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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
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Simon Jenkins

Keir Starmer is having his chainsaw moment – but all he will slash is democracy

Keir Starmer in Hull after announcing cuts to NHS England.
Keir Starmer in Hull after announcing cuts to NHS England. Photograph: Oli Scarff/PA

Every new prime minister has an Elon Musk moment. A sudden attack of frustration leads to a burst of machismo, a chainsaw response. The system stinks. Slash the bureaucrats. Smash the machine.

Thatcher had her “subversives”, Tony Blair his “scars on my back”, David Cameron his “enemies of enterprise”. Now Sir Keir Starmer claims to be haunted by the blockers, checkers, regulators, bloaters. All are ganging up against the cry of his new friend, Donald Trump, to grow, baby, grow. So get going, chainsaw, do your job.

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