The real reason Brits want Keir Starmer to resign | Politics | News
Sir Keir Starmer wouldn’t be fighting for his political life if millions of Britons weren’t worried about the cost of living, threats to their jobs and the possibility of new Rachel Reeves tax raids. Reports of infighting at the heart of the government are not the reason why at least half the country thinks the Prime Minister should resign. Voters would shrug their shoulders at tales of giant egos colliding in Whitehall if this did not fuel fears that ministers are becoming distracted and out of their depth as unemployment soars and growth weakens.
The UK economy grew by a miserable 0.1% in the three months to September. Workers across Britain are aware of the dangers of a long-term recession.
Even if an economy avoids a direct recession, if a country fails to grow, jobs will go away because businesses will gain efficiencies and technology will allow companies to get by with fewer staff.
The first duty of a Government is not to make things worse. But if Sir Keir’s Government imposes more costs on employers through higher taxes and the strengthening of union rights pioneered by Angela Rayner, then it will become even harder for people to find work when they need it.
Voters are quickly concluding that a government that makes growth a top priority has failed. This week YouGov revealed that 51% of people think Sir Keir should stand down, while just 46% of those who voted Labor said he should remain as leader.
Ms Reeves, who devastated businesses with a shock increase in National Insurance contributions last year, told MPs the Government “will never need to do a budget like this again” and “we won’t be coming back with more tax rises”.
If the Chancellor breaks his strict manifesto promise not to raise income tax this month, voters will conclude the Treasury doesn’t know what it’s doing and Britons will be worse off for years to come.
This is a terrible time for a Government to be dragged into gang war.
Alastair Campbell, Sir Tony Blair’s Downing Street wingman, spoke for many Labor sympathizers when blasting today’s politicians on air, saying “somebody made the strategic decision, ‘Let’s try to blast Wes Streeting’.”
Citizens are not shocked by stories of tensions at the heart of Government. The turf wars of the Blair-Brown era were a national soap opera, and ministerial turmoil inspired entertainment ranging from Yes, Minister and House of Cards to The Thick of It.
The country continued to vote for Sir Tony’s New Labor team to return to office as long as the economy remained in poor health. But voters will be angry if senior politicians “hit” each other while public services are in chaos and the Treasury is withdrawing cash from households and businesses.
If Sir Keir wants to keep his job, he must show the Brits that he is fighting to keep them in their jobs.
