Starmer and his new cabinet. Is Labour finally back on track? – Liberal article

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Max Anderson, Joshua Tyrrell and Daniel Orchard
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Starmer and his new cabinet. Is Labour finally back on track? – Liberal Article

On Saturday, Sir Keir Starmer was, as expected, announced as the new leader of the Labour party. Many took the time to praise old leader Jeremy Corbyn, including a very sincere farewell from Jacob Rees-Mogg. Starmer having just announced his new shadow cabinet is now getting to work in one of the most challenging times for Britain.

Personally, I am extremely happy about Starmer winning. He is close enough to the Blairism style politics I praise but also adds a new flavour of Corbynism which could unite the party as well. I knew Starmer would offer something different when he challenged the countries status quo saying that ‘we have to rebuild an economic model that reduces inequality and protects working people.’ 

I wouldn’t have gone as far to say that Keir has ‘slammed the free-market’ like the Guardian makes out. However, he has certainly offered something different.

Although the economy is extremely important, two things have been missed from the waves of previous PM’s. Free-market, although the strongest, is not the be-all and end-all,  the UK government needs to, more than ever, try and help those who have suffered from the acts of 12 years of austerity. Yes, austerity was started by the Labour party, but it has certainly gone on too long.

The fact that Starmer also has accepted the referendum result I think gives Labour a fighting chance. Whatever you say, Brexit did, no matter how small, play a part on the election. Unfortunately, I think it is time for us remainers to fight for a ‘close economic relationship with the EU’ which Keir himself has expressed.

Again, Starmer’s shadow cabinet looks strong. Lisa Nandy commands a strong presence in the cabinet being appointed as shadow Foreign secretary. Corbyn’s left has been given a nod with Angela Rayner being appointed deputy of the party.

Apart from Jon Ashworth currently holding the same position, the rest of the cabinet is rather fresh-faced. Rightly, Ed Milliband has been invited back to the frontbenches as Shadow Business, Energy and Industrial Secretary. David Lammy is finally recognised as a frontbencher in his undertaking of the role Shadow Justice secretary.

For me, Starmer has done two things well. Firstly, he has removed a lot of the old blood from the party that was weighing down. Corbyn, as loved as he was by the younger audience, has too much baggage to ever make a positive impression on most of Britain. Most will be happy to finally see Diane Abbott leave along with John McDonnell.

The most important and interesting position was going to be shadow Chancellor. At this time where a recession will most certainly come, the government plunges into more debt. It will be a hard job for the shadow chancellor with a need to end austerity soon.

Anneliese Dodds is a fantastic pick. Although she comes from obscurity, she proves that fine-tuned balance that Starmer needs. An Ex-MEP, I think she is certainly ready for the challenge.

Overall, the first few days of the Starmer reign have impressed me. Great cabinet and a much needed strong backing for the current government in this trying time. 2025 can’t come soon enough!

Written by Liberal Writer, Max Anderson

Point of Information

Ticking all the right boxes going forwards – a Conservative response

Balanced and well informed. Mr Anderson makes some good points both about the freshness that Starmer brings to the Labour Party as the leader, as well as his political tact.

With many leadership qualities and promising policies, he will no doubt lead a strong opposition in the coming months. But, I don’t necessarily expect us to see too much of this until the coronavirus crisis has been resolved.

Similar to when he was mounting his leadership campaign, he was careful not to overtly criticise Jeremy Corbyn’s manifesto and the party’s direction. At present too, he will be sure to focus on his policies and party. Rather than criticising, rightly or wrongly, he will most likely support the Government’s handling of the crisis we currently face.

I don’t necessarily enjoy saying that Labour may have a promising future, as highlighted by Mr Anderson’s remarks. However, I think back on track is certainly applicable in this situation.

Written by Conservative Writer, Joshua Tyrell

Off-track? – a Labour response

Whilst I can’t claim to be happy to see Jezza go, I accept it was his time. After two electoral defeats, he was no longer a viable leader.

Of the selection of new possible leaders, Keir, who claims to be a socialist, definitely was not the worst. It is a shame we will never be able to see what those re-education camps on the Isle of Man would have looked like. I believe they would have been quite scenic.

Looking over his new cabinet picks there were a few surprises, such as seeing Ed Miliband’s name for the first time in years. Maybe we will be able to lure David Miliband back across the channel and get the old ‘new Labour’ back together. Of the rest of the picks, I am happy to see Rebecca Long-Bailey remain on the frontbench and David Lammy ascends to join her. I am sure Lammy’s twitter will get far more interesting now he has some power.

As usual, I object to Mr Anderson implying that a Labour party not pursuing a soulless neoliberal strategy, with no respect for its core base or history, is somehow off track. But no surprises there. Can’t expect more from a liberal.

I look forward to seeing what Keir is going to do with the party. I hope this is a good restart to Jeremy’s long distinguished career of holding the government, and opposition, to account.

Written by Labour Writer, Daniel Orchard

Max Anderson
Publisher/Founder at Point Of Information | Website

I am currently in my second year of reading Politics at the University of Exeter. My first interaction with politics was at the tender age of four years old.

Joshua Tyrrell
Co-head social media marketing at Point Of Information | Website

‘Hold a flexible mindset’ was a piece of advice I once heard and I find it appropriate to mention when introduction myself as a member of the POI team.

Daniel Orchard
Labour political writer at Point Of Information | Website

My journey into politics is pretty different to what most people have. I can’t claim to have watched PMQ’s obsessively since a young age nor did I pour over the broadsheets for every political factoid I could muster.

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