As Keir Starme grinds through his temporary stint of pretending to be UK Prime Minister, it must seem to him as if he is involved in the operations of Something Globally Important, even though he isn’t important enough for that - it operates him.
The satisfaction of being Prime Minister today cannot reach the same level of satisfaction of a Gladstone or a Disraeli as they played the Great Game.
Today, Keir Starmer’s role is more akin to a senior servant’s position over a century ago, such as head steward managing the estate of a Great House towards the end of the nineteenth century.
Today, Keir Starmer’s role is more akin to a senior servant’s position over a century ago, such as head steward managing the estate of a Great House towards the end of the nineteenth century.
He has his own desk by the fireplace in the steward's office, a good quality coat passed on to him by the previous lord of the manor and the use of a horse from the stables.
Mr Starmer the Steward is his position. He rides around the estate on his horse, tells peasants why their rents have gone up, why their fences can’t be mended this year and why they can’t collect any more wood from the estate because the trees are to be felled. Times are hard for the Great House.
What the head steward doesn’t tell the peasants is that the best days of the Great House ended years ago and the place is to be sold and turned into an international hotel and leisure facility.
Mr Starmer the Steward is his position. He rides around the estate on his horse, tells peasants why their rents have gone up, why their fences can’t be mended this year and why they can’t collect any more wood from the estate because the trees are to be felled. Times are hard for the Great House.
What the head steward doesn’t tell the peasants is that the best days of the Great House ended years ago and the place is to be sold and turned into an international hotel and leisure facility.
But the peasants have suspected this for a long time.
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