Best of the Spectator Coffee House Shots: The inside story of Labour under Starmer
Feb 8, 2025
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.
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Starmer's Voice Coach Lockdown Row
- Keir Starmer's voice coach, Leonie Mellinger, inadvertently caused a lockdown row.
- The revelation stemmed from a single sentence and picture in Maguire and Pogrund's book.
Starmer's Approach to Politics
- Starmer is dedicated to winning at all costs and learns from mistakes to achieve victory.
- He's a slow learner but makes swift and brutal corrections, as seen with Sue Gray.
Starmer's Break from Corbynism
- Starmer initially aimed for broad unity but realized he had to distance himself from the Corbynistas.
- This realization was key to securing his leadership and subsequent policy shifts.
