Many great prime ministers overcome a shaky start – but Keir Starmer’s window is closing fast | Anthony Seldon
Successful PMs learn on the job, and Labour’s leader needs to start 2025 by showing his party and the country he has done so
The dismissive verdicts and dire polls after Keir Starmer’s first few months in power should not unduly perturb him. Britain’s best prime ministers all faced considerable challenges, especially early on. Clement Attlee may rank as Labour’s most outstanding leader, but his position was far from secure at the time and he would have been ousted early but for the loyal support of the foreign secretary, Ernest Bevin. Margaret Thatcher endured many dark weeks and months, only feeling confident of her position after victory in the Falklands war, three years into her premiership. The end of year verdicts on Starmer’s premiership have highlighted his errors and the bad economic news, but they have precious little positive to offer beyond “he must find a narrative”.
Steady on, though. Starmer believes he has a narrative, a very clear one that he has internalised in his head – which is that as Labour leader from 2020, he took a series of unpopular decisions and faced endless criticism, but he prevailed and won one of the biggest majorities in history. On the same basis, he thinks that tough medicine from him now will see the party rewarded with another handsome majority in 2028 or 2029. It’s neat. It’s compelling. But it’s a fantasy – and a dangerous misunderstanding of the kind of narrative a PM needs. If Starmer continues to hold to it he will fall, and Britain will notch up another failed premiership when what it needs most is competent government.
Anthony Seldon’s Starmer at 10 will be published after he leaves No 10; he is the author of The Impossible Office? The History of the British Prime Minister
Continue reading...-
Far-right Italian PM says she is ‘in tune on many issues’ with Keir Starmer
Giorgia Meloni says she and Starmer agree on need to explore ‘innovative solutions’ for processing asylum claims. Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has said she is “in tune on many issues” ...The Guardian - 15h -
Thai prime minister declares £324m in assets including 217 designer handbags
Paetongtarn Shinawatra made required wealth declaration to national anti-corruption commission. Thailand’s prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has declared £324m in assets including a ...The Guardian - 15h -
Optimus Prime Brokerage
Information is power, and moneyFinancial Times - 17h -
The Cumulus Machine Review: Fast and Frothy Cold Brew
An innovative new coldbrew machine makes for wonderfully frothy nitro and espresso martinis. But is the flavor fully cooked?Wired - 2d -
Chiefs open practice window for starting cornerback Jaylen Watson, per report
Watson was placed on injured reserve after an injury in Week 7CBS Sports - 9h -
Joe Flacco to start Colts regular season finale vs. Jaguars as Anthony Richardson deals with back injury
This will be Flacco's sixth start for Indy this seasonCBS Sports - 9h -
Nick Clegg, former UK deputy prime minister, leaves Meta
Clegg was the tech giant’s chief public policy architect when it was facing scrutiny over Cambridge Analytica scandal. Nick Clegg, Britain’s former deputy prime minister and Meta ’s current ...The Guardian - 1d -
Fantasy Football Playoffs Week 18 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em Wide Receivers: Addison primed to dominate the slate
Wide receivers you want in your Week 18 games, and those you should avoidCBS Sports - 2d -
Fantasy Football Playoffs Week 18 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em Quarterbacks: Bo Nix, Jared Goff close out strong
Quarterbacks you want in Week 18 lineups, and those you should avoidCBS Sports - 2d
More from The Guardian
-
Judge sets date for Trump hush-money sentencing but rules out prison term
President-elect will be sentenced for his 34 felony convictions on 10 January, Judge Juan Merchan rules. A judge on Friday set Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush-money case for 10 January – ...The Guardian - 5h -
Austrian liberal party quits coalition talks leaving negotiations in disarray
Surprise move by Neos raises doubts about viability of forming centrist government excluding far right. The smallest of three parties in talks to form Austria’s next government has unexpectedly ...The Guardian - 7h -
Chilean president makes historic trip to south pole amid Antarctica sovereignty claim
Gabriel Boric is first Latin American leader to reach planet’s southernmost point, according to his office . Chile’s president Gabriel Boric has made a historic trip to the south pole to reaffirm ...The Guardian - 5h -
Meta is killing off its own AI-powered Instagram and Facebook profiles
Instagram profile of ‘proud Black queer momma’, created by Meta, said her development team included no Black people. Meta is deleting Facebook and Instagram profiles of AI characters the company ...The Guardian - 5h -
About 30 killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza as truce talks set to resume
‘Harsh day’ of bombardments with several children among dead, says Gaza’s civil defence agency . Gaza’s civil defence agency said about 30 people were killed in Israeli bombardments on Friday, as ...The Guardian - 6h
More in World
-
Australia v India: fifth men’s cricket Test, day two – live
Updates from the New Year’s Test at the SCG Steve Smith falls five short of 10,000 Test runs milestone Any thoughts? Email Tanya 6th over: Australia 15-1 (Konstas 11, Labuschagne 2) Konstas ...The Guardian - 27m -
Syria's New Islamic Government Creates Controversy With Education Overhaul
Documents released this week by the new government in Syria spur concerns about whether it will seek to impose a conservative Islamic worldview.The Wall Street Journal - 30m -
Hubert Hurkacz gives Poland early edge over Kazakhstan in United Cup semi-final
World No 16 beats Alexander Shevchenko 6-3 6-2 in 57 minutes Iga Swiatek faces Elena Rybakina in women’s singles Poland have taken a 1-0 lead in their United Cup semi-final against Kazakhstan ...The Guardian - 1h -
Ukraine war briefing: Five killed and homes damaged in series of Russian and Ukrainian attacks
Residential area in Chernigiv, north of Kyiv, among those hit as Zelenskyy says Russia launched 300 attack drones and nearly 20 missiles in first three days of 2025. What we know on day 1,045. ...The Guardian - 2h -
Soul singer Brenton Wood, behind the 1967 hit Oogum Boogum Song, dies aged 83
Born Alfred Jesse Smith, his smash title has repeatedly been used in film and television shows. The soul singer Brenton Wood has died at the age of 83, TMZ and Variety reported. Wood’s manager, ...The Guardian - 2h