Keir Starmer comes out fighting as he promises radical change - but gives too little detail
Sir Keir suggested he will move to the left - but the nationalisation of British Steel reminds Scots that Grangemouth was allowed to close
Sir Keir Starmer came out fighting on Monday as he battles for his future. But as has happened too often under his leadership, it was more rhetoric than detail.
The Prime Minister gave a speech in which promised not to “walk away” after terrible Holyrood, Senedd and English council election results last week.
He was punchier and more upbeat as he vowed to prove his “doubters” wrong, suggesting he would move to the left.
Sir Keir admitted that “incremental change won’t cut it” and promised not to go “back to a status quo” which didn’t work.
But with little detail about how he would fundamentally turn things around it is hard to see how he can win over his own MPs and the country.
He threw some red meat to his backbenchers as he hopes to dissuade them from backing his rivals.
The Prime Minister pledged to go further in his “reset” in relations with the EU, putting Britain at the “heart of Europe”.
He pledged to deliver “an ambitious youth experience scheme” with the EU so that “our young people can work and study and live in Europe.”
Sir Keir vowed to block “far-right agitators” from coming to the UK for a march planned on Saturday, saying the demonstration was “designed to confront and intimidate”.
He also promised to bring forward new legislation to nationalise British Steel. The Government had taken over the running of the Scunthorpe plant last year.
None of this is nearly enough to change the electorate’s view of him.
And the British Steel nationalisation reminds Scotland that the Grangemouth oil refinery did not receive the same treatment.
The UK Government taking over the refinery would have been a great PR move and would have made a difference at last week’s Holyrood election.
It would have indicated that the Prime Minister really cares about Scottish industry and jobs.
It would have shown the big difference a Labour Government can make, with a move which neither the Tories or SNP could have delivered.
Thursday’s results would suggest that the damage is already done.
The public is severely disappointed with Sir Keir and the Labour Government.
It has made blunder after blunder, from the Winter Fuel Payment U-turn to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador.
Sir Keir said it had ”got the big political choices right”, pointing to staying out of the Iran conflict and more money for public services.
Though few members of the public would agree that he has made the right calls.
The speech had few specifics but the PM had the bit between his teeth - something we have rarely seen from him.
He will hope to emulate his turnaround after the dismal Hartlepool election result in 2021 - where he nearly resigned as Labour leader.
And the SNP’s big win in last week’s Holyrood election - a miraculous recovery after a dreadful 2024 general election - further demonstrates how quickly politics can change.
The King’s Speech on Wednesday gives Sir Keir a big opportunity to set out a new course for the Government.
If it is not radical enough, Labour MPs will be further inclined to move against him.
If it is bold, it may persuade them to give him a bit more time.
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