Changing horses, again

I have so far avoided saying much about the prospects of Sir Kier Starmer. He started badly because Labour were so scared of losing the election that they had neither a plan nor a believable series of polices.

It was obvious government in the UK was imploding under waves of successful crises and the constant attempt to cut the size of the state and that meant an honest debate with a very cynical and tired electorate about the hard choices ahead.

We have never had that conversation not least because the right and its media supporters are constantly claiming that there is no crisis that they cannot solve by more of the same. An outright lie that makes any sensible political discourse or compromise impossible. But one that wins support because it persuades voters that there is a common enemy, immigration or the EU, and that there are simple solutions as a result.

But in the end what seems to have done for SKS is Mandelson, who has a lot to answer for and the fact that even with a huge majority Labour is incapable of seeing that it has nothing to fear from the opposition. The corbynistas have been waiting for their chance and now there are enough other MPs who fear for their seats in 3 years time to act.

But what are they going to replace Starmer with? The next leader will just be another target for the media and the attacks will start long before they are elected. You can forget another general election, the Tories got rid of 4 PMs without one, but what are the new policies? Where is the money, the growth, how can a new PM deal with Trump and the EU and Ukraine better than Starmer? Already the markets are worried about new borrowing, a key sign of the restraints that have hampered this government.

I am not a big fan of John Major, nearly all the country’s problems would have been solved if he had thrown the “swivel eyed loons” out of the tent. He put party first, the consequences have been a national disaster.

But Sir John is right when he says we cannot afford to keep changing PMs like this.

Cameron walked off humming after stupidly thinking his mates wouldn’t win the unnecessary Brexit referendum, they played dirty and he played along; again putting party first.

May’s red lines were and are a disaster.

Johnson was a fraud and killed thousands with his incompetence and laziness.

Truss was a loon, who actually believed the lies about trickle down economics and is now a joke.

Sunak was barely adequate.

This is therefore not just a crisis for Labour but for the country.

The quality of people reaching the top is obviously low, although SKS was well above average. But the real problem is that the country is looking increasingly difficult to run, the external blows are constant, expensive and destabilising, the institutions obviously not fit for purpose, the media appalling biased and right wing, the economic assumptions and polices are plain wrong, and do immense harm especially as no one dare challenge them.

Many public services and utilities are failing, the opportunities for citizens are rigged, and the debate on immigration poisonous beyond belief. Our defence is inadequate, Brexit has screwed the economy, our foreign influence is waning, our alliances are fraying beyond repair and voters are looking for ever more radical “answers” to their frustration.

Changing horses midstream, will solve none of this, the new PM will face the same intractable problems, so would any new government and they are both incapable of dealing with them.

Because they cannot be addressed if they are not recognised, honestly presented, assessed and cured. Who will do that, Badenoch, Farage, Jenrick, the press, the next Labour leader?

No, me neither.

Jonty’s Jotting

From Jonty Bloom Media Ltd

Economics, trade and Brexit, not necessarily in that order but the dog always comes first.