To what extent does Labour sell its soul to unfettered capitalism to rid us of the pestilence that is the present government. Starmer has looked at too many focus groups. Winning at the cost of a philosophy and ideology that is not based on fairness and equality is pointless.
There good arguments for union membership and action as Lynch has stated clearly and coherently. A commitment to nationalisation would be foolish in the present world situation, but rejecting it is also foolish. As J.O’B stated today, all politicians and commentators – with few exceptions (and he is not one) have privileged backgrounds. Angela Rayner will understand what it is like to have no financial or social guarantees. People using food banks have no security. Poverty in the UK has gone beyond being poor and not affording holidays and proper meals, to not having a fall back when the cooker or fridge packs up, when illness puts them on sick pay and they cannot meet their rent. I have never been in their situation. Truss and Sunak, Johnson and Sleaze-Dogg, etc. make no effort to understand.
So Starmer – stand by the strikers and make the case for their action loudly and clearly like Mike Lynch. Emphasise that NHS privatisations will be taken back under the NHS with little compensation. State that the NHS will be rationalised to create greater efficiency (most people have a gripe about something). Create a Committee for Standards in Parliament to ban lying. Reform the HoL getting rid of all titles. Proportional Representation is desperately needed but will need a hung Parliament as die hards on left and right (and therefore the trash press) will scream and holler. Climate change will need strong arguments but should not be dodged.
Why has Starmer rejected all things EU? – bloody focus groups. I want him state policies, not just reject them.
The argument that there are hard core voters seems to be turning. 25% Tory; 20% Labour; 10% Lib.Dem/Green? basically 45% are potentially swing voters. Corbyn won the minds of many of these, but was undone by his own party, the press and some blunders (which for a leader on the left are fatal – merely an inconvenience on the right). Starmer is going for the 45% and hoping enough Labour Party members will support him.
The Party Manifesto will be interesting when it comes – it should be forming now to ensure message gets across.