OPINION
Kemi Badenoch faces a threat other than Nigel Farage (Image: PA)
After the most catastrophic start by any prime minister in my lifetime, with the exception of Liz Truss, I find myself applauding much of what Keir Starmer and his government has done these past two weeks. It’s taken me by surprise. Managing a tricky Oval Office chat? Tick. Cutting expenditure on aid to pump more into defence? Tick, tick. Supporting Zelensky, who has led his country through three years of merciless, unprovoked violence from the odious Putin? Tick, tick, tick. Labour also appears, at last, to realise that all that net-zero virtue-signalling could actually undermine growth and prosperity.
It looks like Ed Miliband is being sidelined, and that the government might row back on its sillier ideas about combustion engines, gas boilers, airports and oil refineries. Unless we’re being lied to (don’t rule that out), Rachel Reeves seems to understand that Britain’s humongous welfare bill is unsustainable. And Labour is toughening its stance, from a desperately low base, on illegal migration. But are these moves back towards common sense just flashes in the pan? Will they be snatched away? Will extreme, socialist Labour rear its ugly head once more?
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Sponsored
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read NowTips and Tricks
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Angela Rayner dealt huge blow as major 'workers rights' plan faces chop
33 Comments
Ed Miliband 'could face axe' in Starmer Cabinet reshuffle
60 Comments
Even Labour's had enough of Ed Miliband as Rachel Reeves leads war on net zero
229 Comments
Major Cash ISA update as Labour breaks silence on ￡4,000 cap
38 Comments
Reform UK reveal exact poll result Nigel Farage needs to become next PM
212 Comments
Keir Starmer's diplomatic wins don't address gaping holes that should terrify Labour
116 Comments
Rachel Reeves eyes billions in welfare cuts amid economic pressures
8 Comments
Rishi Sunak urges Keir Starmer to boost defence spending by slashing benefits bill
128 Comments
Why Keir Starmer sacking Ed Miliband won't help Labour beat Nigel Farage
91 Comments
Rachel Reeves is set to bring anger and pain to her own party
56 Comments
PMQs LIVE: Kemi Badenoch set to clash with Keir Starmer after momentous week
309 Comments
Labour civil war brewing over Rachel Reeves's family farm tax raid
46 Comments
Rachel Reeves is about to admit that reality has finally caught up with Labour Party
102 Comments
Keir Starmer must reverse course now or lofty words about Putin will prove pointless
43 Comments
看看世界上第一个七胞胎在21岁时的样子吧Story To Hear
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer tipped to sack Ed Miliband in brutal reshuffle
163 Comments
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
127 Comments
Senior Singles ConnectionSecretmeet Read More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Crisis for Keir Starmer as Labour ‘split' over disastrous tax hikes
31 Comments
DWP budget set to be slashed as hundreds of thousands face having benefits cuts
6 Comments
男孩以为自己救了狗，得知真相後脸色惨白Daily-Tales.com 阅读更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Lefty Labour MPs organising rebellion against Keir Starmer's foreign aid cut plans
152 Comments
Labour braces for civil war as Rachel Reeves set to slash billions in new austerity drive
239 Comments
狗狗不肯让宝宝一个人睡——父母知道原因后，立刻报警了有趣事实
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Angela Rayner dealt huge blow as major 'workers rights' plan faces chop
33 Comments
Ed Miliband 'could face axe' in Starmer Cabinet reshuffle
60 Comments
三个月内两度赴加沙 - 经歷同事战火中丧生无国界医生（香港） 立即捐款
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Even Labour's had enough of Ed Miliband as Rachel Reeves leads war on net zero
229 Comments
Major Cash ISA update as Labour breaks silence on ￡4,000 cap
38 Comments
眼袋看起来老10岁！只是涂万宁买的「这个」japonelifeskeem-hk.com 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Reform UK reveal exact poll result Nigel Farage needs to become next PM
212 Comments
Keir Starmer's diplomatic wins don't address gaping holes that should terrify Labour
116 Comments
II型糖尿病的早期症状HealthLife
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves eyes billions in welfare cuts amid economic pressures
8 Comments
Rishi Sunak urges Keir Starmer to boost defence spending by slashing benefits bill
128 Comments
After Losing Weight Kevin James Looks Like A ModelOld Money Style
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Why Keir Starmer sacking Ed Miliband won't help Labour beat Nigel Farage
91 Comments
Rachel Reeves is set to bring anger and pain to her own party
56 Comments
IVDC陪诊员基础证书汇纵专业发展中心 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
PMQs LIVE: Kemi Badenoch set to clash with Keir Starmer after momentous week
309 Comments
Labour civil war brewing over Rachel Reeves's family farm tax raid
46 Comments
The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The WorldMarvelousa
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves is about to admit that reality has finally caught up with Labour Party
102 Comments
Keir Starmer must reverse course now or lofty words about Putin will prove pointless
43 Comments
Keir Starmer tipped to sack Ed Miliband in brutal reshuffle
163 Comments
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
127 Comments
Crisis for Keir Starmer as Labour ‘split' over disastrous tax hikes
31 Comments
DWP budget set to be slashed as hundreds of thousands face having benefits cuts
6 Comments
Lefty Labour MPs organising rebellion against Keir Starmer's foreign aid cut plans
152 Comments
Labour braces for civil war as Rachel Reeves set to slash billions in new austerity drive
239 Comments
Angela Rayner dealt huge blow as major 'workers rights' plan faces chop
33 Comments
Ed Miliband 'could face axe' in Starmer Cabinet reshuffle
60 Comments
Even Labour's had enough of Ed Miliband as Rachel Reeves leads war on net zero
229 Comments
Major Cash ISA update as Labour breaks silence on ￡4,000 cap
38 Comments
Reform UK reveal exact poll result Nigel Farage needs to become next PM
212 Comments
Keir Starmer's diplomatic wins don't address gaping holes that should terrify Labour
116 Comments
Rachel Reeves eyes billions in welfare cuts amid economic pressures
8 Comments
Don't miss... 'Kemi Badenoch upstaged on key Brexit fishing question at PMQs — by the SNP' [LATEST]
After all, this is a government that, in its first seven months, raised taxes by a mammoth amount, rewarded striking train drivers with huge pay increases, pumped yet more into the NHS without reform, further undermined free speech, borrowed ￡40 billion, and took the economy from the top of the G7 to the bottom.
And this is a prime minister who tried his darndest to get Jeremy Corbyn into power, used to support the abolition of the monarchy, had links with communism, demanded a longer, harder lockdown, and reckons that women can have male genitalia.
So perhaps we shouldn’t celebrate the government’s rightwards pivot too soon.
Sponsored
Rebang 360世上不花钱的7味「长寿药」，90%都不知道，就算佔1个也很好
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
But here’s the deal: Starmer isn’t really in charge. Nor is anyone whose face we might recognise. The guy who matters is Morgan McSweeney, shadowy Chief of Staff, who realised long ago the Corbynites were a disaster, and knew the only solution was to destroy them. This required a malleable yet plausible front man who could pose as “continuity Corbyn” to the members, win their votes, but then haul the party away from the woke far left once in power.
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Starmer was happy to play that part. Although ostensibly from Labour’s left, he doesn’t care much about ideology, has no more integrity than any other politician and isn’t bothered by flip-flopping. What he cares about is power. He is spectacularly ambitious. And for any Labour prime minister the best guarantee of power is in the centre, particularly with the Conservatives struggling so badly.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Angela Rayner dealt huge blow as major 'workers rights' plan faces chop
33 Comments
Ed Miliband 'could face axe' in Starmer Cabinet reshuffle
60 Comments
Even Labour's had enough of Ed Miliband as Rachel Reeves leads war on net zero
229 Comments
Major Cash ISA update as Labour breaks silence on ￡4,000 cap
38 Comments
Reform UK reveal exact poll result Nigel Farage needs to become next PM
212 Comments
Keir Starmer's diplomatic wins don't address gaping holes that should terrify Labour
116 Comments
Rachel Reeves eyes billions in welfare cuts amid economic pressures
8 Comments
Rishi Sunak urges Keir Starmer to boost defence spending by slashing benefits bill
128 Comments
Why Keir Starmer sacking Ed Miliband won't help Labour beat Nigel Farage
91 Comments
Rachel Reeves is set to bring anger and pain to her own party
56 Comments
PMQs LIVE: Kemi Badenoch set to clash with Keir Starmer after momentous week
309 Comments
Labour civil war brewing over Rachel Reeves's family farm tax raid
46 Comments
Rachel Reeves is about to admit that reality has finally caught up with Labour Party
102 Comments
Keir Starmer must reverse course now or lofty words about Putin will prove pointless
43 Comments
机电工程署「技术员训练计划」现正招聘。截止申请日期：3月10日机电工程署 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer tipped to sack Ed Miliband in brutal reshuffle
163 Comments
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
127 Comments
She Was Everyone's Dream Girl, Take a Look At Her NowBoite A Scoop
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Crisis for Keir Starmer as Labour ‘split' over disastrous tax hikes
31 Comments
DWP budget set to be slashed as hundreds of thousands face having benefits cuts
6 Comments
工程Top-up Degrees 专业技能助您筑起前路SHAPE 才晋高等教育学院 立即申请
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Lefty Labour MPs organising rebellion against Keir Starmer's foreign aid cut plans
152 Comments
Labour braces for civil war as Rachel Reeves set to slash billions in new austerity drive
239 Comments
SHAPE Design Top-up Degrees 培育创意无限设计人才SHAPE 才晋高等教育学院 立即申请
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Angela Rayner dealt huge blow as major 'workers rights' plan faces chop
33 Comments
Ed Miliband 'could face axe' in Starmer Cabinet reshuffle
60 Comments
Stunning Country Girls: A Visual DelightTrue Edition
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Even Labour's had enough of Ed Miliband as Rachel Reeves leads war on net zero
229 Comments
Major Cash ISA update as Labour breaks silence on ￡4,000 cap
38 Comments
Dog Raises 3 Tiger Cubs - Years Later Zookeeper Bursts Into Tears When Tiger Does The Unexpected5minstory.com
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Reform UK reveal exact poll result Nigel Farage needs to become next PM
212 Comments
Keir Starmer's diplomatic wins don't address gaping holes that should terrify Labour
116 Comments
Scarlett Johansson, 40, Shows Off Her Actual Size In A New PhotosThe Latest Article
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves eyes billions in welfare cuts amid economic pressures
8 Comments
Rishi Sunak urges Keir Starmer to boost defence spending by slashing benefits bill
128 Comments
Dana Delany, 68, Shows Off Her Perfect Figure In A New PhotoReportingly
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Why Keir Starmer sacking Ed Miliband won't help Labour beat Nigel Farage
91 Comments
Rachel Reeves is set to bring anger and pain to her own party
56 Comments
15 Most Beautiful Women EverHalf Eddie
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
PMQs LIVE: Kemi Badenoch set to clash with Keir Starmer after momentous week
309 Comments
Labour civil war brewing over Rachel Reeves's family farm tax raid
46 Comments
This Woman Lives in a Garage – But Wait Until you see Inside!Tips and Tricks
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves is about to admit that reality has finally caught up with Labour Party
102 Comments
Keir Starmer must reverse course now or lofty words about Putin will prove pointless
43 Comments
Keir Starmer tipped to sack Ed Miliband in brutal reshuffle
163 Comments
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
127 Comments
Crisis for Keir Starmer as Labour ‘split' over disastrous tax hikes
31 Comments
DWP budget set to be slashed as hundreds of thousands face having benefits cuts
6 Comments
Lefty Labour MPs organising rebellion against Keir Starmer's foreign aid cut plans
152 Comments
Labour braces for civil war as Rachel Reeves set to slash billions in new austerity drive
239 Comments
Angela Rayner dealt huge blow as major 'workers rights' plan faces chop
33 Comments
Ed Miliband 'could face axe' in Starmer Cabinet reshuffle
60 Comments
Even Labour's had enough of Ed Miliband as Rachel Reeves leads war on net zero
229 Comments
Major Cash ISA update as Labour breaks silence on ￡4,000 cap
38 Comments
Reform UK reveal exact poll result Nigel Farage needs to become next PM
212 Comments
Keir Starmer's diplomatic wins don't address gaping holes that should terrify Labour
116 Comments
Rachel Reeves eyes billions in welfare cuts amid economic pressures
8 Comments
Take a Look Inside The Mansion Where Tom Selleck's Lives AloneFavour Lifestyle
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
10 Mysterious Photos That Cannot Be ExplainedTrue Edition
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Wife won't let go of dog, husband finds out why and calls police - watch!Happy in Shape
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
The 15 Most Beautiful Beaches On EarthKingdom Of Men
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Well, it’s on the economy that we will know how serious Labour is, and just how successful McSweeney has been in sidelining the left. The autumn budget was a disaster. It was catastrophic for growth, jobs and prosperity and caused Labour’s declining ratings to jump off a cliff. It’s perhaps no coincidence that it took place while McSweeney was ensconced in a power struggle with Sue Gray.
But Labour now has the opportunity, under the cover of the Ukraine conflict, to target cuts in public spending while committing to no more tax hikes. If Reeves does that, and if Labour then maintains a shift towards the centre, it will put itself in a better position for the years ahead, further profiting from a Tory-Reform split on the right. In fact, Badenoch’s Tories, already squeezed by Reform, could be seriously threatened.
Is Starmer politically savvy enough to appreciate that opportunity? Will his nascent leftness consider it a bridge too far? Well, it doesn’t really matter. It’s what McSweeney thinks that counts.