Coffee House Shots: The inside story of Labour under Starmer
Feb 8, 2025
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Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund, co-authors of "Get In: The Inside Story of Labour Under Starmer," dive into the tumultuous world of the Labour Party. They discuss the fallout from Keir Starmer’s controversial voice coach and a clandestine dinner involving Michael Gove. The duo unpacks the party's leadership transition after Corbyn and the strategic pitfalls faced by Starmer. They also explore the nuances of 'Starmerism' and the ethical dilemmas in pursuit of political success, revealing a candid look at ambition and loyalty in politics.
Keir Starmer's leadership style highlights a conflict between pursuing electoral success and maintaining relationships within the Labour Party.
The authors reveal the challenges in capturing genuine insights from Labour members as they grappled with the party's identity transformation post-Corbyn.
Deep dives
Line-Up for Upcoming Live Event
The upcoming live event at the Emanuel Centre in Westminster features a lineup of prominent speakers, including Michael Gove, Casey Balls, Kate Andrews, and special guests Robert Jenrick and Jonathan Ashworth. The discussion will focus on pressing political questions, such as the Chancellor's potential to reshape the budget during her initial spring statement and the implications of Trump's first 100 days. Additionally, they will address the likelihood of reforms impacting upcoming local elections. Tickets are available for attendees eager to engage in this political discourse on February 26th.
Insights from 'Get In' Book
The authors of 'Get In' share experiences from writing about the Labour Party's efforts to reshape its identity post-Corbyn. They highlight the challenges they faced in obtaining candid insights from party members as they navigated the complexities of governance and internal dynamics. A notable revelation includes Keir Starmer's reliance on a Shakespearean actress to refine his speech delivery, which unintentionally drew attention to potential breaches of lockdown rules. This incident underscores the intricacies of managing public perceptions and political narratives within the party.
Keir Starmer's Political Strategy
Starmer's approach to leadership reflects a commitment to winning, often at the expense of personal relationships within his party. The narrative reveals a tension between his initial desire for inclusivity and a growing realization that he must distance himself from the past influences of the Corbyn era. The authors illustrate how Starmer's political strategy evolves, particularly after setbacks in early governance, emphasizing his willingness to learn from mistakes and make decisive changes to his administration. Moving forward, questions remain regarding how his convictions will shape the future political landscape of the Labour Party.
This week saw the publication of Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund’s new book Get In: The Inside Story of Labour Under Starmer. It’s the second in their tell-all series of books on the Labour Party’s ups and downs and has caused quite a stir in Westminster. From the revelations about Keir Starmer’s voice coach causing a fresh lockdown row to Michael Gove’s secret dinner with Morgan McSweeney, there is a high-density of scoops and disclosures. Can Labour blame the failures of their first 100 days on Sue Gray? And is there such a thing as ‘Starmerism’? Patrick and Gabriel sat down with Katy Balls and Michael Gove to discuss.
Produced by Megan McElroy and Oscar Edmondson.
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