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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Comment
Frances Ryan

Starmer’s on the brink and who knows what will happen next: hope for the best, Britain, and prep for the worst

Keir Starmer, former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham meet pupils at Holy Trinity primary school in Ashton, Greater Manchester, 13 April 2026.
Keir Starmer, former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham meet pupils at Holy Trinity primary school in Ashton, Greater Manchester, 13 April 2026. Photograph: Paul Ellis/PA

A news report last week described how growing instability means millions of Britons are building up a stash of cash, tinned food and torches at home. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always thought there is no better litmus test of how things are going for a country than whether the populace is stockpiling emergency rations.

Watching Keir Starmer stubbornly cling on to his leadership as members of his cabinet and MPs move against him, it seems only a matter of time before the PM himself is prepping. With the end moving closer, you half expect Starmer to barricade himself in Downing Street with a jumbo pack of baked beans and a carton of cigarettes.

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