Keir Starmer's 36-Point Negative Rating Spurs Public Advice from Labour Predecessors

London – Labour leader Keir Starmer is reportedly facing significant political challenges, evidenced by a 36-point negative rating in opinion polls. This period of difficulty has prompted a series of public interventions from his predecessors, including former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, as highlighted by Martin Ivens in a Bloomberg Opinion piece. The phenomenon, described by Ivens as Starmer "hearing voices from political Valhalla," suggests a pattern of "back-seat driving" from Labour's past leaders.

Tony Blair, Labour's most electorally successful leader, has been particularly vocal, offering advice on diverse issues. His counsel has spanned topics ranging from the optimal deployment of artificial intelligence to strategies for combating populism. Blair has also publicly criticized the government's approach to its net-zero climate commitments, advocating for policies he deems more realistic and workable.

Not to be outdone, Gordon Brown, another former Labour Prime Minister, has urged Starmer to consider significant policy shifts. Brown has called for the scrapping of the two-child cap on welfare benefits. Additionally, he has proposed increasing taxes on gambling and banks, suggesting these measures could prevent an "escalator" of poverty. Even Neil Kinnock, a former Labour leader, has weighed in, proposing a new wealth tax to address national financial shortfalls.

According to Martin Ivens, this public outpouring of "candid-friend advice" from former leaders is an "infallible sign of a British prime minister in difficulty." The collective interventions underscore the pressures on Starmer as he navigates the political landscape. The ongoing public commentary from these influential figures adds another layer of complexity to Starmer's leadership as he seeks to solidify his party's position and address current economic and social challenges.