The New Statesman | UK politics and culture

Have the Tories given up on the culture wars?

Feb 23, 2024

Analysis of Labour's reduction of a 28 billion pound pledge for a green industrial transition, challenges for the party leader. Tories' shift towards attacking Starmer's trustworthiness. MPs discontent with party strategy on culture wars.

15:06

Creator website

Episode guests

Rachel Cunliffe

Freddie Hayward

Anoosh Chakelian

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Labour faced criticism for u-turning on £28 billion green pledge, raising doubts on consistency.

Conservatives may shift focus to undermine Starmer's trustworthiness, highlighting Labour's division and weakness.

Deep dives

Labour's 28 Billion U-Turn on Green Industrial Transition

Labour's 28 billion yearly pledge for a green industrial transition, initially announced at conference, faced criticism due to subsequent watering down. The Shadow Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, ultimately made a significant U-turn, reducing spending plans by almost 75%. This decision raised questions about Labour's consistency and financial responsibility, potentially impacting future election strategies.

Introduction

4min

Analysis of a Policy Decision and Its Communication Fallout

3min

Challenges and Tensions in Labour's Future Governance

2min

Tory Election Strategy Shift

6min

Analysis of MPs' Discontent and Party Strategy in Response to Culture Wars

3min

"I've heard speculation that the Tories' election strategy is not really about "culture war and wedge issues" or evoking fear of Labour spending plans. It's about showing Starmer as indecisive and untrustworthy, and the Labour Party as divided." - one listener writes in to ask if the Conservatives election tactics have changed in recent months.

Another listener writes in to ask if Labour "have got away with the 28 billion thing"; this being the u-turn the previous promise to spend £28 billion a year on kickstarting a green industrial revolution if they win the election

Anoosh Chakelian, Britain editor, is joined by Rachel Cunliffe, associate political editor, and Freddie Hayward, political correspondent, to answer these questions.

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The New Statesman | UK politics and culture

Have the Tories given up on the culture wars?

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Labour's 28 Billion U-Turn on Green Industrial Transition

Conservative Election Strategy Focus on Keir Starmer's Image

Conservative Strategy Balancing Economy and Culture Wars

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts