The New Statesman: politics and culture Keir Starmer loves Britain the most
Sep 30, 2025
Keir Starmer aims to reshape British patriotism, delivering a stirring speech amidst flags from across the UK. The discussion touches on his political conflict with Nigel Farage and signals of anti-racism during his address. The panel debates the omission of the two-child benefit cap and implications for future budgets. Additionally, they explore tactics around economic stability and the revocation of indefinite leave policies, all while navigating potential backlash in the political landscape.
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Starmer's Speech Worked As Theatre
- Keir Starmer's conference speech succeeded as a well-delivered vision-setting moment for Labour.
- The speech used visual symbolism (flags) and a clear enemy to unify delegates and create momentum.
Enemy Framing Buoys Party Unity
- The conference gave Labour an enemy figure (Nigel Farage) to define itself against and mobilise supporters.
- That enemy framing helps temporarily silence leadership speculation but may not last beyond conference buzz.
Education Target Embraces Apprenticeships
- Starmer announced a new target: two-thirds of young people should go to university or take a gold-standard apprenticeship.
- The shift signals class-politics messaging and an attempt to value vocational routes alongside degrees.