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Wednesday, 11 October 2023

Make no mistake



Emma Burnell has an interesting CAPX piece on Keir Starmer and the Labour party. Interesting as it is a Labour supporting journalist's perspective on Starmer's grip on the party, yet it comes across as the progress of a competitive game with no reference to anything beyond the game.


Make no mistake – Labour is Keir Starmer’s party now

The first standing ovation for Starmer’s speech was about Labour being a changed party. The second was for his making it very clear that Labour stands firmly behind Israel.

Make no mistake: This is Starmer’s party now.

He couldn’t have scripted the protest moment better. A wally with glitter and no message gave Starmer the opportunity to show his ‘no drama Starmer’ persona in full. Casually removing his jacket and rolling up his shirt sleeves made him look like a man ready for business.



This is the interesting aspect - Disraeli's Great Game portrayed as a game and nothing else. "He couldn’t have scripted the protest moment better" - or a tactical move fell into his lap.

"Casually removing his jacket and rolling up his shirt sleeves" was a move in the game. Starmer made use of a fortunate opportunity to profit from lax security and an individual's foolishness. There was nothing else in it. It did not represent "a man ready for business", it represented a player's move in the Great Game.


There were several standout stars of this conference. As I said at the top, this is Starmer’s party now. But his confidence in that is demonstrated when he allows others to shine. The response to Rachel Reeves’ speech was almost as ecstatic as it was to Starmer’s. There were seven standing ovations (Keir had 13) and both were standing room only.


Comparison with a football match is difficult to resist, especially the description of loyal supporters sensing that their fortunes have turned after years trying to avoid relegation. They might even score a goal, but unfortunately they aren't playing for our side. 

7 comments:

Sam Vega said...

It would have been far better if he had casually removed his sleeves and rolled up his jacket. That would have made him more interesting.

Scrobs. said...

Nop, it's still the party of Blair, Brown and a few other sundry nutters, all gurning into the photshot!

James Higham said...

They're a real worry, Labour, lowest branch of the Uniparty.

DiscoveredJoys said...

There are many ways (and jokes about) dividing the world into two types of people. In this case we see the two types as those who inhabit 'the Political World' and those who inhabit 'the Ordinary World'.

Sadly most of those who inhabit the Political World are disinterested in the Ordinary World - which is a shame as they are meant (in the UK) to be our representatives. It is noteworthy that of the few 'independents' that manage to get elected they are either sucked into party politics as usual or choose not to stand again.

We deserve better, but I cannot see a way forward. Although an increasing number of people are disinterested in the Political World, so perhaps pragmatic contempt may work over time?

A K Haart said...

Sam - or if he'd challenged the guy to a duel in the car park.

Scrobs - that's it, still the party of Blair, Brown and sundry nutters.

James - they are a worry, but I can't vote for more of the same.

DJ - I see no way forward either, unless it dawns on enough people that things are too dire to continue. Net Zero may have the potential to do that, but Political World may be sharp enough to kick that can down the road too.

wiggiatlarge said...

'Casually removing his jacket and rolling up his shirt sleeves made him look like a man ready for business.'
It's the new working mans friend look, late to the game is Starmer, Rishi does it all the time following on from the other version of version of a fake politician with intent, Boris, Boris of course initiated the tie in shirt while in hospitals look, it's all so tiresome..................

A K Haart said...

Wiggia - yes it is tiresome. So transparently done for effect that it can't work. Even that they don't do well.