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Keir Starmer’s Gloomy Outlook Shakes Labour Optimism

As much of the nation basked in the late August warmth alongside the exciting news of Oasis reuniting, Keir Starmer’s recent address served as a stark counterpoint. Standing in the Downing Street garden, the Prime Minister brought a somber tone, declaring, “I have to be honest with you: things are worse than we ever imagined,” to a carefully selected audience.

In what many perceived as a direct critique of the Conservatives, Starmer pointed to an economic and societal “black hole” left in their wake. He emphasized the need for action, stating, “That is why we have to take action and do things differently.” He cautioned that difficulties may escalate before any improvements are seen, remarking, “Frankly, things will get worse before they get better.”

This pessimistic message, showcased on a podium that bore the slogan “Fixing the foundations,” sparked concern among Labour MPs who had anticipated a more hopeful narrative following their recent electoral victory. “We’ve just won power for the first time in 14 years. Surely that in itself is a reason for optimism?” questioned one MP. Another echoed a sentiment of urgency, asking if it was feasible to implement significant change with their substantial majority of 167.

Several Labour members contrasted Starmer’s tone with the enthusiasm observed at the recent Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where Vice President Kamala Harris received exuberant applause. One minister expressed that the electorate expects tangible results from Labour in the near future, warning that failing to demonstrate improvement could lead to electoral consequences. “We don’t have as long as No. 10 thinks. If people aren’t feeling things are better in the next couple of years, that’s a big problem,” the minister noted.

Concerns were raised that Starmer’s gloomy rhetoric might dampen consumer and business confidence, contradicting his own goal of stimulating economic growth. “The miserablism is completely self-defeating,” remarked another MP, emphasizing the need for a more positive narrative about Britain’s potential. “It feels like we’re doing the opposite.”

However, Downing Street sources dismissed these anxieties, asserting, “They need to get over it. The public is sick of boosterism. Boris Johnson overpromising and underdelivering is a big factor in why people have lost faith in politics.”

Supporters of Starmer defended his approach as a necessary form of honesty. A senior Labour figure commented, “Keir can’t make everything fine just by saying it’s all great. He would rather level with people and explain the trade-offs, not pretend. He’s saying that change is coming, but it’s just going to take time.”

While some in Downing Street acknowledged the need for improved communication about the reality of tough choices, there was an admission that the recent messaging might have leaned too heavily into the negative. Following the government’s recent communications push, some recognized that the chosen spokesperson may not have conveyed the intended optimism.

Starmer’s speech was originally intended to follow a different trajectory, aimed as a response to Rachel Reeves’ earlier address that highlighted the challenges Labour has inherited. As the government prepares for a budget anticipated to include tax hikes and budget reductions, Downing Street is hopeful that the public will be ready for the harsh realities to come. Nevertheless, aides stressed that their messaging was not merely about managing expectations, asserting that “things are going to be really tough.”

Some government departments have already had to defer scheduled announcements into the next fiscal year due to financial constraints. Yet, in a sign of balancing the grim assessment with the need for hope, prominent members of the cabinet have begun to emphasize optimism. Reeves, for instance, delivered an impassioned talk about future economic improvement during a meeting in Scotland, and is poised to elaborate on growth initiatives soon.

“It’s tough, there’s a lot more to do, but we’ll start seeing the hard work paying off,” commented one government insider, emphasizing that not all prospects would remain bleak indefinitely. In a lighter moment, Starmer’s deputy, Angela Rayner, was seen in a celebratory atmosphere in Ibiza, hinting that perhaps a bit of optimism and joy are not completely out of reach.

Source
www.theguardian.com