Former chief of staff to Keir Starmer, Sam White, and The Guardian's Political Editor, Pippa Crerar, discuss Labour's strategy and the Tory Partygate scandal. They explore Labour's transformation to becoming a credible alternative government, evidence-based decision-making, and the centralising tendency in politics.
Labour's turnaround in the polls can be attributed to factors such as strategic reshuffling of the party's team and the party gate scandal that tarnished the Tories' reputation.
If Labour wins the upcoming election, Keir Starmer is expected to prioritize evidence-based policy-making and responsible governance while avoiding complacency and attacks on issues like immigration and culture wars.
Labour needs to prioritize talks with the civil service and ensure a smooth transition to governance by refining policies, maintaining clarity in messaging, and addressing concerns such as immigration and culture wars.
Deep dives
Labour's change in fortunes: From behind to frontrunner
Labour's recent surge in the polls suggests they are in a strong position to win a general election. The party's turnaround can be attributed to a combination of factors, including Sam White's tenure as Keir Starmer's chief of staff and the party gate scandal that engulfed the Tories. White's strategic reshuffle of Labour's team and the appointment of experienced individuals helped rebuild the party's credibility. Additionally, Pippa Kreia's breaking of the party gate story shed light on the unethical behavior of the Conservative government, tarnishing their reputation. Looking ahead to 2024, the biggest risk for Labour is if the Tories manage to improve their image and portray themselves as a more competent and reliable governing party. However, as long as Labour continues their disciplined messaging and reinforces their credibility, they have a good chance of maintaining their lead.
Kia Starmer's potential as Prime Minister
If Labour secures a win in the upcoming election, Kia Starmer is expected to be more comfortable as Prime Minister than as the Leader of the Opposition. Starmer's temperament aligns with thoughtful and evidence-based decision-making, which will likely lead to a shift towards more pragmatic and less ideological governance. He is likely to emphasize evidence-based policy-making and rely on a strong central government to ensure effective and accountable execution of policies. Starmer's focus on delivering real reforms instead of just spending money could address public concerns and demonstrate a commitment to responsible governance. However, complacency and overconfidence, as well as potential attacks from opponents on issues like immigration and culture wars, should be avoided.
Preparing for Government: Challenges and Opportunities
As Labour positions itself for a potential win, there are challenges to address in terms of preparation. Talks between the party and the civil service, which will aid in the transition to government, have not yet begun. Labour's focus on developing and refining policies and priorities within each policy area has delayed these important discussions. To hit the ground running, Labour needs to prioritize these talks and work closely with the civil service to ensure a smooth transition to governance. The pace of Labour's transformation and the need for quick decision-making will be a defining characteristic of Starmer's potential premiership. Meanwhile, maintaining clarity and credibility in messaging, avoiding complacency, and addressing issues such as immigration and the culture wars will be crucial for a successful election outcome and subsequent governance.
Shoring up credibility and control
The podcast episode emphasizes the strategic approach taken by the Labour Party to project credibility and control, especially during key events like conferences and mini budgets. By focusing on presenting themselves as a credible alternative government and addressing public concerns about voting Labour, the party aimed to build trust and remove any obstacles that could deter voters from supporting them. This involved initiatives such as internal rule changes, showcasing expertise, and hiring experienced individuals like Sue Greer. The podcast suggests that these efforts paid off, as the Labour Party was able to control the narrative at conferences, impress business representatives, and gain a positive image as a well-organized and professional operation.
Balancing reassurance and inspiring voters
Another key theme explored in the podcast is the delicate balance between offering reassurance and inspiring voters. While the Labour Party's cautious approach and focus on reassuring voters on issues like the economy and national security have gained support, there is also a recognition that they need to go beyond reassurance to truly captivate and energize the electorate. The podcast acknowledges the difficulty in striking this balance, as the party needs to manage media perception, respond to Conservative criticism, and avoid being labeled as profligate with public money. However, it is emphasized that inspiring and giving the electorate a positive choice is crucial for Labour's success and to counter voter apathy and cynicism towards politicians.
Keir Starmer's former chief of staff Sam White and The Guardian's Political Editor Pippa Crerar are two figures who have arguably played as big a role as any in turning around Labour's electoral chances. Pippa broke the Partygate story that engulfed the Tory party for many months, while Sam was working behind the scenes to make Labour look like a government in waiting. Sam and Pippa join us in the studio to talk about partygate, if there's a path back for the Conservatives, Labour's strategy, and how Keir Starmer hopes to govern.
The Power Test is a political podcast where each week Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika bring the biggest and most difficult political issues into focus and put fresh ideas to the test to see if they are capable of winning popular support and delivering real change in government.
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