• More on "Sir Tony”

This website uses cookies, you can find out more and set your preferences here.
By continuing to use this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.