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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Comment
Nesrine Malik

Many said the Starmer era would be just Tory-lite – now it’s worse than that. Time to stop the pretence

Keir Starmer delivers a speech announcing that NHS England would be abolished to ‘cut bureaucracy’, Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire, 13 March 2025.
Keir Starmer delivers a speech announcing that NHS England would be abolished to ‘cut bureaucracy’, Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire, 13 March 2025. Photograph: Oli Scarff/PA

I reckon it’s time to call it. The threat to freeze personal independence payment (Pip) disability benefits shows that the fears voiced in the run-up to the general election were well founded. Keir Starmer’s government, cratering in the polls, with Reform snapping at its heels, is in serious trouble. Weekend reports suggested the latest cuts are being reconsidered after a backlash from Labour’s own MPs, charities and campaigners. It’s all vintage Labour, swinging between collected callousness and then flustered chaos.

Prior to the election, sceptics were told to keep the faith. Focus on the prize of getting the Tories out. It’s all three-dimensional chess, to whisper to rightwing voters. Starmer’s caution and inconsistency is only pragmatism, which could turn to radicalism in office.

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