Keir Starmer steps down as Prime Minister at the point of time marking the 10th anniversary of Brexit referendum. Ironically it has pledged stability for Britain.
Britain is now going to have its seventh prime minister in a decade. Meanwhile, Starmer’s supporters have to acknowledge the fact he had lost direction.
It is a pity that it is after two years of his triumphant parliamentary victory in which Labour Party secured 411 seats out of 650 in the House of Commons. It needs to be mentioned that
Labour Party had succumbed to its worst defeat in hundred years in 2019.
Blots mark his period in office marring his copybook. . It started with scrapping the winter fuel allowance for the elderly.
Starmer appointed Peter Mandelson as ambassador to US. But he refused to remove him even after charges of misconduct while in public office surfaced; . Mandelson was later arrested by UK police.
Starmer was compromised for his inability to communicate a clear road map. Matters were made worse for his failure to improve even the image of a stunted military.
He took several policy U-turns. Some of them allegedly in the direction of the Right which disenchanted Labour Party’s core supporters.
Britons were further alienated by a spluttering economy. The energy crisis festered.
His government could do little to rein in global conflicts. The energy crisis together with inflation punctured his hope to stay on as a full time prime minister.
But in all fairness, Starmer’s troubles and those of his country are not necessarily their own. Britain is afflicted by a structural faultline which is common other western countries.
United States of America, France and Germany appear to affected by a commonality. Leaders come to power with a promise of change but fail to bring in adequate reforms.
It deepens cynicism about democracy. It is a storm signal that needs not only watchful eyes but taking appropriate steps to renew faith in the democratic system.
Emanuel Macron is about to demit office without his vision being realised in France. After having trying to ignite Germany growth engine, Chancellor
Friedrich Merz is struggling with falling ratings.
US economy is robust. But Donald Trump have not resolved the dilemma of his countrymen having to pay higher costs.
Together with Starmer, these leaders face challenges peculiar to their times. Their records till date put their competency to question.
The situation paves the way for the rise in forces on the Right and the Left. Starmer is being replaced by Andy Burnham.
He was not even a MP. But he needed to win a by-poll to attain eligibility.
There was none among the MPs who could step in Starmer’s shoes. There was no hesitation in reaching out beyond their confines to find a successor for Starmer.
One may ask whether Burnham will serve out the remaining three years of Labour’s five year term. This question is likely to remain unanswered now.
Burnham who will take office between mid-July a d September won the Makerfield by-election. He is from Lancashire where his constituency is located but this advantage will be missing in 2029 when he campaigns as a Prime Minister.
Right now Burnham has to douse domestic fires. It is for him and the Labour Party to consolidate their positions.
