Sir Keir’s path of reluctant support of Jeremy Corbyn, to be ditched once in power, was an option open to all Labour’s pretenders from the right. But others did not have the nous to seize it
Save time by listening to our audio articles as you multitaskIn “The Starmer Project”, the political naïf turns into a bequiffed Machiavelli. On this telling, Sir Keir undermined Jeremy Corbyn, his hard-left predecessor, as part of a long-term plan to install himself as Labour leader. He campaigned for that job on a platform of carrying on with Mr Corbyn’s policies. Then, once in power, Sir Keir organised a ruthless purge of the left-wingers who had taken control of the party machinery.
Convenience rather than conviction is the better explanation, and the better alibi, for Sir Keir’s stint under Mr Corbyn. The next leader of Labour was always likely to be someone who had ostensibly been loyal to the leftie leader. Although a tranche of Labour members were hard-core believers, the bulk were moderate social democrats who liked Mr Corbyn’s proposals of higher public spending and more public ownership.
Cynicism is not the only possible explanation for Sir Keir’s political volte-face. One unflattering theory for his flexible political positions is that he has been “cuckooed”. Cuckooing happens when wrong ’uns take over the flat of a vulnerable person, turning it into a drug den or a brothel. In this telling, something similar has happened to Sir Keir, whose shadow cabinet and advisers are now drawn from the right of the party.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sir Keir Starmer's lockdown beer 'meeting' to be reviewed by policeA Tory MP is asking Durham Constabulary to re-open an investigation into whether Sir Keir Starmer broke lockdown rules after they previously cleared the Labour leader of any wrongdoing.
Read more »
Rayner was with Starmer during lockdown beers, Labour admitsThe party said its previous claims that the deputy leader was not present were a ‘genuine mistake’, and it insisted no Covid rules were broken.
Read more »
Sir David Amess murder: MPs to get tailored security advice after killing of MP Southend constituencyAs a result of a review carried out in the wake of the 69-year-old's fatal stabbing, safety guidance issued to politicians at Westminster will be more bespoke, based on individual circumstances, rather than a standardised set of measures.
Read more »
Welsh female MP accuses Labour frontbencher of sexist remarkMember of shadow cabinet allegedly told MP she was successful because men wanted to sleep with her
Read more »
Labour MP Liam Byrne to be suspended from Commons for bullying aideIndependent expert panel has recommended Byrne be suspended from chamber for two days
Read more »
Women in politics: Labour figure's lewd comments to MP - claimA Welsh MP alleges a shadow cabinet member made lewd and sexist comments about her.
Read more »