Herald Express: Local elections reaction

Writing this on Monday, it is entirely possible that by the time this article is printed we could be in the midst of a Labour leadership contest. Indeed, in the aftermath of crushing local elections for Labour – which saw them lose nearly 1,500 councillors in their worst performance on record – the messaging coming out of Number 10 has only fanned the flames of discontent.  

I saw one Labour MP say that despite their expectations being on the floor, the PM had brought a shovel. Another, in reaction to Starmer planning to speak about the UK’s relationship with Europe, said crushingly it seems that even when the PM is trying to save his job, he cannot say anything interesting.  

All of this seems to signal the end of Starmer’s time in Number 10, with the UK set to have its sixth Prime Minister in a decade which began with Theresa May promising to provide the country with strong and steady leadership...  

Judging from what I hear on the doorsteps here, few people will be sorry to see Starmer gone. But it is worth exploring why this mild-mannered man, who turned Labour’s fortunes around, has plummeted to approval ratings that would make Liz Truss blush.  

Have a scan of the papers and you would think this comes down to Starmer’s inability to turn 2024’s loveless landslide into a genuine relationship with voters. This may be true, but it is only part of the story. Failing to address the other part could see the next PM meeting a similar fate to Starmer. 

He came into office promising change – and implied within this was a promise to make politics boring again, after the chaotic end to the Conservatives’ term in office. On reflection, it is obvious what a poor reading of the room this was.  

The public didn’t want boring. They wanted – and needed – hope.  

After 14 years and the decimation of public services, the country was crying out for a new approach, yet what Starmer has delivered so far could feasibly be called continuity Sunak – more of the same if not quite as harsh.  

It was clearly not what the electorate was asking for as it delivered the Conservatives their worst election performance in parliamentary history.  

And Starmer’s approach to Europe encapsulates all of this.  

A majority of voters now believe Brexit was a disaster and more than half want to rejoin the EU. Whether it is layers of red tape strangling business, border delays or workforce issues, Brexit’s impact is hard to escape. Though arguably its greatest effect is buried beneath the surface of Treasury budgets.  

A recent study found that Brexit is costing the UK about £4.3bn a week – roughly Scotland’s contribution to the economy. Why would any Chancellor, of any political persuasion, want to pass on that cash?  

It is telling that Starmer is now raising the Europe question once again – perhaps as a last-ditch attempt to save his own job.  

But if the Business Minister is to be believed, a reset with the EU would still occur within the government’s red lines set out during the 2024 election – and those very red lines mean little real progress can be made. 

To me this just reeks of desperation, because it begs the question why has the PM waited until the last minute to act? Why didn’t he pursue a much closer relationship during the much-trailed EU/UK Summit last year? Why stick so doggedly with the red lines that are holding us back?  

It points to the lack of ambition that has been endemic in this Labour government from day one. Surely the PM should have realised the scale of transformation that was needed?  

Whoever takes the reigns next – be it Streeting, Rayner, Burnham, or anyone else – they should commit immediately to opening negotiations with the EU on a customs union to deliver the positive change our country deserves.