The New Statesman | UK politics and culture

Labour’s swamp: Keir Starmer resets

Dec 5, 2024

Peter Hyman, a former Labour strategist and advisor to Keir Starmer, joins Rachel Cunliffe, Associate Political Editor for the New Statesman. They dive into the challenges facing Labour as Starmer unveils his ambitious 'plan for change.' Hyman critiques Whitehall's resistance to innovation, emphasizing a culture of risk aversion among civil servants. The duo discusses the balancing act between NHS targets and broader healthcare needs, while highlighting the importance of accountability amid rising populism. It's a candid look at Labour's path forward.

30:01

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Episode guests

Rachel Cunliffe

Peter Hyman

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Keir Starmer's strategy focuses on breaking down long-term missions into actionable milestones to better connect with public concerns.

The podcast emphasizes the need for civil service reform to foster innovation and effectively implement ambitious governmental initiatives.

Deep dives

Keir Starmer's Plan for Change

Keir Starmer recently articulated a comprehensive strategy aimed at revitalizing the government's agenda after a period of public dissatisfaction. The approach includes breaking down ten-year national missions into more manageable milestones that resonate with the public's immediate concerns. This restructuring is intended to demonstrate responsiveness to voter priorities, especially given previous criticisms of the government's visibility and efficacy. The emphasis on 'mission critical' areas underscores a commitment to fulfilling electoral promises and re-establishing trust with the public.

Intro

3min

Government Priorities: A Strategic Reset

13min

Assessing Risks in Labour's Reset Strategy

4min

Reforming Accountability in Politics

11min

Reflections on Political Choices and Current Affairs

2min

Former Labour strategist and architect of the Labour missions, Peter Hyman, joins the New Statesman podcast to discuss Keir Starmer’s “plan for change” speech on Thursday.

Hyman discusses the difficulties Labour will face in implementing their missions and is scathing about Whitehall, saying resistance from staffers is stifling innovation:

“Three permanent secretaries I've heard in the last month have been resisting having outsiders come in to help,” he says.

“I don't blame civil servants, particularly individual civil servants… What I do blame is the system. At the moment, there is a culture that is not geared towards innovation. It is geared to business as usual… a lot of civil servants are incredibly paranoid about taking any risks because they fear they'll be called in front of a select committee.”

Read: Starmer’s pledges leave his government exposed, by Rachel Cunliffe; Keir Starmer must remember his mission, by Peter Hyman

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