The New Statesman | UK politics and culture

The return of the Blairites

Nov 14, 2024

Keir Starmer's shift towards Blair-era figures sparks debate about the current Labour Party factions. The COP29 climate conference sees ambitious UK emission reduction targets announced, raising questions on real-life implementation. Discussions on NHS reforms highlight the struggle between historic leadership styles and contemporary challenges, as well as the need for innovation. Political dynamics are further complicated by the potential return of Donald Trump and tensions between Labour and the Green Party on fossil fuel policies.

24:16

Creator website

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The Labour Party's return to Blairite figures aims to enhance NHS management while addressing concerns over hospital performance ratings and patient care quality.

Keir Starmer's commitment to ambitious green policies faces challenges in balancing environmental goals with economic implications, particularly regarding oil and gas industries.

Deep dives

NHS Reform and Political Dynamics

The recent announcement regarding the performance ratings of hospitals in England reflects a recurring theme in NHS reform, reminiscent of policies from the early 2000s. The government recognizes the need for experienced personnel in key positions and has welcomed back figures from previous administrations, such as Jonathan Powell and Alan Milburn. This urgent staffing strategy aims not only to enhance management in hospitals but also to ensure that increased funding for the NHS translates into tangible improvements for public services. Concerns arise, however, regarding the potential pitfalls of hospital league tables, which may emphasize measurable performance at the risk of overlooking broader patient care quality.

Intro

2min

NHS Reform: Echoes of the Past

10min

Reviving Experience: The Return of Blairite Leadership in Labour

2min

Navigating Climate Commitment and Public Impact

4min

Political Leadership and Climate Policy

9min

As Starmer contends with a fraught political landscape, he has increasingly turned to figures from the Blair administration: Jonathan Powell, Liz Lloyd, Peter Mandelson, Alan Milburn. What will this means for the factions within the current Labour government?

We are also midway through COP29 which is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan. Keir Starmer was only one of two G7 leaders to appear at the conference (where he announced new plans for the UK to cut its emissions by 81% compared to 1990 levels by 2035. How are Labour going to stick to their pledge of going green?

Read: The return of the Blairites

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export