Coffee House Shots ‘Superadvisers’ and the Starmer paradox: who really runs No. 10?
Dec 6, 2025
In this discussion, Tom Baldwin, journalist and biographer of Keir Starmer, and Tim Shipman, political editor at The Spectator, dive into the complexities of Labour's current strategy. They explore whether Starmer should shift left to reclaim voters from the Greens and Lib Dems. Baldwin critiques the influence of 'super-advisers,’ arguing they distract from the government's message. Shipman highlights the struggle Starmer faces in communicating his values and recommends tapping into personal stories to resonate better with voters.
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Labour Losing Ground To The Left
- Labour risks losing more voters to the left than to the right, driven by rising Green support under Zach Polanski.
- Tim Shipman warns this leftward bleed is numerically significant even if rightward losses matter more seat-wise.
Migration Messaging Can Backfire
- Tom Baldwin and Tim argue some migration stances cost Labour support on the left without attracting the right.
- Baldwin cites a study showing the 'islander strangers' speech lost Labour votes to progressive parties.
Align All Four Electoral Wheels
- Align Labour's four electoral 'wheels' — traditional, new, progressive and blue — to win broadly.
- Tom Baldwin urges cohesion across these strands rather than a single-sided strategy.
