That is a complex and highly relevant topic, as Keir Starmer's political style, often dubbed "Starmerism," is currently under intense scrutiny for its lack of clear direction and numerous policy reversals. How much do you know about Starmer's political approach since becoming Labour leader, and would you prefer to focus on his core political philosophies, or the specific policy reversals (U-turns) he has executed? Overview of Keir Starmer's Politics Starmer's politics, referred to as "Starmerism", is broadly characterized by a pivot away from the previous era's left-wing movement and toward a politically cautious, centrist, and fiscally conservative approach. 1. Core Political Style and Ideology: • Aversion to Ideology: Starmer is described as having an "allergy to ideology," preferring to be a "prime minister who rolls his sleeves up and gets stuff done". This pragmatic style has been criticized as being "insipid and vacuous" and lacking a discernible long-term "overall narrative". • Political Foundations: Starmerism is intellectually founded on three rough ideas: the Common Good, Securonomics, and Progressive Realism. His political style is often likened to a barrister dealing with issues sequentially. • Centrist Shift: His strategy, developed with his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has been described as "Reform UK-influenced, socially conservative, fiscally cautious and focused on rightwing pensioners and 'working people'". This positioning is viewed as a significant break from Corbynism, which favoured state solutions over markets. • Organizational Control: The current Labour leadership views party unity as something "enforced through control," rather than cultivated through dialogue. This centralisation of power and marginalisation of left-wing voices speaks to his determination to distance the party from the prior era. 2. Key Policy U-Turns and Shifts in Position: Since becoming Prime Minister, Starmer's pattern of changing course on significant policies, which began before he took office (such as abolishing tuition fees and the £28 billion green spending pledge), has continued. Policy Area Original or Recent Stance The U-Turn/Shift Winter Fuel Payments Labour MPs previously attacked Tories for cuts to this vital benefit. Starmer's government announced a £1.5 billion cut that would affect ten million pensioners. He later "unravelled the policy for the vast majority of people". National Insurance (Tax) The 2024 manifesto promised not to increase National Insurance, basic, higher, or additional income tax rates, or VAT. Chancellor Rachel Reeves raised National Insurance by 1.2 percentage points and reduced the threshold at which companies start paying it. This was criticized as a "straightforward breach" of the manifesto. Nationalisation Pledged to nationalize energy, rail, water, and mail. Junked many of these public ownership pledges. Labour's top team is now offering to hold the door "wide open" for the private sector, including in the NHS. International Aid Promised to restore aid funding to 0.7% of gross national income. In February 2025, Starmer announced removing nearly half the development budget to pay for defence spending, taking British aid spending to the lowest level in history. Two-Child Cap Personally promised to undo the "inhuman" and "obscene" benefit cap. Rowed back on this commitment; the cap is "here to stay". Gender Previously stated: "trans women are women, and that is not just my view – that is actually the law". Changed his stance after a supreme court ruling on the Equality Act. His spokesperson confirmed Starmer now believes that, under the Equality Act, a woman is a "biological woman". House of Lords Pledged to scrap the House of Lords. This was soon reversed, arguing constitutional change "drains energy". These policy shifts contribute to the widespread feeling that Starmer's strategy has been "tested to destruction" and lacks a convincing rationale for the electorate. Would you like to discuss how his struggles relate to the rise of Reform UK and immigration policy, such as the debate over small boat crossings? NotebookLM can be inaccurate; please double-check its responses.
