A warning from the No 10 garden and an EU olive branch. We are finally seeing Starmerism in action | Martin Kettle
In terms of problems at home and abroad, the PM’s aims are ambitious, social democratic and long-term. But he will need continual public assent
On Tuesday, in the Downing Street garden, Keir Starmer delivered a grim, generation-defining warning that “things will get worse” for Britain. On Wednesday, in Berlin, he gave a more upbeat resetting of European relations, with more to come in Paris, describing it as a “once in a generation opportunity”. The abrupt juxtaposition is striking. It embodies why so many still find it so hard to get a convincing handle on the prime minister and to have confidence in what he is really about.
Many responses to Starmer’s speeches often seem predetermined, in some cases lazily so, while others contain a nagging descant of truth. That has happened this week too. Starmer’s Labour critics said he was not bold enough – but then, that’s what they always say. The Conservatives – who spent the past decade raising performative politics into almost an art form – also dismissed the speech as performative. The Daily Mail denounced an attack on middle England, as usual. The Tory right alleged Starmer was undermining Brexit, whatever that now means.
Continue reading...Date: |
-
BBC News - Top stories
Starmer to discuss migrant boat crossings with Meloni in Italy
Meloni has overseen a 64% drop in migrant crossings from north Africa, but not without controversy.2 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
Solheim Cup golf 2024: USA lead Europe 10-6 before final day – as it happened
Europe rallied late but will need a big swing in their favour in Sunday’s singles with USA leading 10-6. The anchor match is out and about. Anna Nordqvist tees off and immediately looks at her ...16 hours ago -
Yahoo Sports - Sports
No. 16 LSU rallies from 17-point deficit for 36-33 win over South Carolina
After falling behind 17-0 to South Carolina, No. 16 LSU came back for a 36-33 win at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.19 hours ago - College Football -
Financial Times - Business
Russian state banks open branches in eastern Ukraine
Sberbank and VTB are building footprints in Ukrainian cities despite western sanctions11 hours ago - Ukraine -
ABC News - Sports
AP Top 25 Takeaways: While trying to escape ACC in court, Florida State falls from top 10 to 0-3
Since suing the Atlantic Coast Conference, and essentially announcing to the world that it is too good to be associated with the likes of Georgia Tech and Boston College, Florida State has not won ...55 minutes ago - Florida -
Yahoo News - World
Former EU chief Juncker criticizes Germany's border controls
10 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
Kyiv’s botanical garden staring at disaster as Russia targets Ukraine’s energy sector
Destruction of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure puts botanical garden’s rare and exotic species in danger. Zhanna Yaroslavska showed off a barrel-shaped stove in the middle of a tropical greenhouse. ...5 hours ago - Ukraine -
CBS News - Top stories
Experts warn against vaccine skepticism
Thanks to vaccinations, measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. But measles cases are now back; one reason is that more families have exempted their children from routine immunizations ...2 hours ago
More from The Guardian
-
The Guardian - World
‘Catastrophe of epic proportions’: six drown in Europe amid heavy floods
Storm Boris has caused rivers to burst banks and trapped people in their homes across Austria, Poland and Slovakia. Six people have drowned in Austria, Poland and Romania and four others are ...2 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
‘Mission complete’: billionaire returns to Earth after spacewalk
Jared Isaacman and crew splash down in SpaceX capsule in the Gulf of Mexico after first ever private spacewalk. The civilian crew on SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission returned to Earth on Sunday after ...3 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
Netanyahu tells Houthis they will pay ‘heavy price’ as missile hits Israel
Rebel group claims what would be first missile to have landed in Israel from Yemen, but no reports of casualties. Middle East crisis: live updates Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed ...2 hours ago - Israel -
The Guardian - World
South Africa school language law stirs Afrikaans learning debate
The DA party argues Afrikaans education will be harmed, while the ANC says law is necessary to redress inequality. A contentious South African education law has drawn furious condemnation from ...3 hours ago -
The Guardian - World
Trump ‘likelier winner’ unless Harris tackles two failings, says ex-ambassador
Kim Darroch says the Democratic nominee must focus on US swing states and avoid repeating Hillary Clinton’s errors. Donald Trump will remain the “likelier winner” of the US presidential election on ...10 hours ago - Donald Trump