The News Agents David Blunkett on how Keir Starmer can save his premiership
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Nov 14, 2025 David Blunkett, a former senior Labour cabinet minister, shares insightful perspectives on Labour's current turmoil and Keir Starmer's leadership challenges. He contrasts the party's chaotic state with the meticulous preparation of 1997, highlighting the need for a clear narrative and effective team-building. Blunkett stresses the importance of communicating the fiscal impacts of Covid borrowing and calls for a targeted welfare approach. He also emphasizes the significance of adapting to social media's influence on governance and expresses cautious optimism for Labour's future.
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63 Years Of Labour, Still An Optimist
- David Blunkett reflects on 63 years in the Labour Party and surviving political highs and lows.
- He attributes enduring optimism to long experience and commitment to public service.
Preparation Was Misread As Policy
- Labour lacked thorough pre-government policy preparation before 2024 and confused vague ideas with concrete plans.
- That shortfall left the new government scrambling to assert control over a civil service with its own inertia.
Translate International Wins Into Domestic Momentum
- Replicate international credibility domestically by building a strong Downing Street team with clear domestic policy leadership.
- Generate a focused narrative explaining the government's actions to cut through social media froth.